I need opinions on the best reel for the flats. A light action reel that will cast plastics a long way and hold up best in the salty conditions.

cuardo

curado...old green one if you can find it...

Yep..

That's all I ever suggest. The Green Bantam 200 with #12 - 15 Ande Backcountry.

You can snatch one on Ebay for like 50-85ish.

-Z-

If you are willing to spend a little extra you could get a Chronarch. They cast very well and hold up well in saltwater.

Chronarch 50MG. It can't be beat for casting small baits. It is also one of the lightest reels out there...

I also have a Curado SF, but it does not compare to the MG.

i second the chronarch 50MG

Chronarch 50 MG. . .and I will never go back to the curado after it

How about an opinion on the best spinning reels for the flats?

I had an old green curado but my truck was stolen out of the academy parking lot in Houston, took that, my 4 wheeler and my rifle, tackle box and wallet, dumped the truck 3 miles away. Will check into the chronarch. Thanks guys.

PS I hate thieves.

I'm usually a baitcaster, but to fish the LLM, my buddies converted me to spinners for most of the time.

Shimano makes the best spinner, the Stella.

But if you don't want to spend that kind of money, you should look at the Quantum Catalyst PTi series.

I've used two of them now for about 2 years and they're great reels.

Personnally I Like the garcia 6400 c best

I prefer baitcasters. I feel that i can work a topwater better with a bait caster.

As soon as the left handed version of the Core hits the market, I'm getting one of those and my green Curado will be on Ebay.

I fished with a guy that had the new Shimano Core on a Laguna rod yesterday.

Oooo lordy!

Amazing.. All I have to say. I will still keep my Curado's for backup and buddy setups but after casting the Core.. One can't even compare the older curado to the new core.

Now I will never recommend a 50/51mg to a WADE fisherman but if you are pitching lures from a boat, maybe, MAYBE, high maint. reel. They still corrode, doesn't matter if they are coated or not. Also the Core is an MG as well BUT it has teh A-RB shielded bearings which would be great if you were wading and the reel got dunked.

Sides the new Cores carry the 5 year Shimano warranty, woo hoo!

Wade fishing the flats - Older Bantam Curado - Chronarch 100B - Core in no particular order.

*** If you want a spinning setup then the Penn AF is the way to go.


-Z-

Garcia 6400 c

A 6400? Is not what I would call a light action reel per the original posters requirements.

HOWEVER, the NEW Revo is! Ya'll really need to look at the new Inshore series by Abu.


-Z-

The Stella's are VERY expensive... one major problem their having with them is the weak Bail. It just won't hold up under steady use.. 3-in one year is enough...
The REVO's are a very nice reel and strong along with a user friendly design and profile, the only negative feed back I have on them is the same with ALL ABU bait casting products.. The Paw and Worm gear are too weak and cross thread very easy...

The new STEEZ by Diawa or the MG50 by Shimano would be the logical choice.. The only concern with the 50 is the Magnesium spool
unless they've coated it with a Salt resistant anodize, corrosion will occur.
JM2C's

I don't wanna start trouble..

But there is absolutely no REASON to ever use the new Daiwa Steez in saltwater.

Daiwa will NOT honor the warranty if the reel has been used in saltwater, plain and simple. Shimano will warranty theirs for saltwater.

Now, I have heard Daiwa might release a saltwater specific version of the 153 in a year but until then LEAVE all Daiwa Sol's, Fuego's, Tierra's, Steez's at home if you fish saltwater.

-Z-

Just checked out the Shamino Core at BPS and at $350, it had better danged catch a fish on every cast. Am I being cheap or what?

That is a little above my price range.

Yeah, the Core is a little high priced but you know the old saying – “you get what you pay for”.

I live in Houston and fish the coast just about every weekend. I primarily fish from a kayak, but that consists of jumping out of the boat and wading when possible. I put a lot of wear and tear on my equipment to say the least.

This kayak has a small hole in the bottom from being drug across oyster reefs. I have had it for two years. That should tell you how much I fish…FYI - Thats a Citica 200 in the boat. Great for tossing larger lures...



Having said that, I own quite a few reels and have had the chance to try out quite a few that I have never owned. My roommate (sponsored by American Rodsmiths) is a true believer in the Revo S. I have seen these reels put to the test and they really hold up well and probably cast farther that a Curado or Citica. For $129, it’s a great reel.

I am a Shimano guy. I have an old green Curado SF, a few Citicas (100’s and 200’s), and an MG. The MG is by far the best of the bunch. It has been through the trenches in the marsh, surf, bay, flats – you name it, it’s been there. I do clean my reels often (after each trip). I have had the reel for a year and have not had any issues with it. It is still as smooth as the day I bought it.

The Curado SF speaks for itself. It's my favorite reel for Bass fishing and throwing large tops on the coast. I have had it for about 4 years, and its still working like the day I bought it.

I do have to say that the Citicas are very good reels for the price. They are equal if not better than the old Curados. The Citica 100dsv was my go to reel before I bought the MG. The reel has a very small frame and it holds almost as much line as to Citica 200 because of the deep spool on it.

Go with the curado original,as pictured on my homepage--(www.putfile.com/rodngun)they are easy to take apart ,,easy to clean,,and hold up to saltwater for a long time--if shimano still made them I would own another 7 of them.....penns for the surf..