The wife and sisters are asking me what I want for B-day. I have been using a baitcaster(black max) for about 6 months now. I want to upgrade to a coupl eof nice baitcasters but dont know alot about any of them. Any thoughts on a good one would be nice. Looking around spending a few hundred dollars for two. Would like to get two different ones to compare. Any spots to save some cash would be nice as well.

I got a Shimano Curado 201 E7 as a gift and it's pretty nice and a great reel. It's the left handed model cause I prefer left-handed reels even though I am right-handed. Right hand model is the 200 E7. Nice reel too. I think they run about $179 at Academy. So it's not inexpensive but it's not in the $300 to $400 range and just in between and a nice reel for the price.

Also the Shimano Core 50MG is great too but that's about a $350 reel. Depends what you want to spend.

skeet reese revo

shimano chronach 50 or 100 series

Pool the reel money and just buy just one good reel. Use your old reel as your second reel. Shimano or Daiwa.

The Revo STX good all around choice.

I have been going back and forth between the Shimano Curado 200e7 and the Abu Garcia Revo STX. They are both around $180-$200. What do ya'll think is the better reel. I fish for bass only. I throw alot of plastics and some hard baits. I have three Shimano Sahara's spinning reels and really like them.
Oh ya, Thanks for all the advise so far.

Also, what brand of 7' rod does most folks use with theirs?

I have one stx on a BPS Johnny Morris Elite 7'MH for t-rig, one premier on a 7' BPS Nitro 7'H for jig pitching and flipping and others on anywhere from 6.6' to 6' Fenwick to Allstars so really what type action and weight do you prefer for the technique. I kind of started liking the BPS rods because they are close and I haven't had a problem with warranty/exchange. Their middle to upper end rods seem to be a good quality for the $.

I'd get one of the new Quantum Tours, not sure the model, but its the one with the carbon fiber handle.

I have over 30 Shimanos. Half of which are Curados, 10 or so Citicas, 2 50mgs and others. Ive tried other reels but keep going back to Shimano.As for as rods GLoomis and Falcon Cara. If you fish once or twice a month the Citica with Falcon Cara MH spooled with 12lb P-Line 100% floro should get you off to a good start.

Shimano E-7 handsdown.........

Agreed...and I do own an STX also. The Curado will do everything pretty well and will last a long time. Shimano parts will be available for a long time and their service is top notch. It's not just about the reel.

Any of the Revo's. I like all from the S to STX.

Curado E or Citica E... I had 3 Revo's earlier in the year and sold all of them and bought more Shimano's....