Baitcast reels

[bigfish1]

I've been using bait casting reels for 40 years and have used many great brands. I'm not a Shimano fan but I might have to try another one in the future. Currently both of my trolling rods have line counter bait casting reels. I've really enjoyed the digital Abu Garcia and it is more accurate than my Daiwa. My Pfleuger Patriarch has been a good reel, but I could never get the maximum distance on my casts with it. However the drag is probably the best of any reel I've ever used. My favorite reel has been the Quantum PT Energy reel that's over 20 years old. The reel speed I use match with the type of lures I'm using. I like a lower speed reel with jerk-bait type cranks, higher speed for fast moving sinking baits like lip-less cranks or Spinnerbaits.

 

[Melrose]

I second bigfish on the Quantum PT Energy. Heavy but nice, mine spent the night on the bottom of lake Powell on an unfortunate night. I retrieved it the next day, dried it off and lubed it up, good as new after. I do also have a big Revo, the folks in Sconnie say it can't be beat for big fish and baits. I have heard the Cabelas/Johnny Morris reels are made by Daiwa and rebranded? Great thread by the way! I am going to be in the market for a reel soon, have been curious about the newer digital reels and have read mixed reviews

 

[P Dub]

Just curious what brand of baitcasters you guys or gals that use them prefer and what gear ratio you like?

I have a mess of them in my quiver and by far my favorite setup is a Shimano BFS XG paired with a Dobyns Sierra light/fast rod. I run 7lb fluoro on it. Great small jerk bait/finesse rod. Can chuck light baits accurately such as single tail grubs, Ned rigs, weightless senkos etc. a blast for smaller fish and a great test of angling skill when you hook the occasional 4 pounder. Not recommended if you get in a boil of fat stripers.

 

[KYKevin]

My new baitcaster has a led line counter and clicker and a button that will let out about 5ft at a time. Used last trip trolling for second pole , clicker would let me know I had a fish . Also on speed reeling it lets you know when you are close to the boat . I really like it . I troll with baitcasters.

When I troll a single Hyper striper, I use a slow count with my baitcasters, I like egg sinkers, and when I start seeing fish on the graph, I'll drop to bottom and then come up through them. I have a line counter reel my brother gavve me, but its heavy, and sets in my shed. If the fish are deep, I add another egg sinker. I don't troll a lot, so it works for me.

 

[BrianID]

I've owned many different brands of baitcasters(Pflueger, Penn, Shimano, Quantum, Abu Garcia, etc). There are so many good options now, I could be happy with many of them. Currently I mostly using Quantum, Abu Garcia and Shimano. Personally I like high speed baitcasters for most of my fishing. Gear ratio on most of my reels is around 7.3:1 to 8.1:1.

 

[RandyAustinFishing]

I am a Lews guy for casting reels. I have many different models and speeds all are consistent, durable and dependable. All around great reel TP1. $199. I use different speeds for different techniques. Fastest is the Hyperspeed 9.5:1 I like when using a technique such as flipping not for moving the bait but for taking up slack quick on a bite to get a good hookset.
I use a 6.8:1 for crank bait and 7.5:1 for most other techniques.