I’ve normally bought mid range bait casters $100-200 range. My question is are the $300-500 reels worth the money? What are the real benefits gained? Which brands have best warranty service? I only get out maybe 3-5 times a month but usually out from sunrise to sunset unless I’m frying then around 3-4pm. I love almost all styles of fishing so would want one to be multi function.

No, there are very good reels in the $100-$200 range, which all the pros use too.

Yes, Daiwa Steez. A friend told me long ago those reels wouldn't stand up to my abuse. Switched from Shimano Calais to Steez. Dunno how long ago, maybe 10 yrs. Best reels I've ever used, on this side of the pond. To this day.

Just like any other fishing equipment, you can choose your entry point and price tolerance. The BEST is simply that. But you reach the point of diminishing returns at about $200-$230.

Choose the BEST reels that fit your style of fishing and budget. You'll never be disappointed! Any reel in that $200 range will serve you well!
fouz

Fished just about all day. Caught 3 fish and ruined 2 reels. These were around $100 reels. Bought one of them new yesterday. The other I’ve used about a year. I’m probably gonna upgrade a little when I replace these.

The quality you can get in some reels under $100 is incredible. I think that today's $200 reel is yesterday's $400 reel. I don't think I would ever spend $500 on a reel but then again I never thought I spend $200 either.

Most reels around the $200 mark are going to be good. I like Shimano the most. I just bought a Daiwa Tatula SV and it is nice so far. But when it comes to customer service there is a big difference. I'm not sure how Daiwa is on warranty replacement but getting parts, even trying to buy them without warranty, is impossible. I am still creating new words about them while waiting 8 months for parts! Shimano is quick and easy for parts or service...

I have a pretty good assortment of mid range and higher end reels, I like the Curado just fine but the Chronarch is just a little better and when you get to the Metanium and Aldebaran I can tell a pretty good difference in quality and the way the reel functions. I have a couple upper end Daiwa reels that are nice. I also have Several Lews' super duty reels that I use for more extreme type techniques like Frogs, Carolina Rigs and big Swimbaits. I think the most important thing with any reel is proper maintenance by a qualified person. I like high quality so to me it seems worth it to spend the extra money. To each their own.

My highest end reels are Daiwa Zillion. I mostly use Daiwa Tatula SV TW and I really don’t see a difference. They are both really good reels. That being said I probably won’t buy a reel any higher than the Tatula unless I find a great deal on Zillions or if I get lucky a Steez.

Agreed! For a 5.6 oz reel the Steez holds a ton of line & is the best reel I have ever used. I have two that are 10 yrs old and have been used hard and are still my Go To reel for most every application. That's how you can tell if they are worth the money or not.

So many of the hi-end super-lite reels hold about 50 yards of line. That really bothers me. I like to put on 20# line and make a long bombing cast with a 1 oz jig & still have some line on my reel.

The new Shimano K is a great reel for the price point and holds a lot of line as well. They are smooth & cast well. Shimano hit a home run with this one. It is just a little heavy compared to the Steez. You don't notice it until you get to the end of the day and you are a bit more mature than you used to be. Then that 2 oz makes a big difference.

I've got 4 Lew's baitcasters that were all around $150. For me, can't imagine wanting anything more.

I have Over 20 daiwa steez 6.3 ratio and japan only 8.0 ratio and 10 lews hypermag. I would Choose the lews Hyper mag if I had It to do over. The lews cast further and control backlash just fine. The daiwa can’t even cast 20 tatsu good enough to use it. The t Wing hurts the cast Apparently. The lews can be bought for 209 each from American fishing legacy if you contact them.

Lews all the way just got the TI expensive yes.. But real smooth...

I bought two Ti’s. The handle retaining nut stripped on both of them within a few days. Handles would literally fall off on a fish.

I have some of the older “Team Lews Pro” reels and they are beasts.

As for high end stuff, like the Steez reels? They are bulletproof proof. I have a bunch of the older 103 Steez reels. They cast so much better than anything else, that I just can’t understand the need for a t-wing. I have two Zillion TWS reels, I can’t figure out what to use them for...they don’t cast well, are heavy, big, and overall just a let down.


For the money, even at $600, the Steez (older) were hard to beat. Still are.

How did you ruin two reels?

I have not used the Steez so can't comment but had a bunch of the Shimano Calais several years back and sold them all and went to all Curado 200E's. I lucked into 22 brand new in box about 3 years ago which was quite the find. The Calais definitely felt smoother but was also HEAVY compared to the Curado. From what I have seen in these new reels, there doesn't appear to be a substantial difference between the $200 reels and the $500 reels. What have never made sense to me is a $1,000 spinning reel.