I need to finally replace my old Curado

What is the recommended bait caster these days?

Daiwa Tatula. Mine has never backlashed.

If you're wade fishing, the Lew's custom lite is amazing. A bigger reel that is also good is the Lew's tlt1sh.

Lew's is the new standard. Way better than Shimano reels. I'll never go back.

What specific Lew's reel would you boys go with for throwing paddle tails with 1/16-1/4 oz jig heads, and what braid do you like to put on your reels? Might also throw some topwaters with it.

Recommend me a mid-tier non budget busting rod to pair with it.

I need to get a good bait casting set up, all I've got these days for the salt are spinning rods, but have been doing a few trips a year with a buddy of mine in Corpus who loves to wade fish. I mostly fly fish off our skiff so just haven't had a need for the set up.

I purchased a Lew's BBN when they first came out. It never worked right. The spool lock engaged in the middle of the cast. I have Shimanos and Ambasadeurs from years back and four Tatulas. I prefer the Tatulas.

I have evolved to my Daiwas being my favored reels

is the "computer system" in the curdados very good? or is it just sales gimmick?

csmit26 said:

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If you're wade fishing, the Lew's custom lite is amazing. A bigger reel that is also good is the Lew's tlt1sh.

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How does it compare to the SLP? Looks like it's about 150 bucks more for the custom lite.

What rod would you recommend for my needs (see post above)?

Thanks!

Don't know your budget, but Waterloo HP Lite in med-light is pretty great. Their salinity in the same setup is pretty good and about half the price.

I have both and prefer the Custom Lite SLP's simply because they are lighter. The custom lite is about an ounce less than the tlt1sh. Paired with a lightweight rod it makes a difference when you are fishing all day. My favorite rod to pair with both reels is a waterloo ultra mag. You can pick the stiffness depending on the size lure you are using. I primarily use a 6'6" 1/4-3/4 oz. They are expensive but I have had one for 8 years and I beat up a bunch of trout and redfish last week using it. i also have 15-20 lb suffix braid on mine with 20 pound fluoro leader.

Thanks! I'll go SLP and ultra mag.

Is rod length just a personal preference? My buddy suggested 6 foot 9. Not my area of expertise at all. Most salt water fly rods are 9 feet!

shalackin said:

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is the "computer system" in the curdados very good? or is it just sales gimmick?

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IMO they are a game changer.

This.

Im a big Abu Revo fan. For rods, mostly Dobyns.

what is the best all around ratio.... from reds to trout to bass...

All around is probably 7.0:1

I've pretty much transitioned over to Lews reels. I used to use pretty much only Shimano but I just don't think the high end Shimanos are really worth it anymore and they tend to be heavy reels compared to the Lews high end reels.

shalackin said:

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is the "computer system" in the curdados very good? or is it just sales gimmick?

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The DC and yes. They aren't really new, JDM for a while and over here off and on, but all I throw are the Curado DC's now and I even own a CH101D7.

It just makes fishing easier.

Drundel said:

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shalackin said:

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is the "computer system" in the curdados very good? or is it just sales gimmick?

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The DC and yes. They aren't really new, JDM for a while and over here off and on, but all I throw are the Curado DC's now and I even own a CH101D7.

It just makes fishing easier.

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I use both. DC are great for preventing backlash (especially for those new to baitcasters). Just don't try to feather the spool with your thumb like a regular baitcaster. It confuses the chip and will cause backlash. I use them on my crankbaits, bladed jigs. Basically anything you're going to sail long distances. I use the non DC for finesse techs, pitching, punching.

DC's have a skipping setting that works great for us less skilled at skipping docs.

I'm my opinion, Shimano is #1A with Daiwa being #1B. Lews isn't even in the same category. (I've had poor experiences with the only two Lews reels I've owned).

I picked up the 150DC this morning.

I've fished the blue Diawa coastal reels for several years and really enjoyed them but I was speaking with the Diawa rep at the fishing show yesterday and he told me that they discontinued making them. Their new bait caster is a black reel but I'll keep running my coastal reels until I can no longer get parts which he said will eventually happen.