$400 and under, what baitcaster are you buying?

Go! Prefer Daiwa or ABU.

$400 and under, what baitcaster are you buying?

Go! Prefer Daiwa or ABU.

Do $400 reels catch more fish?

I really like the quantum accurist. Now you have to open it up and adjust the breaking. But it casts a mile and is smooth for a price of $99.

Ask SW Parts about the upkeep on Daiwa reels. If you’re like me and I’m 90% sure you are, you will just have your group of high end reels and send them in every year or two and boom.... brand new reel. The Steez was my go-to but getting Daiwa replacement parts is a [censored] shoot and they recommended I go with another brand so I’m getting the higher end Shimanos and love the things. I thought the Steez casted further than anything but that’s because I didn’t own the Antares. That new Metanium looks like the cat’s meow but I don’t own one yet. My old Chronarchs are still some of my best casting reels and infinitely adjustable.

I have a whole sack of Abu stuff that I’m really frustrated with. The two Rockets still have great indications because of the speed but my MGX falls apart before the year goes by and all of my SXs and STXs won’t cast across my living room. The Premiers are okay but nothing like the Shimano and Daiwa. As Doc said, weight is getting more important to me the older and more arthritic I get and Shimano isn’t going to win in that category. I have found a strong correlation between weight and durability though which I guess makes sense. Magnesium parts aren’t as strong so they come at a price. You can over engage the drag on your MGX and hurt its casting distance where the Antares has as much drag force as you can pull with your hand and minutely adjustable.

Someone asked if the more expensive reels catch more fish and I’d say that they so much less frustrating than the lesser Chinese stuff. My Bass Pro reels lasted a year and watching it decline each trip was a hassle. Such a confusing but fun quest!

Good luck Chris.