Home Forums Fishing Saltwater Inshore reel recommendations

Looking for a new baitcaster reel. Inshore and bass. Recommendations ?

Shimano Curado 200, not a bad compromise for the money depending on size of inshore fish. Big enough for any freshwater Bass.

For the money you cant beat a Daiwa BG

Agreed, I've got a couple I use for inshore salt water. Had them around five years. Rinse them off and they're good to go. Never a problem.

Looking for a baitcaster not spincaster

I've always used Ambassadors 5000-5600c

For under $250 fresh or salt, I'd recommend the Daiwa BG. I've used a bunch of reels in that price range and unless you're specifically trying to save weight, the BG performs as well as anything.

Shimano Calcutta is the benchmark.
Quantum iron and blue runners are good for the $$.
Penn Squall are great reels.

I've become a Lews fan. Bought their Classic Combo, an inexpensive fresh water reel on a 6.6 rod. Used it more than 18 months several times a week in salt water. Caught everything, almost, that swims inshore and it is still going strong. These were something like $70 in the store but were on line for $40 shipped. I bought three more because these are basically throw away items when they wear out.

Also have their more expensive inshore series reel. It MAY last longer and has more bearings and different cosmetics, but when actually using I see no difference.

Lew's Speed Spool LFS baitcaster is hard to beat for the money. You can often find them for less than $100. I got one earlier this year from Cabela's for $75 and it works as well as baitcasters I've got that cost a lot more. Check them out on youtube. They get some good reviews.

Anyone has any experience with the Shimano Curado ?

Got four, two Bantams I've been using since 1998 &99. A 50E since around 2012 and a 200K I got on sale last year. No problems with any of them. Never used them in saltwater though. I'd think they would be ok as long as you rinsed them good after using for that.

I fish inshore and nearshore almost exclusively with bait casters and have a bunch of them. The best I’ve found are the Lews custom inshore. They’re phenomenal reels. I’ve got 6 I’ve been running for about 5 years now and have caught hundreds of reds and snook, some tarpon, and have even used them for grouper on wrecks. I wish I had bought more because they haven’t had any more left retrieve models for years, seems they only make one right option now and retrieving with your dominant hand is stupid.

When I started with bait caster's all I could get were direct drive right hand reels. Used them for years before I ever saw the first left hand retrieve. Found a left hand ABU a couple years ago and tried it out. Very awkward to say the least! Strange as all my spinning reels are left hand and np problem at all.

As for favorite, I'm a long time ABU fan. But price kept going up and got to where I simply can't afford them anymore unless I find used ones. Joes here in Oregon went under years ago and looking at reels I picked up a Daiwa Millonaire and it has been one really good reel! Then reading a guy trashing the new Kastking reels, I couldn't believe anything was that bad. Looked them up and for $40 figured I'd find out for myself. Got a Rover 40 and it has been one very nice reel. In fact because of it I've got a Kastking UL spinning reel and two low profile casting reels, my bull head reels. Not ne bad word to say about Kastking! I'm thinking there are a bunch of really good reels out there today but no idea the life span of them. Should be about five years or so, so we can justify buying new reels! My first ABU was a 5000 and if lasted 30yrs then lost in a house fire. Not to bad I guess. Have a 2500 ABU and a 6500 and both getting close to 25yrs now. Both smooth as can be!

I think you're right about the number of good reels out there today bait caster or spinning. I've got one of those $40 Kastking bait casters. Don't know how well it would hold up for steady use but the few times I've used it it worked fine. Seems like a good value to me. One good spinning reel for the money is the $30 Shimano Sienna. I've had a couple of those I used for several years for fresh & salt water. About the only maintenance I can recall on them was to rinse them good after using in salt water. Gave one to my son three years ago and he's used it once a week since then with no problems.

I bought a couple of Kastking spinning reels last year and they have worked great. My oldest son turned me on to them.

I bought a couple of the Piscifun Alijoz 300's when they were about $60. Very good reels for the price and they have served well as my muskie reels. They, and the 400 series, are right around or a little over the $100 mark now.

I have a nice condition Shimano Calcutta 200 available

I would say that the Shimano Calcutta 100 is very capable, but the 200 nice. The 100 is definitely a bit easier to palm if you have smaller hands.

Them and older Shimanos/Lews speed spools
from the pawn shops. Haven't had any reds or
anything beat up any of my "pre-owned " yet.
Most only need a good douche.

They do great in s. LA Terrebonne parish and
Calcasiue and port Arthur
Port O Connor, Lavaca bay, all up and down
Matagorda on this side of the G.O M.
Intercoastal W.W.