Reel to go w/ 6' ML Techna AV

[Fin Addict]

I picked up a Fenwick Techna AV baitcasting rod the other day. It is an AVC60MLF. Looking for a reel to go with it and think I have settled on a Shimano Curado 100B. Any other suggestions or anyone had experience w/ this reel? Would like to stay under $150 for the reel.

[REW]

There are lots of great reels out there that will work vey well for your rig.
You can spend any where from $20-$500 for your reel.
Do you have to spend the $500 - No.
Should you spend more than $20 - Probably.

Get a good reel with at least 4 and preferably 6 ball bearings.
Get a low profile, with a flipping switch and perfect anti reverse.
If you do a lot of casting -- one of the reels that has the larger center spool allow you to make much longer and easier casts.

Get a reel, that has at the very least one of the new centri..
braking systems.

There are a couple of reasonable units on the market that combine both the centri.. brakes as well as the older style mag.. brakes.

There are lots of reels out there that meed these requirements that are in the $60-$90 range.

Unless -- you use your reel -- 300 days a year -- it really doesn't seem to make a lot of sense to spend over $100 for a reel.

If you have ball bearings on all of the key components - and the other features are in place -- no need to pay extra.

Take care

REW

[steve(IL)]

How you are going to use it might influence some answers. I saw you went with the ML - if you're going to cast a lot, the Curado is a good reel. I use bait casters almost everyday of open water in my front yard for Bass. I've got one Curado, a couple Diawa PS2-5B's and a bunch of Quantum 501 & 301 types(all left hand crankers). They all work great. If I didn't have the Shimano, I wouldn't miss it. It works great, but so do the others. I'd submit that technique - rod loading/acceleration
rate - has more to do with your casting success/lack of trouble - especially with light baits - than the reel. Understanding the various adjustments on a reel is key also. Bass guys have this all scienced out - I've learned a bit.

Are you going to use it for other than casting?

[Fin Addict]

Reel will be used primarily for vertical jigging and secondarily for casting. My priorities for this reel are 1) Balanced with the rod (many larger reels are much heavier on the crank side) 2) smooth drag 3)Durability 4)Light weight 5) Casts well 6) Price. The Calcutta 50 felt almost as good on the rod but is it much better in other areas to justify the extra $ and slightly reduced balance. I am open to other brands etc but for the jigging application, balance and weight have pushed me toward the bantam size and lower profile.

[Johnnie Candle]

My choice would be the Turnament Pro 3000 from ABU Garcia. This is everything you would need and then some. I love the low profileon my 66 MF Thecnas for Bottom Bouncing. It also casts very well on the rare occaisions I cast with it. The drag is incredible and it is one of the smothest reels I have ever used. The fliping switch makes it an awesome bouncer reel. You will not be disappointed.

Good Luck and keep the line tight,

Johnnie Candle

[ddt]

Rew==how about the name of your choice,
like 4=5 B,flip switch, low porfile,
thanks. dd

[steve(IL)]

Older Shimano Bantums can still be found and they are very compact. I have 1-2 of those. Like the Diawa, they have a back reel switch which may come in handy some day ;-). Bass Pro makes a 6.5 oz model - Rick Clunn or something like that. Extremely light and compact(warning - I did see a ton of these in the re-mfg'd bin at Bass Pro clearance - whatever that means).

If it were my money - I'd look for a Quantum EX501 or similar on sale(normally $79 I think). I'd put the money I saved over the Curado towards more stuff :-).

[Dave in Mpls]

Steve(IL)

I have a Quantum EX 500 which I have had for a number of years. Is the EX 501 you are referring to the same reel, but left hand? Also, do you know if the EX 500 is still available? I haven't seem them for a couple of years.

Regards

[steve(IL)]

EX-501 is left hand. I still see them around - don't know if it's been discontinued or not. I'd have similar confidence in whatever they're marketing today in that price range.

[REW]

A good value reel, that meets all of your requirements is the Mitchell Coppertop. This reel won best of show at lat years European Sports fishing show. Give one a try, I suspect that you will like it.
This reel runs for about $60.

Take care

REW

[Hoss]

Curado is a nice reel. I have one. Its not the last reel I bought and that should tell you something. The last reel I bought has a flipping switch and adjustable brakes on the outside - you dont have to take the cover off to adjust the brakes. $110 reels should have these features I believe. At the time I bought the reel I felt it was the best at that time - for the money - and it still works perfect, however I couldn't put out that kind of cash now and not get the improvemnets that are on the market today. Short story - its obsolete.
Hoss

[Hoss]

Anyway, Quantum Accurist ACS - super reel with all the goodies and don't forget to get the 6.2:1 gear ratio. Makes those buzzbaits fly $90.00.

Hoss