Best reel for $120

Reels are the hottest topic for TackleTour. Everyone wants to know what the latest and greatest is and how they compare to the old guard. What's the best for light stuff, or what's your suggestion for heavy cover. Do we really need different retrieve ratios? It's all in here.
jonahsdad
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Re: Best reel for $120

Post by jonahsdad » Tue Mar 15, 2011 3:53 am

You can get Abu Garcia's Revo SX (new 2009 model) on Ebay for $100! They are still new in box.

ppFishing
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Re: Best reel for $120

Post by ppFishing » Tue Mar 15, 2011 6:20 am

if you don't mind used, pick up a used Curado 200E. Otherwise the Citica is a good choice.

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johnD
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Re: Best reel for $120

Post by johnD » Tue Mar 15, 2011 7:12 am

Citica $93 on ebay and Curado $143 can't beat that.imho

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21farms
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Re: Best reel for $120

Post by 21farms » Tue Mar 15, 2011 9:58 am

Trooper46 wrote:I am looking to pick up another bass reel this year and I am limiting the price to under 150, but idealy I would like to spend around 120. (Been spending too much lately).

Some reels that came to mind are;

BPS JM Black
Abu Revo S
Shimano Citica
Daiwa Tierra

What are some thoughts on the reels i mentioned? Right now I am leaning on to the abu baised on stats alone.
i've owned the last three plus a few BPS reels too (but not the JMs). the revo S is a tank and easy to cast but i never could get much distance out of it and the 80mm handle is just too small for my tastes. the daiwa tierra is nice but kinda largish in the hands and the design is getting rather dated (if you care about that). i have two citica Es and love everything about them except for the small handle knobs so i fitted them with core MGFV handles with those big, grippy septon knobs. if i were you, i'd consider the BPS carbonlite too...i have one and love the lightweight and good, all-around performance. personally, i'd avoid the 2009 revo SX...i had two of them and while the casting distance with them was phenomenal, i found them painfully finicky.

Trooper46
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Re: Best reel for $120

Post by Trooper46 » Wed Mar 16, 2011 3:50 pm

Was it the braking system you found to be finiky? It can't be worse than my toro can it?

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Buck2thPerch
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Re: Best reel for $120

Post by Buck2thPerch » Wed Mar 16, 2011 11:21 pm

Citica 200E. Its a Curado 200E with less bearings. Heck you can replace the platic bushing on the drive shaft with a bearing and its almost identical to the Curado 200E! Go a little further and repalce the Citica Handle with the Curado handle and you have the same bearing count as the Curado 200E!
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fishingandfords
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Re: Best reel for $120

Post by fishingandfords » Thu Mar 17, 2011 2:52 am

Buck2thPerch wrote:Citica 200E. Its a Curado 200E with less bearings. Heck you can replace the platic bushing on the drive shaft with a bearing and its almost identical to the Curado 200E! Go a little further and repalce the Citica Handle with the Curado handle and you have the same bearing count as the Curado 200E!
if you were going to do that might as well buy a curado and upgrade the spool bearing since the curado handle is $30+ plus the bearing for the shaft. the citica is a great reel but I will pick up my curado first

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Buck2thPerch
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Re: Best reel for $120

Post by Buck2thPerch » Thu Mar 17, 2011 3:56 am

fishingandfords wrote:
Buck2thPerch wrote:Citica 200E. Its a Curado 200E with less bearings. Heck you can replace the platic bushing on the drive shaft with a bearing and its almost identical to the Curado 200E! Go a little further and repalce the Citica Handle with the Curado handle and you have the same bearing count as the Curado 200E!
if you were going to do that might as well buy a curado and upgrade the spool bearing since the curado handle is $30+ plus the bearing for the shaft. the citica is a great reel but I will pick up my curado first
Yes absolutely true as "fishingandfords says. But, and here's the "BUT", if you do a little shopping around and or buy the Citica used $80 and brandnew $90-$100. The Drive Shaft Bearing should be about $5-$8 depending on quality ABEC3 should work. A good used CU200E Handle can be had for as little as, $15. Do the math and its well worth it.

Once in a while, I'll see a Citica 200E on Craigslist for $60. They go fast though.
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jonahsdad
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Re: Best reel for $120

Post by jonahsdad » Fri Mar 18, 2011 1:52 am

I just bought a Abu Garcia Revo STX-L yesterday for $129.99 !!! I know it's $10 over your ideal price, but I saved $70.00!!

FishEastCarolina
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Re: Best reel for $120

Post by FishEastCarolina » Fri Mar 18, 2011 2:12 am

I have two revo S reels and couldnt be happier. They are not flashy but they are extremely rugged and powerful. I use one for swimbaits and the other for misc use. It offers 19 lbs of drag if I am not mistaken so it can be used for just about anything.
new day the same way

angler96
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Re: Best reel for $120

Post by angler96 » Sat Mar 19, 2011 6:45 am

revo680 wrote:Shimano Citica!!
x2!!

jcat
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Re: Best reel for $120

Post by jcat » Sat Mar 19, 2011 12:31 pm

You will do well to choose either the citica or curado. Great products

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shakeyleftarm
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Re: Best reel for $120

Post by shakeyleftarm » Sat Mar 19, 2011 12:39 pm

Citica is the one.
If I can't catch it, it isn't worth catchin'

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Finnz922
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Re: Best reel for $120

Post by Finnz922 » Sat Mar 19, 2011 6:13 pm

The Citica is your best bet IMO. I have the Curado and the Citica and the Citica beats the Curado in casting distance. There are other solid reels out there for sure. Like the Skeet Reese. It just got and 8. something on a TT review. Take the rod you are putting the reel on and go to your local tackle store and try it out.

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zodiak311
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Re: Best reel for $120

Post by zodiak311 » Sat Mar 19, 2011 6:47 pm

ppFishing wrote:if you don't mind used, pick up a used Curado 200E. Otherwise the Citica is a good choice.
x2 A second hand Curado would definitely be your best choice.
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