Baitcast Reels and their Lower Weight Range Limits

[islandbass]

I was just thinking that this could be helpful for newbies looking to getting their first baitcast reel(s) and not be surprised that some reels may not fare as well as others the lower a lure's weight is.

So making things equal, let's leave out line and rod action by noting that these two are given factors that need to be considered by the angler and assume that the right line and rod are used for the baitcaster.

What is your lower weight limitation with the reel(s) you use for 1/4 oz and below?

I know all of us will have different answers, but the information given could give others a good idea of what to expect from different reels.

In my case:

Curado D tosses:
1/4 oz - Easily, no problem
3/16 oz - Easily, no problem
1/8 oz - It can do it but maybe 70-80' max before trouble

Pflueger Trion
1/4 oz - Easily, no problem
3/16 oz - Getting Iffy
1/8 oz - Asking for trouble, especially with wind

Round Abu
1/4 oz - Okay, definitely excels at 1/2 oz and greater
3/16 oz - Getting iffy
1/8 oz - Asking for trouble, especially with wind. Forget about it.

CardiffA
1/4 oz - Easily, no problem
3/16 oz - Fair
1/8 oz - Getting Iffy

Curado BSF
1/4 oz - Easily, no problem
3/16 oz - Easily, no problem
1/8 oz - It can do it but maybe 70-80' max before trouble

P.S. I regret that I wasn't sure where to post this thread. It's bass related in that these are the reels I use when bass fishing and that many newbie bassers who want to learn how to use a baitcast reel might come here to ask about them. Please move if necessary.

[BassFishingWA]

At the moment I use a Daiwa Alphas 103L from Japan. But in the course of this week my new Shimano Metanium Mg7 2007 Model will arrive and I'll edit this post.

Daiwa Alphas 103L:

1/4 oz: Easily, no problem
3/16 oz: Easily, no problem
1/8 oz: Getting iffy

regards
Merit

[Bigbass Dez]

Island wazzz up man ! Dude it's like this the best reel and the most bang for your buck right now is without question the "quantum PT energy" .. it runs $170.00 @ sportsmans however it comes with a $50.00 rebate .. and i got my rebate back in lees than two weeks (no bull) ..to pay $120.00 for this reel is soo worth it , i love mine . Great control, easy settings and powerful, not a hugh fan of the shark skin color but hey let it shine baby ! Buy it ! Use it ! thank me later ... BBD

[Shad_Eating_Grin]

I've got a Calcutta TE201DC that can cast 1/8 ounce with no problem. Kinda pricey though.

[fishaholictaz]

I just picked up a reel at Sportsman's it is called a Twitchin designed by Diawa it is great so far I got 14# mono on it and it casts 3/8 pretty well I was surprised!! My other reels have already been mentioned I haven't tried 1/8 yet pretty small for the pound of line I got for any reel!!

[EastsideRedneck]

I 've got a Daiwa Megaforce w/ Twitch'n Bar (the $60 unit in grey/red) that will handle:

1/4.... Like a champ
3/8.... Like a champ
3/16... Like a chump (half the distance)
1/8.... It can be done, but not recommended

These are based on using 50# Power Pro braid (10#? dia.)

I had the Pflueger Trion and returned it. I can vouch for the fact that anything less than 1/4 and you are going to be sitting on the sidelines for a good part of your day if you don't throw it in the drink first.

[WCCT]

Island wazzz up man ! Dude it's like this the best reel and the most bang for your buck right now is without question the "quantum PT energy" .. it runs $170.00 @ sportsmans however it comes with a $50.00 rebate .. and i got my rebate back in lees than two weeks (no bull) ..to pay $120.00 for this reel is soo worth it , i love mine . Great control, easy settings and powerful, not a hugh fan of the shark skin color but hey let it shine baby ! Buy it ! Use it ! thank me later ... BBD

Amen to that:thumleft:

[fishaholictaz]

I 've got a Daiwa Megaforce w/ Twitch'n Bar (the $60 unit in grey/red) that will handle:

1/4.... Like a champ
3/8.... Like a champ
3/16... Like a chump (half the distance)
1/8.... It can be done, but not recommended

These are based on using 50# Power Pro braid (10#? dia.)

I had the Pflueger Trion and returned it. I can vouch for the fact that anything less than 1/4 and you are going to be sitting on the sidelines for a good part of your day if you don't throw it in the drink first.

I think that is the same one I have

[JWerner]

Check out the article on tackletour.com It compares the Daiwa Steez and the Shimano Core. I picked up a Core this last Winter and am very happy with it. The article, if I remember correctly, really spoke highly of the Steez in its castability with light baits, but it comes with a BIG price tag.

[SPARKY101]

I used a guy's zillion and he had on a 1/8th oz jig and i was tossin it at least 20-30yrds no backlash and fairly accurate for him just saying hay try this,never have tried it before either was impressed

[Brianh]

Most of the pro's do not use that light of weights on baitcast reels, because they can't afford to have backlashes during the day. It is an issue of casts=$$$. So, the few that I know personally use the high end reels, but they keep their magnetic cast control fairly high, to avoid getting backlashes in the wind. I personally would rather cast something that light on a large spool spinning reel with heavier line if I had my choice. Say a 3500. Anyway, some of the smoothest casting reels you can buy are the Daiwa's, TDZ, Steeze, and high end Shimano's. Not only do they cast well, they are also light. PLEASE be sure that if you are using heavy line, do not pull directly off the face of the spool if you are snagged. It will ruin an expensive baitcaster in short order. Seriously. Take the line and wrap it around the the base of the spool, and then pull. If you do not do this, all of the pressure from pulling is transfered right down to the small spool seats and shaft. The more the $, the better the reel.......up to a point (Ito).
Brian