It’s funny reading these threads and how different the reels we get are. My buddy bought some new curados, the $199 ones and he was casting twice as far as I was last weekend. I was using some Lews, bought 3 of them originally, one was junk from day 1. Seems every manufacturer has some junk being sold, I have 2 Shimano bantams, ones great and I hate the other one.

I have the same setup on windless days its no brakes and with some wind its one brake.

I use a Shimano Chronarch 150 XG spooled with 10# YO-ZURI Top Knot Floro on an old Made in USA Falcon Cara ST Weightless Worm Rod . I have all brakes off and spool tension set so a 4" weightless Senko falls like a rock. That set up works very well for me.

I think the overall system, rod, reel, line, feel and your unique casting technique makes the most difference.

Try some ceramic bearings. Many of my customers will tell you they help tremendously.

Yep... that will make a winner out of a lot of reels.

The Shimano Core 50mg was a fantastic reel. Shimano made fantastic reels in the past, Bantams, Core, Scorpion, B, D, E, K, series, so I tried a Metanium and what a let down it was compared to the current Daiwa reels out there for even less money. No comparison in performance. I sold the Metanium. Thinking about selling the Curado DC also. I will just keep my older Shimano's that work very well.

I ordered a team Lews hyper mag speed spool slp to try. I have some tatula elites but this will be my first higher end Lews.
Also ordered an Abu Rebo Ike just for s&g’s. Not for weightless stuff though.

Yeh. I tried to trade my Curado DC (upgraded bearings/added five also, and a carbon fiber handle) and the guy just said no….get me a $150 radio for my boat. Hahaha.

I’ll have to look at my frog rod…that may be what I have on it. It’s a newer model Team Lews Custom lite something or other. Was yours around $280? I think that is what I paid for it from TW. It’s a great reel, but I can’t use 65lb braid on it, cause I kept casting it to the bare spool. I had to down size to 50lb braid to keep from casting to the knot.

It’s this one but I got a way better deal on It through https://discountfishingdeals.com/

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Team_Lews_HyperMag_Speed_Spool_SLP_Casting_Reels/descpage-MAGL.html

The custom lite looks awesome too. Almost got that one. apparently they are both made for finesse. Only like 100yd 12lb line capacity. And I’ll be using 15lb. Hopefully It pairs up well with the little falcon rod it’s going on. It’s only 5 ounces.

I ordered a Dobyns champion 804c for c-rig and may try that Revo Ike on It. Not sure yet. I don’t throw c-rig much at the moment. Might change with better gear. May just put a Tatula I already have on It though and use the Revo for something else.

It’s this one.

BUT!!! this one is soooooo much better.

Hahaha.