With the Academy coupon, I'm looking to pick up a new reel. I have a 10yo Revo SX that I love, but am thinking about trying the Concept A or Curado K. I mainly fish bass but also plan to spend some more time in the salt going forward. I think the COncept A and Curado are both ok for saltwater right?

Thoughts?

Based on my experience the last few years and others I know who fish saltwater regularly, Team Lew's Lite or Lew's Custom Pro.

I would go with shimano. I have been very pro lews and they are great but the build quality is not the same as the new shimanos Ive recently taken apart.

jwr said:

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Based on my experience the last few years and others I know who fish saltwater regularly, Team Lew's Lite or Lew's Custom Pro.

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This.

jwr said:

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Based on my experience the last few years and others I know who fish saltwater regularly, Team Lew's Lite or Lew's Custom Pro.

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I've heard Shimano isn't nearly the quality as it used to be in regards to saltwater.... that's why I bought the concept 13 C instead of the Chronarch. The OB recommended that reel and the guys at FTU confirmed. No regrets whatsoever.

The Concept A or Concept Z?

I think it is the C but might be wrong. It's 2-3 years old so I am sure there is new model. Picture below


And just for the record, I don't drink ultra regularly... it was the only beer option with a screw top which is perfect for wading.

I can't justify the extra dough for Concept C or the higher end Lew's, went with Curado K and All Star Team rod

the cronarch g and Calcutta conquest 100's are in my opinion the best inshore reels on the market. I have lews lites, customs, concept a,e,tx and they are great but not as tight or well built. Shimano made some duds (chronarch ci4) but have really stepped their game up with latest offerings.

I have a Revo STX that I've owned for 10 years and only cleaned once. Still always reach for it over my Curado's

The white one in your pic is a concept c. The A is $50 less expensive. $230 vs $170. The concept z has zero metal bearings at $200. I fish 150 days per year and wade. I used shimanos exclusively for years. Their quality has deteriorated. I have several Lews and am unimpressed with them personally. People who take them apart and clean the Lews after every trip rave but ain't nobody got time for that.

So what do you run?

I just got the Lew's Custom Inshore SLP. I like it better than my Concept TX

I've got the Curado K and the Concept A. Both are great reels, at least in freshwater since I haven't used them in salt. They're both saltwater approved, but I wouldn't know from experience.
I feel like the concept a is a reel that can take a beating, be neglected, and work just fine. I use it with heavy braid and flip into heavy cover knowing that if I set the hook, that 22 lb drag isn't going to slip. A heavy flipping hook will bend out before it slips. Comparing cast/retrieve between the two, the curado is much smoother and casts farther. The curado has little to no play in the handle or spool, the concept a does. You'll definitely hear some crunching if you get a few grains of sand in the curado though.
Both are awesome, both have strengths and weaknesses depending upon the application. I say get both.

Curado: Sports car

Concept A: 4x4 pickup

Thegroupguy and i both run concept z.

$200 at academy, best bang for the buck especially in saltwater.

I fish 60 days a year - i bought the concept tx edition last year and have not cleaned it once. The Z seems to be the new thing and i am pleased with it.

Lews doesnt get the distance, and shimano burned that bridge for me years ago.