Looking for a new baitcasting reel.........need help, advice please! Hi all, I am looking for a new baitcasting reel which will work well with 20lb Fluor. I ordered and received a...

OldBassGuy Loc: Temecula, CA

Hi all,

I am looking for a new baitcasting reel which will work well with 20lb Fluor. I ordered and received a Shimano 200k and was not a happy camper! After numerous brake adjustments and tuning with an excess number of backlashes decided to return it.

All advice is welcome, thanks.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

OldBassGuy wrote:

Hi all,

I am looking for a new baitcasting reel which will work well with 20lb Fluor. I ordered and received a Shimano 200k and was not a happy camper! After numerous brake adjustments and tuning with an excess number of backlashes decided to return it.

All advice is welcome, thanks.

Garey, I set up a Crankbait rod last season and am very happy with it. I put a Lew's Speed Spool LFS reel on a St Croix Mojo Bass Glass rod. I've used 17lb and 14lb Vanish Transition Fluoro on it and it casts excellent with both. I run the magnetic break set in the middle, and just make minor adjustments to the spool tension for different lure weights. The LFS is a moderate priced reel @ around $100. When I was deciding what to get, Chuck 56 highly recommended the Lews and he was correct. If you're looking to spend more, try a Lews further up the price line.

OldBassGuy Loc: Temecula, CA

Thanks Fred, is that the Tournament Pro?

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

OldBassGuy wrote:

Thanks Fred, is that the Tournament Pro?

No Garey, it's the entry level Speed Spool. It's 1/2 the price of the Tournament Pro. I've yet to get myself to spend $200 on a reel (tightwad at heart) LOL.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

They make a Super Duty model that holds a little more line, and might be better for 20lb fluoro.

NoCal Steve Loc: Dunnigan, CA

OBG... Fred's recommendation is solid. I used to have two before the great ex Wipeout of 2022. My sons liked those reels a lot. If you decide to spend more on the higher priced Lew's reels you won't be disappointed. For 20 lb test line I see Fred already beat me to the punch with the Super Duty recommendation. I use a Diawa Lexa for that size and now that I learned how to use it am very happy with it. Give it a look.

OldBassGuy Loc: Temecula, CA

Thanks Fred, I actually have a Lew's Tournament Pro that I bought a couple of years ago and have been pleased with it. Think they were cheaper then. They are now $169, so I might just get another one. And the pole I will be putting it on, are you ready..........St. Croix Mojo. Will check out the Super Duty before buying it.
Appreciate the feedback my friend.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

OldBassGuy wrote:

Thanks Fred, I actually have a Lew's Tournament Pro that I bought a couple of years ago and have been pleased with it. Think they were cheaper then. They are now $169, so I might just get another one. And the pole I will be putting it on, are you ready..........St. Croix Mojo. Will check out the Super Duty before buying it.
Appreciate the feedback my friend.

Awesome buddy. I'm gonna setup a new Froggin' combo this winter. Decided on a 7'4" Mojo, Heavy /Fast, with a Tatula 200. The rods rated for 1.5oz baits, so I'll probably throw some big Swimbaits and maybe an A-rig with it as well. The only fun thing about winter is buying new gear.

bottomcoon Loc: Tahlequah, oklahoma

OldBassGuy wrote:

Hi all,

I am looking for a new baitcasting reel which will work well with 20lb Fluor. I ordered and received a Shimano 200k and was not a happy camper! After numerous brake adjustments and tuning with an excess number of backlashes decided to return it.

All advice is welcome, thanks.

Hello Old Guy. This fall I treated myself to a new Shimano Chronarch & a St Chroix rod. I have been a devout old school reel person with a large assortment of Abu, Shimano & Diawa reels. To date this new Chronarch is the best money I've spent on a baitcsting reel. Within the last year I have updated my reels with low profile high speed reels from Abu Garcia, Lews & Diawa plus one 13 Fishing Concept reel. All have been a pleasure to use with the 13 fishing reel coming in right behind the Shimano Chronarch. I've also mated the reels to new rods with St Chroix being my favorite. I'll be driving your way Wednesday on my way to visit my son in Dotham, Al. I'm taking him a new 6 ft G Loomis for fishing from his canoe. Good luck with your purchase. Lots of good equipment out there & I hope you catch the fish of a lifetime. Tight lines.

OldBassGuy Loc: Temecula, CA

bottomcoon wrote:

Hello Old Guy. This fall I treated myself to a new... (show quote)

Thanks Botttom, probably leaning towards the Lew's, but will be waiting for a few more ideas from the FS regulars.

OldBassGuy Loc: Temecula, CA

NoCal Steve wrote:

OBG... Fred's recommendation is solid. I used to have two before the great ex Wipeout of 2022. My sons liked those reels a lot. If you decide to spend more on the higher priced Lew's reels you won't be disappointed. For 20 lb test line I see Fred already beat me to the punch with the Super Duty recommendation. I use a Diawa Lexa for that size and now that I learned how to use it am very happy with it. Give it a look.

Thx Steve, Super Duty is looking pretty good. Want to use it like for like Fred was talking about, heavier swimbaits, etc. We have a lot of grass at my primary lake so need something heavier to pull through it.

NoCal Steve Loc: Dunnigan, CA

OldBassGuy wrote:

Thx Steve, Super Duty is looking pretty good. Want to use it like for like Fred was talking about, heavier swimbaits, etc. We have a lot of grass at my primary lake so need something heavier to pull through it.

That's pretty much the only thing I throw on my Lexa...A-rigs, Glide baits, Big Swimbaits, 3 oz spoons, 6 and 8 inch top water baits, 1-2 ounce punch jigs, and such. As far as frog fishing goes I think you'll do better using one of your normal reels spooled up with 30 - 50 lb braid. Most frogs are pretty light so it will cast better. I know that you and I both believe we catch more fish with lighter lines but, it's not an issue fishing frogs.

bottomcoon Loc: Tahlequah, oklahoma

Fredfish wrote:

No Garey, it's the entry level Speed Spool. It's 1/2 the price of the Tournament Pro. I've yet to get myself to spend $200 on a reel (tightwad at heart) LOL.

Go for it Fred. You owe it to yourself. What did you work all those years for? I had never spent what that Chronarch cost but I'm so pleased I'm thinking on buying another one. This summer a fishing buddy wanted me to try his Revo winch while
we were fishing heavy grass & moss. The reel worked great with all the heavy pulling. I will probably wind up with one of them. Good luck, Fred.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

bottomcoon wrote:

Go for it Fred. You owe it to yourself. What did you work all those years for? I had never spent what that Chronarch cost but I'm so pleased I'm thinking on buying another one. This summer a fishing buddy wanted me to try his Revo winch while
we were fishing heavy grass & moss. The reel worked great with all the heavy pulling. I will probably wind up with one of them. Good luck, Fred.

Thanks Coon. When I get relocated, and get my next boat, I'm gonna upgrade a bunch of my tackle. It will probably be the last time and it will last me till I'm pushing up daisies.

Mactuna Loc: Sacramento, CA

Penn has some real nice ones with great drag