Baitcasting reels have a reputation for being difficult to master in terms of casting skill and often snag due to casting backlash. Nevertheless, they remain one of the trusty weapons of all serious freshwater fishermen, along with a good spincasting rod and reel combination. While there are dozens of high-quality baitcasting reels on the market today, Abu Garcia, Diawa, and Shimano tend to dominate the reviews.
Abu Garcia BCX Series
The Abu Garcia BCX family of baitcasting reels price out at under $70 and yet provide a lot of performance and toughness for the money. The use of stainless steel ball-bearings and an anti-reverse feature make handling an otherwise often tricky baitcasting reel a lot easier. As with all baitcasting reels, read the directions carefully. Learn how to use a baitcase reel completely before trying it in the field.
Shimano Calais
All of the Shimano baitcasting reels are phenomenally beautiful looking in design, but under the hood you’ll also find an amazing 4x8 digital control system. The Calais model, priced at $400, sports a microchip to help you set up the reel’s options; simply open the Shimano escape hatch and tweak the microchip to match your fishing environment and casting techniques.
Diawa Aggrest
Although relatively new on the market in 2010, the Diawa Aggrest is getting terrific reviews from pro fishermen. Lightweight and built for fast retrievals, the $170 Aggrest features anti-backlash technology and a 32-inch-per-crank reeling speed.
Shimano Callisto
A very affordable product from Shimano, the Callisto features backlash prevention controls and “Super Stopper” technology, a feature that provides a backlash-proof way--better than using your thumb on the line--to arrest the lure in mid-air so that it can be targeted with precision. The Callisto is available for under $50.
Abu Garcia Ambassadeur CS Pro Rocket
Without a doubt, the CS Pro Rocket is one of the best selling baitcasting reels around the world. Priced at over $170, the Pro Rocket reportedly has the best drag set up available on any baitcasting reel. This is a baitcasting reel built for doing frequent battle with big, angry, thrashing fish.
Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 7000i SYNCRO
One of the best of the Abu Garcia line, the 7000i is about as high-tech as baitcasting reels get—and at a premium price of around $150, it had better be. The SYNCRO version of the 7000i has the drag controller built into the handle, so in a tough fight, you won't have to take your hand off of the reeler to adjust the drag. The 7000i SYNCRO has a bevy of special features that make it one of the most advanced reels available.
Diawa MegaForce
The Diawa MegaForce is very reasonably priced at under $60 and comes with Diawa’s special “Twitching Bar,” which allows for the retrieval of six inches of line with only a push of a button, leaving your other hand free.
References
- "Roland Martin's 101 Bass-Catching Secrets"; Roland Martin; April 17, 2008
- "The Bass Angler's Almanac: More than 650 Tips and Tactics"; John Weiss; April 1, 2002
- “Spinning and Baitcasting (Complete Guide to Fishing)”; Jens Plough Hansen; March 2003
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