Best Baitcasting Reel on the Market!!

I had read thread after thread here at TFF and on other similar places about what people thought was the best baitcaster. Arguing back and forth over which was better, so I decided to see what else I could find online. What I found really amazed me. 2 or 3 said an Abu Revo. A couple more said a Daiwa Tatula. Another even listed a $49 off-wall-brand as the best and had another O-T-W brand also in the top 5. NONE of the reviews I could find even mentioned Lews and only one mentioned a Shimano. So, I concluded that people were given reels and paid to write articles that would sell a product, a typical marketing tool a friend in the Advertising/Marketing business who is also an avid tournament angler told me a few years ago. This, to me, is not unlike what the media attempted with the recent Presidential election. You tell people something many times over a period of time and they will tend to believe it to be true. It is a form of brain-washing! Was Hillary actually ahead in the poles?? LOL

What I know to be true is that no matter the product, sport etc... People tend to have their favorites no matter what it is. Most of this is experience based but does not mean a specific item, product, reel, rod, bow, gun, car etc... is or isn't the best. It simply boils down to a persons personal feelings toward something. I own 2 reels that are not Lew's, neither of which do I consider a better reel than a comparably or even lower priced Lews, but these are my personal feelings. They may be to the next guy.

The best BC Reel is the one your satisfied with. I like my Abu Garcia 6000 that I had filled with upgrades. I don't try to keep up with the Jones'es that's for sure. BTW I'm assuming you are talking about BC reels to be used in the Bays and not Offshore. You speak of the $49 reels, well...I have a few of those H20 Mettles and they are darn good reels IMO.

for the average joe, something within their budget, reliable, doesn't break down, just plain works.
I grew up with Abu's. That's what I've used for the past 30 years. Also been using Penn's for surf fishing for 15 years. I can break them down completely and put them back no problem.

Shimano has really fallen of the chart, they have a huge prostaff and market push. My group of friends has one of just about every pro staff from abu, lews, shimano etc. but personally I would rather pay retail for a tatula then get a season old shimano (3 month season in Canada) for pro staff cost. One word T-wing.. I don't pay extra for the r-types. not worth it to me.

I wish Penn would start making fresh water bait casters.

As stated in previous topics, I like my budget-priced H20 reels from Sports Academy. I have the Mettle M2, the Maxim and the Motive. I like them all, but I cannot say they are the best. I doubt there is a best.

...------

I'm not sure there is a best, there are many good ones. I prefer Lews BB2's but have hade great results with Revo's, Diawa Aird's, 5000 and 6000 round reels, and the one Maxim I picked up for $20.00 on sale has been pretty good. The funny thing about that Maxim is that I put it on my cheapest rod and since I have had it it has caught the biggest fish we have put in the boat every time we go out.

+1

Best reel I ever owned is a old Diawa Millionaire that didn't cost me nothing. A buddy gave it to me about 30+ years ago because he thought it was worn out. Most of the anodizing is worn off now but it still hauls them in big or little.

Best for the money is Lew's!

everyone has a favorite. mine is the older shimano curado, curado sf and chronarch sf. i have 4 of each and they are all over 15 yrs old, some over 20. still smooth as silk. i go through each one annually. of the newer shimanos, the only one i can speak for is the ceana or ceneca(?). i was given one and i super tuned it and it's as good as it gets. weather it will stand the test of time is to be seen.

the one you like,and can afford reels range from 20.00 to 600.00,if I had the money(I don't) I would buy the 600.00 one,that would be the best

The Shimano Metanium is the best reel I have ever used including the Calais. I don't own an Anteres.

I'm a bit disappointed. I thought you were going to tell me what the best baitcast reel on the market was so I could save up for it.

The best one I know of is a Japanese made Shimano. I think it is the Antares. Tacklewarehouse has them for $600.00. Best I ever handled, but you get a LOT of diminishing returns after about $150-$200 or so. Hope this helps, I am sure there are reels just as good at a lower price, but I am not aware of any at this time. Tight lines, keep safe and good luck.

Thad Rains

Are you asking about best reel regardless of price or best reel bang for your buck?

Whichever baitcaster has a built-in fish radar detector, then that's the best one.

If there isn't a baitcaster with a built-in radar detector, then there is no best baitcaster.

I still like my budget H20s, and if I had a $400 reel, "I" would still be fishing the same way, win some/lose some.

Landing them is always great, and getting skunked blows, no matter the reel and rod!

...------

The best reel is a question with a lot of answers. First off what are you fishing for. Then what type of water and structure are you going to be dealing with. Then you come to a world of various personal preferences as for size and type of fishing that you will be doing in the sense of what sort of gear ratio will work best for you.

LOL, that is how I ended up with a building that is just stuffed full of rod, reels and tackle. I generally am most familiar with the ABU line of reels so I will use them for examples but I am well aware that there are other very fine brands out there. I just love the smaller reels like the older ABU3600C for working smaller lures, especially top waters like a Zara puppy. For rattle traps I like the middle sized reels like the ABU 4500 C4 high speed. For bigger lures and bigger fish I want a full sized reel like the ABU 5500C4. I catfish a lot and guess what; I use an ABU 6500C3. If I was fishing for monsters I would use the ABU 7000C3. I also have a couple of ABU Eons that I use for white bass and crappie that cast very light lures very well.

Hi, my name is Dan and I'm addicted to tackle!! LOL. The best reel is the one that does the job you want it to do with the lest effort and makes you personally happiest. Price really isn't a big factor. As long as it is a quality product it will probably last you a life time. Some people like to own the most expensive in whatever they buy and others like a good deal above all else as long as the basic quality is there.

i agree for low profile reels the 07 Japan Metanium MG is the best ive ever used and I think ive tried them all.

I have dozens of reels in all price ranges, but to me, the best of them all is my Shimano Antares AR. It is the Japan market version of the Calais 100A. It is super smooth and does everything well. Looks amazing too due to its silver/chrome finish. I also agree with the above poster about the Metanium MG being a great reel. You can get used ones on ebay now for around $160!

My old 3 and 4 screw Abu's are still winchin'em in
I have acouple with the V-spool upgrade from the 80's
Best reels (passed down 2 generations)Ive ever owned

My favorites are the Daiwa Steez, and the Daiwa Tatula SV CT, followed by Lews Super Duty, BB1pro and BB1. I also have some older Curado E and Citica E Shimanos that I like as well as the Lews reels. I don't care for the newer Shimano I series.

The reels I use MOST are the old Greenie Curados, the B series reels are almost indestructible, but getting hard to find some parts for, but tey have lasted for over 18 years w/o little problems. I occasionally see them for sale on eBay for less than $100, but to each his own. I LOVE the B5 reels for all my CBing. They just flat out WORK for all CBs. Hope this helps. I ALSO have a few Lews reels and like them pretty well, as well. Tight lines, keep safe and good luck.

Thad Rains

I have 4 of the old Shimano Curados that are over 15 years old that I will never get rid of unless they blow up or get stolen. Had one serviced earlier this year by Kevin Smith of Shamrock Rod and Reel Service and it works better now than brand new.
For a good value when I was working at Bass Pro Shop I looked into the Pro Qualifier reels and bought a couple for under $ 100.00 and they are really good smooth reels. Only draw back is the thumb bar is positioned where it is uncomfortable for me for flipping so I use them for moving baits and they have worked great. Don't know if they are a 15 to 20 year old reel like the Curados.

I have 2 ambassadeur 5500c s that I got out of layaway from the Nacogdoches Walmart in 1975.

I paid $42 for each which was a fortune at that time for an SFA student.

I landed a 51lb. Blue Cat on one of them.

I have acquired several others over the years plus some 4500c s, 6500c s, 1500c s, and 2500c s.

The 2 original reels are still in use and in my boat right now.

With the proper care, they will indeed last a lifetime!