I need some "Reel" advise!

[HD]

See how I did that? Play on words!

But, seriousley...I need some advise on a good bait caster.

The closest place to me for buying a bait caster is Walmart...and they don't last!
Either the drags wear out' or the thing that slids back and forth to put the line on the spool evenly wears out (dunno what they call it)

Mostly they have Abu Garcia, Pinnacle and Shimono (sp). All between, anywhere from 45 to 65 bucks.
I usually go through 2 a season, and now the boy is getting into casting and his broke too.

We mainly fish for pike, but a bass now and then too. I'm not looking for the bigger bait casters like I have on my Muskie rods...More like the size of a bass bait caster, but it needs a good drag for pike.

What do you use? How much does it cost? Where can I get one? Do I have to spend a mint on a good one?

Any help would appreciated...Thanks!

[Fawkinnae]

HD - exceptionally clever use of words. By the way sorry to hear about the leg.

I have a Shimano Curado - not sure exactly which sub model because I think there is more than one. I have had it for 10 or 12 years. Still works great. Paid I think about $110 - 120. Mostly use it for throwing spinnerbaits and spoons and some trolling. Love it.

[Tyler Rother]

Bass Pro Shops Tourney Series is a good one to go with.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_104163_100003001_100000000_100003000?cm_ven=bazaarvoice&cm_cat=RLP&cm_pla=104163&cm_ite=productname_link

I like the new one I got this summer, easy to use and durable. Works well for bass/northern and does great for trolling 

[Bobby Bass]

Maybe you will have to shop the Hermantown Gander when you come up this way come Spring! That time of the year they seem to have a lot of baitcasters in the 60-100 price range and I prefer to put my hands on something before ordering  it. Quantum puts out several decent reels in your price range, I have a Accurist2 the gold reel you see in my videos and it has lasted three years so far with a lot of fish caught on it. Right hand retrive? Left is hard to find at most places.

[kenhuntin]

Hunter through ebay you can find alot of good old reels. I like ambassadeur 521 xlt plus which is not made anymore. Easiest spool change of any. I got one off there because my original disappeared. there are a couple on there right now rh and lh for $35.00 ihave put a lot of miles on mine and they last. Diawa also are long lasters. the shimano and quantums with all the bells and whistles are more things to break.
ps That part is the level winder

[HD]

Looks like I'll have to make a Gander run....

Yea, Ken....I got 1 Ambassador XLT...that's the only one that never wore out...dang, I wish they still made those!

[Go Big Red!]

I have a Quantum from 10+ years ago and I picked up the reel at Fleet Farm for $65.  I'm not super close to one but Beeker passes the Blaine store so see if he can stop in for you and check.  If not, I could sneek away Tuesday afternoon to the Brooklyn Park store and check.  I also live 10 minutes away from Cabelas so I can go as well.

[HD]

Welp...we just got back from Gander....

We picked up 2 Quantum GSX's.

We'll see how they perform in the up-coming season. 

[Bobby Bass]

Welp...we just got back from Gander....

We picked up 2 Quantum GSX's.

We'll see how they perform in the up-coming season. 

I think you will like them,    got to love that high speed 7-1 retreive. Will work good for all that "dead  water" you work. 

[HD]

Welp...we just got back from Gander....

We picked up 2 Quantum GSX's.

We'll see how they perform in the up-coming season. 

I think you will like them,    got to love that high speed 7-1 retreive. Will work good for all that "dead  water" you work. 

The only reason it's "dead water" is because of the way "you" angle the boat..... 

[HD]

The Gander we went to didn't have the Accurist reel you use, so I didn't get to look at one of those. And the Shimano Curado that Doug uses was 180 bucks...

So, we chose the Quantums

[Bobby Bass]

The Gander we went to didn't have the Accurist reel you use, so I didn't get to look at one of those. And the Shimano Curado that Doug uses was 180 bucks...

So, we chose the Quantums

I'm going to guess you didn't make it to the Gander up my way and take in the boat show at the same time? Curado are nice but I need more thean five months of fishing time a season to get them past the wife as " Cost effect" 

[HD]

Naw...we headed south to the one in Forest lake.

[crazyfish]

I use an Abu Garcia and I have never had a problem with it. I have used it for trolling and dragged in some 12 pounders on it. I have had my eye on the Quantum GSX, it will be my upgrade when my tax check arrives. I have had my Abu Garcia for 2 years and it still works great though.

[Fawkinnae]

...And the Shimano Curado that Doug uses was 180 bucks...

So, we chose the Quantums

Holy crap - I guess they went up.