I was looking at buying 2 new baitcast reels in the next month or so. It has been a few years since I bought new baitcast reels. I have a lot of the Abu Garcia round reels, an older Abu Garcia Orra SX. The Orra SX was the last baitcast reel I bought back in 2011.

I was looking at 13 fishing, Abu Garcia, Lews, and Shimano reels. Also are the Bass Pro Shop reels any good?
I have no clue as far as baitcasters go what to look for now days. What should I stay away from and what do I need to look for?

My budget is around $150ish per reel. Also any rod recommendations would be good as well!

Thanks for the help!

I'm a fan of 13, Shimano and Lew's for throwing arties on the flats.

In that price range I'd also recommend Shimano (SLX series) or Lew's (Speed Spool series). For rods I really, really like Temple Fork Outfitters Professional Series (~$100-120).

The Shimano Curado DC baitcaster is the best.

Revo X or SX are my go to reels in that price range. Tackle warehouse has a Revo Rocket SX on closeout right now for $149. I'm tempted to snag one.

Lews Lite has served me well with frequent abuse.
Lews Custom as well.

Have pretty much always been a Shimano guy, but read here or somewhere about the 13 Fishing Concept Z, bought one for me and one for my son, later bought him a different model (think the Concept Z is no longer made or wasn't in stock), and they are the best casting reels I've ever used.

I'm nowhere near the salt fisherman many on this forum are, but I like 13 Fishing Concept TX reels. I have both Shimano DC's and Chronarch G's and like the 13 Fishing better.

Never owned a Shimano in baitcasting. I have a Shimano spinning reel and it is very nice.

I was looking at the Shimano Curado DC as well. They were out of my price range, but now I am thinking about just getting one and a new rod for it.

I did forget to mention I would be using it both in freshwater and saltwater.

I really wish there was a store I could go to that has a place that you can use a demo reel and see how you like it. Dropping $250+ on a reel that I have never used is kind of hard for me.

Smoke_d said:

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I was looking at the Shimano Curado DC as well. They were out of my price range, but now I am thinking about just getting one and a new rod for it.

I did forget to mention I would be using it both in freshwater and saltwater.

I really wish there was a store I could go to that has a place that you can use a demo reel and see how you like it. Dropping $250+ on a reel that I have never used is kind of hard for me.

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That would be a great idea for someone to implement. Let you cast three or four even if in the parking lot or in a green space beside the store.

one safe place said:

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Smoke_d said:

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I was looking at the Shimano Curado DC as well. They were out of my price range, but now I am thinking about just getting one and a new rod for it.

I did forget to mention I would be using it both in freshwater and saltwater.

I really wish there was a store I could go to that has a place that you can use a demo reel and see how you like it. Dropping $250+ on a reel that I have never used is kind of hard for me.

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That would be a great idea for someone to implement. Let you cast three or four even if in the parking lot or in a green space beside the store.

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Every fly shop with a damn will let you do that.

The guy I fish some buddy tournaments with, who qualified for the Bassmaster Classic one time, fishes Lew's, Shimano, and Abu Garcia, and pretty exclusively uses Dobyns rods.

rather be fishing said:

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one safe place said:

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Smoke_d said:

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I was looking at the Shimano Curado DC as well. They were out of my price range, but now I am thinking about just getting one and a new rod for it.

I did forget to mention I would be using it both in freshwater and saltwater.

I really wish there was a store I could go to that has a place that you can use a demo reel and see how you like it. Dropping $250+ on a reel that I have never used is kind of hard for me.

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That would be a great idea for someone to implement. Let you cast three or four even if in the parking lot or in a green space beside the store.

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Every fly shop with a damn will let you do that.

The guy I fish some buddy tournaments with, who qualified for the Bassmaster Classic one time, fishes Lew's, Shimano, and Abu Garcia, and pretty exclusively uses Dobyns rods.

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Fished a Bassmaster Top 100 tournament and my day three partner was a guy who had won the 1986 Bassmaster Classic. I don't recall what reel or what rod he used but every one of them was exactly the same. I suppose the rods could have been slightly different in length and stiffness and sensitivity, and I suppose the reels could have had a variety of retrieve speeds but they all looked alike. I remember noticing that they did and then it dawned on me that for those top pros some of that was likely due to sponsorships plus all we did was flip and pitch the entire day, not a single cast beyond 12 to 15 feet I bet, so it wasn't like he needed a set up for spinner baits, crank baits, Carolina rig, etc.

AnScAggie said:

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I'm nowhere near the salt fisherman many on this forum are, but I like 13 Fishing Concept TX reels. I have both Shimano DC's and Chronarch G's and like the 13 Fishing better.

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Sounds like your crummy Chronarch Gs need a new home with me!

At one point, the 13 Fishing reels had a plastic main gear and people were complaining that bruiser redfish would trash it. For the saltwater fishing we do, we stick with Shimano or Lews. We cast a lot with artificials so weight, drag, and reliability matter most to me. YMMV.

Aggieangler93 said:

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At one point, the 13 Fishing reels had a plastic main gear and people were complaining that bruiser redfish would trash it. For the saltwater fishing we do, we stick with Shimano or Lews. We cast a lot with artificials so weight, drag, and reliability matter most to me. YMMV.

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I'm curious what y'all think about the origin TX like this one from amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/13-Fishing-Origin-Baitcast-Reels/dp/B0928KDKM9

Is this the model with problems? Or is the price low since it's an older version?

Sorry I can't help with 13 fishing questions. I don't fish their stuff.

I have Shimanos-Chronarchs and Curados and i like my Daiwa better

I have Daiwa Tatulla baitcasters. I've never had a backlash. I'm now looking at their Coastal reel for my next purchase. I just need to get off my rear and use them!

No problem. Hoping someone else might know.

Don't understand the hate for 13Fishing…

I've fished w Ambassador 5000's, the original green Shimano Curados and now with the 13Fishing TXZ's. We spend 25-35 days on water every year. We wade fish and throw artificials.

I switched to the 13Fishing TXZ a few years ago and never looked back. Reel is smooth and casts a mile. The drag is much stronger than the Curados. I'll have them cleaned once a year or after they get dunked (Anglers Anonymous in Katy). In three years I've had one bearing replaced in 2 reels. I would spend $40-$45 in parts every year cleaning/repairing the Curados.

I've had no issues with my 13Fishing TXZ's dealing w large redfish…. This one 33" and 11-1/2# on a wade…

Honestly I think any of the newer high end reels ($250+) are pretty solid as long as you keep them clean and out of the water…

BigHead 04 said:

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Aggieangler93 said:

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At one point, the 13 Fishing reels had a plastic main gear and people were complaining that bruiser redfish would trash it. For the sal****er fishing we do, we stick with Shimano or Lews. We cast a lot with artificials so weight, drag, and reliability matter most to me. YMMV.

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I'm curious what y'all think about the origin TX like this one from amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/13-Fishing-Origin-Baitcast-Reels/dp/B0928KDKM9

Is this the model with problems? Or is the price low since it's an older version?

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This is the newer version of the TXZ I fish with.

13 FISHING - Concept TX2 - Baitcast Reels - Includes Skull Cap Low-Profile Baitcast Reel Cover
https://a.co/d/0PlNge5

I would image the difference between a $75 reel and a $250 reel is the bearings and gears…. I know I've never had to replace the bearings in my TXZ's… still smooth, quiet and cast a mile…