New Reel (Shimano or Lews)

[walleyemaniac]

I have had great luck with Shimanos. But the last one I bought didn't seem to hold up very long. Lew's used to be excellent, but haven't had one in a long time. My last reel purchase was the Diawa Aird 2500 Spin. Have it on a 7' Carrot Stick. I couldn't be happier. So I'm saving my pennies for a Diawa Lexa Baitcaster.

[The Legend]

I think you'd be happy with either brand. I'm personally a fan of the Curado E series. I just spoke with a Shimano rep at the Bassmaster Classic Expo and he showed me the new Curado for 2014. It has been totally redesigned (Inside and Out). My first impression from handling it is that it's going to be a smooooooth beast of a work horse that fish should fear!

[12VoltMan]

When you get into the higher priced reels, they should all be good. I've been using the Curados for years and loved them all; however, recently I upgraded my three jigs rods to the Chronarch CI4s and found them to be comfortable, lite and wonderful for casting all weights. My advice: get the CI4.

[TimE]

I have never fished a lews but have fished shimanos all my life until the curado g series. I can't say anything about them that hasn't been said already.

Once I got rid of the three g models I bought I went to abu revos and was satisfied. Some say they are the same as lews? I can tell you that I bought two shimano symetres last summer and they are JUNK! I plan on replacing them with pfluegers.

I hope the new curado is a quality reel, I really believe they have some qc issues lately.

[TimE]

My next baitcaster will likely be a daiwa tatula but once the new curados are available to the minions, I will definitely give them a fair shake. I have a few greenies and e models and couldn't be happier with them!