The Sickest Casting Reel? 

I miss when Jon used to geek out and just talk equipment.

I spooled it with 8 LB test mono for lighter lures, gave it some practice casts and found that it did cast well ru-vid.comUgkxSlytCJqozTF7EbdP4LWP-HUXf9WRDJ0e , except that the anti-backlash setting had to be turned up almost all of the way to keep the "overcasts' ' down. I disassembled it, and found that if I potted some "shim washers" behind that anti-backlash magnet assembly, it got the magnets closer to the spool without rubbing, and I could get better control with about a 6 to 7 out out 10-Max setting. I also noticed that the handle shaft had some internal end play, maybe only 2 or 3 thousands of an inch, but it's still noticeable. If the anti-backlash and shaft tolerances were "tightened up" this would be a fantastic value. I've only used it for 4 days of fishing in a month's time, but I plan on keeping it.

H2O Express Mettle Reel from Academy is $30 and is one of my favorites. Casts far and never breaks

I love this video! So much time and effort went into all the little nuisances that make this vid so enjoyable. Your hard work ISNT going unnoticed :) keep it up

Being into bass fishing for a year now I have not dropped top dollar into any set up as of yet. My favorite reel so far is the pro qualifier from bass pro. It's a little bit heavier but performs consistently and requires very little tuning when changing lures. Has good feel and for 100 bucks it's leaps and bounds ahead of many cheaper reels and similar priced ones. Recommended for beginners to the enthusiasts on a budget. Great video Jon.

This makes me want to spend money... But now i'm in college... so nah lol

Jon B is this still your sickest reel? Curious if it's still your favorite, what technique/lures you have been using it for, what line have you liked the best on it? Keep up the great videos man

Shakesphere agility. My first bait caster and it is very versatile I use it for froggin, cranks, and all kind of baits even finesse.

I had the zebco 202 for 12 years,until last Christmas when I got upgraded to the lew's custom speed spool.I love my new reel and I hope u anglers who have a pole and tell like I did get an upgrade,don't stop fishing

My favorite now that I use is the Lew's MCS Tournament MG Speed Spool. I paid around $120. The first baitcaster is a Shimano Bantam Mag Plus PMP150XSG 5.1:1 ratio. I bought this back in the early to mid 80's. I still have it, and it works great. It is on my Fenwick Eagle GT 7' Medium action cranking rod.

Daiwa Zillion Coastal. Heavier than most reels in the price range but it's sturdy, no loose parts, it feels solid and it is. It is by far the smoothest reel I've handled and still fishes perfect when I bought 4 years ago

You can try Metanium DC version. Once you use this reel no turning back and hooked on it and you will love DC braking system

shimano citica 201e. my first and favorite casting reel.

Jon- My first bait caster I bought in 1991 was a Shimano Bantam Magnumlite SpeedMaster. First reel of its time in a 6:1 ratio. That was huge for the 90's. I paid $129 back then, which was a lot! Now I own a Shimano Curado 50E (low profile) 6.4:1 ratio. Thing is smooth as silk! Two weeks ago, I just got my Shimano Chronarch CI4+ for a steal! It's a 7.6:1 rato. It is basically the same as your Metanium. They both weigh the same and all my paperwork is in Japanese as well. All my rods are Shimano Clarus 7' MH fast action.

Made in Japan Daiwa millionaire. My dad bought it in the 70s and it still works great today. The old Japanese made reels are damn near impossible to break. When it comes to spinners, either a DAM Quick 101N or a Daiwa SS No 1.

I haven't fished in some time, but want to get back into it, which is one reason I watch your channel. I had a few reels, but my most favorite was this little miniature reel...a Lew's Speed Spool BB-1N (I believe was the model). The reason it was my favorite bait casting reel is because I always suffered from backlash problems until I got the Lew's Speed Spool, and then I couldn't backlash even if I tried to! So smooth, so wonderful!

When I first started fishing I mowed grass and saved 80 for my first setup. I got a Lews Carbon ZS Speed Spool. I bought the combo because I wasn't super informed/connected. It's always stuck with me. I clean it every year, and it's always held up. I feel for the price it's most likely the best bang for your buck in the sub 100 combo category. I fish often, couple times a week. And I've yanked in some good size fish. 3 pounders or more. It feels good in my hand, fit plenty of line, and it wasn't really heavy. I got a Diawa Laguna HS100 for 12 bucks, and put it on my wright and McGill rod, I love that setup. It doesn't have to be freakishly high on price to be quality. You just have to set your eyes on quality of price.

I like that you mentioned how you SAVED YOUR MONEY to get the reel you wanted. Your young fans need to follow your example!!!

I've been bass fishing for twenty years. I've tried several different reels. For the past 16 yrs I've been using the Shimano Chromica CM-200A. I own four, and all four are used up. They still catch bass, but are very worn and noisy. I use these on my medium/ medium heavy rods. I have a Shimano Cruzar CRZ 100 on my heavy action "Grass rod". I'm hoping to purchase new reels soon. Glad to see that Shimano is still making quality product. Hoping to find something in the $200.00 or less range.

I live in Japan. Shimano produce a lot of reel.

I have owned over 100 baitcasters and my favorite is the shimano antares ar (calais 100a). super smooth, solid, beautiful, and long casting. about 10 years old but still rocks!

My favorite reel has to be the Shimano Antares, I have had this reel for nearly ten years and it has never had any problems, I clean it twice a year and have never complained about it, great reel you should definitely pick it up.

I've got one of the Shimano Calais and it's by far the most expensive and best reel I own. Granted, I may be biased due to the fact that it was given to me along with a custom rod and its my jig setup which is just what I'm most comfortable with but the casting is extremely smooth on it and if I had the funds right now to dump money into another expensive setup, that'd be my go to.

My absolute favorite low profile reel has to be the shimano caenan. Now before you call me a cheap person, hear me out. I've had many reels, good and bad, but I like it the most, because of how much bang you get for your buck. I've had one ever since I was in my 1st year of Jr. High, and I still have it now. I'm now a Jr in high school, and I still use it to this day.

In Australia we do not necessarily use a casting reel or maybe it is just that I do not come across it that much, but my favourite reel has got to be the 2016 Shimano Stradic CI4+ FB Spinning Reel because you are not paying over the top to obtain it in the first place being at around 320AUD, it is light but not too excessively light, is really smooth when you spin it, nice colour scheme and the Magnumlite Rotor and the Hagane Gearing.

My favorite reel would have to be the duckett 360 series rw. It's by far the smoothest and most accurate bait caster I've owned and it retails for 250. In my opinion it's the best reel in the $200 -$300 range.

Lew's Tournament pro, my first and only casting reel. I have nothing to compare it with but I love it. I doubt I would have learned casting so fast on a lesser reel.

jon you are bench mark for young anglers... well done sir well done

I have a shimano antares. Its the most expensive shimano low profile reel ranging at $600 but I paid $320 on ebay brand new. It is by far the best reel I have ever used. The reel is pared up whith a shimano cumara flip pitch punch rod witch is around 200 -250 dollars. Its defiantly not the most expensive rod. unlike some g-loomis rods, but the fact that shimano makes, in my opinion the best over all rods and reels. Is why I love them. I only have 4 rods and reels for bass fishing right now but they are all shimano. I save up money to pay for good quality fishing equipment like shimano. I have a shakey head crucial a drop shot crucial and a crucial worm and jig rod with two stratics and a ci4 chronarch also in cluding the antares set up. But some people don't understand why me and you spend a lot of money on gear is for the quality and performance of the rods and reels. Especially from shimano. That is my bass fishing set up and the price range for all of my stuff is about 2,800 dollars. Thanks for all the tips and tricks videos to help me catch more fish. Tight lines.

My favorite reel is my Shimano 2015 Metanium DC that I saved up for two and a half years to buy. Worth every penny to me. Now to move on from a GLoomis E6X and slap it onto a GLX

Just wanted to say that I just subscribed to your channel a few days ago ( found u thru 1Rod1Reel) and you make some great videos. I am a bit older then you and I must admit, my thought before watching a video was " the boy is to young to teach me anything" but I was 100% wrong!!! I have already learned a few things that in 33 years I didn't know and your videos are very entertaining. So just wanted to drop by and tell you to keep making videos and your doing a great job.Being I have mainly fished clear water reservoirs I have always used spinning tackle with light line, this video helped send me in the right direction when searching for a baitcaster. Thanks man

I'm just gonna comment. I like the flueger president spinning reel, because it is durable, and very smooth. I have had mine for a year, and I know someone who has had 2 of them for three years, and it is still smooth and works good as new. I don't have that much experience with bait casters, I've only had 2.

i really LOVE my Daiwa liberto pixy px68L SPR. its looking so rad, its casting my ultraligh baits wide AF & it sounds like the ferrari of the reels. i dont want to miss it! i love it even more because its one of the best reels for tuning, so you can optimize all parts color&quality wise! also it is sooo light! thats why im in love with my px68L SPR! :)

shimano core all day

i fish with a $55 abu garcia pro max, its my 5th reel and by far the best out of any reel ive ever used, even better than my old $300 signiture series, and a light medium action ugly stick, never had any problem catching big fish with any bait

Current best all round reel is a Chronarch Ci4...its priced well...has top components...Ci4 material...super light...very smooth and connected. Comes in two very good ratio and has a super light 150 spool which means you can cast almost anything. they also cast just as well as any Core or high end Shimano

I currently use 2 revo stx, revo sx, curado e, chronarch e, chronarch mg, and an about to be retired chronarch 100b. Spinning I use 2 shimano ci4 3000. what I found is I really like the chronarch e and curado e. The most important thing is keeping the clean, gears greased and bearings oiled. I use hot sauce with great results.

Mine has to be my JDM Abu Revo ALT-L. The IVCB-IV brake system is just awesome and it's my my longest/smoothest casting reel I own.

Okuma Citrix and helios is by far my fav reels I've ever used.. So reliable and sexy.. Casts amazing.. Just everything about them I love.

I own one of the very first Metanium reels from 2003. I happened to find a almost brand new one for a very good price of about 80$, and even though it's an old reel it never has failed me. I have to agree that the reels Shimano made around 2008 to 2013 were pretty crappy. There was a trend in Japan called "Bait Finesse(Engrish kinda?)" where people used customized reels to cast super lightweight baits like wacky rigs and drop shots that weigh around 3 to 5 grams, that you would usually only cast with spinning reels, and would never would with baitcasters . Since then Shimano started making reels that could cast super light baits, but they did forget one important thing: to make tough reels. They did make them very light and the reels sure did cast far, but they seemed to break much easier and faster than the older reels they used to make. I'm very glad they started to make high quality tough reels again. That's what I always liked about Shimano: they last forever.

I've had a shimono spinning reel.. I know it's not casting. But still works smooth and flawless have owned it for 13+ years. I'd say that's pretty good

the old quantum tour edition and energy pt baitcasters. the blue and multicolored ones. so elegant looking and performed amazingly. the recession wrecked quantum

i love the hello kitty walmart reel its really light weight and i just think it a bang for your buck

congrats, you now have probably the best all around casting reel available today.

Met 13 is a GREAT reel! A lot of extra options to add on it as well.

shimano casitas - its cheap and smooth as hell

Quantum smoke spinning reel is absolutely killer for hunting big smallies with finesse techniques

I have 4 Lews BB1 Pro's and they are excellent, but I recently went and handled a Lews Team Pro Magnesium. That is my new favorite reel, I am not sure if I am going to replace all of my BB1 Pro's, but I will definatley add one or two.

I have the same reel the 7.4:1 and the 6.2:1 and it's by far the best reels I have owned and I've had great quality high end reels and this one is the best by far. you didn't mentioned it but you can also cast heavy jigs with to problem. that's a great investment you have in your hands

Shimano Curado I is my favorite reel on a Duckett Ghost Rod then Two Quantum Smoke reels (spinning) on Mojo bass rods with a heavy taper and two more Lew's Speed Spools on cranking rods from St Coix and one medium heavy

My favorite was the Shimano Curado E51! Great reel!!!!....It was a very, very, very reliable reel. Super easy to palm and a joy to fish with. Now I mainly use the Daiwa T3, and it´s growing on me.... Keep on the good work Jon! Best regards from Portugal.

I own 6 shimano baitcasters. 4 Citicas, 2 Chronarch. Love shimano!!! Built to last!!!!

Best reel I have ever owned was my Abu Garcia Revo SKT Edition, I have the Calais you mentioned and I always end up back with the Abu in my hand. Perfectly smooth casts like a dream, can't remember the last time I backlashed, unless I threw a swivel in a windstorm. There's just an unexplainable level of power I feel inside the reel, something I havent experienced in a Shimano or Quantum. I just bought one of the new Zillions so I'll see if it can hold a candle to the ol' revo

I really like a 13 concept inception because its really inexpensive and its butter smooth

Ambassadors 5500c 5000 I'm 62 year young , I still fish them . Enjoy your vids . Would love to have reel like the one you scored ! South Louisiana Mark

I loved the format of this video, well done! As for me my Zillion 100HA, is my favorite because it was smooth, bullet proof, and I loved to brag about the deal I got on it..

Your video keep getting better and better. I like the multiple camera angles and the time lapse. Great job.

Shimano Cardiff 100 is by far my favorite reel.

Currently using about 4 baitcasters: a lews, 2 daiwas, and an Abu Garcia. But my favorite by far has been my team lews pro magnesium and daiwa exceler 100 ha. sure the lews was 275$ but it is well worth it, casts great, reels great, and is very light. My exceler was around 100$ and has lasted me about a year ,great reel for the price

Super tuned Shimano Bantam 100. By far the best casting reel ever produced!

The Diawa Tatula is probably my favorite reel as of now. Tried Abu Garcia, Lews and Shimano, but the Tatula is definitely the best bang for your buck. The Diawa Zillion/Shimano Curado come close for my 2nd favorite.

My 1st true magnetic bait caster was a Ryobi V-Max i bought new back in the early 80s ( yep..the Ryobi that makes power tools) and it was small.It had all the bells and whistles of the modern bait caster of today except it didn't have ball bearings..it used brass bushings which worked really good and smooth and it had the spool brake on the right and magnetic on the left but back then u didn't have internet and i didn't know anyone who had a reel like it so you were at the mercy of the Instructions (that seemed like a cross of being written in Chinese and reinterpreted in Mexican) but once you got it figured out it was a slick little reel and i think i used on a 7 foot Shakespeare 2pc wonder rod..i still have that rod....but anyways..i don't think Ryobi ever Patented it and later sold their fishing department and moved on to making tools...i wish i still had it.

2015 Shimano Citica I. First real baitcaster I ever bought that wasn't a Wal-Mart special. The first cast landed a 4lb bass out of a local pond that had gotten away from me several times before.

The quality and Audi is absolutely great

I still have my curado today, and I haven't had any issues, I love it

Shimano core, super tuned! can't beat it!

Rod setup is a saint croix premier xh Revo toro winch and 65 lb spider wire for Muskie use

my favorite reel is the Shakespeare synergy steel spincast. I can easily use a baitcaster or a spinning reel, but it is so smooth and comfortable to use. the think it was around $40. I have it on a pinnacle 7' rod

The Lew's BB1 Pro Speed Spool..!! is the best one that I have used.

My favorite reel is the Shimano Stradic Ci4+ It's a spinning reel and I have yet to fish with expensive casting gear. My only casting reels are Abu Garcia Black Max's so I can't wait to try out some high end casting stuff. I have a rod and reel arsenal on my channel if you want to see more.

My two favorites: Curado 301E and the NiB Metanium 101HG I bought for $200.

My favorite so far is an Ardent XS-600 with 8lb line. Like it better than the 1000. And, my next reel will be a Metanium. Great vid!

My ardent xs 600 because it feels great and casts like a dream

You need to check out the Shimano Antares it's amazing! It's the sister of the metanium but has exemplar casting distance and a sexy chrome finish. Also expensive at $599.99

If you like that brake system on your new shimano. Check out the pflueger supreme xt. It's super light and I know you will like it for under $150. It has a similar brake system.

By far my favorite reel that I own is a cabelas verano I don't own any shimanos but when I go to the store the dirt reel I grab is a shimano I love them the only problem I have with the verano is the drag isn't strong enough love the vids keep it up

I havnt had a reel over 100$ so I can't say what my favorite reel is but what I can say is that I'm about to pick up my first shimano reel it's the shimano chronarch CI4+ I think that will soon be my favorite reel!

Miss the old vids like this

my favorite reel has to be my abu garcia Ambassador S its an inexpensive reel but its a good reel when you need to get distance in a cast or for swimbaits its also a good reel.

this vid gives off summer project vibes

Metainium is where it's at. I'm changing out my arsenal with them slowly. have 4 now.

Lews speed spool LFS $100. super affordable, best all around reel with plenty of ratio options, and they only get better with the more cheddar youre down to spend.

Revo MGX from Abu Garcia. Picked it up from Dick's on clearance for 130.00, but I had a gift card so it only cost me 70.00 out of pocket. The reel is honestly beyond my abilities as a fisherman, but I still enjoy the crap out of it. Amazing at casting light weight baits with accuracy that makes me almost look like I know what I'm doing.

My first and only baitcasting reel is a used pinnacle i picked up for 15 bucks. It works though.

Even though cheaply made, and my first casting reel the Ardenent Denny Bauer pro series is an amazing flipping and pitching reel for the price. Later on I bought a bunch of lews reels after working my ass off all summer.

I have only been fishing for a couple years, but my favorite spinning reel that I own is the Shimano sienna 4000 Rd, and my favorite casting reel is my lews tournament MG speed spool

If you comment back you real asf! But I bought a metanium when this vid came out and it's fire! I am a younger angler and actually meet you at the classic I'm That guy who's girlfriend brought you and peric to him to take a picture. I'm a Shimano guy but I really love the older Shimanos so I have spent some time bidding on reels off eBay. I was wondering if you have some older Shimano reels you wanted to sell. I will honestly buy anything but i really would like a critica 200e or e7 or a curado hdsv. Thanks if you ever get to read this! Keep FISHING!

I recently bought a pfleuger supreme for $100 and believe it or not it's very smooth. Great reel for the money

My favorites would have to be my Lew's Hyper MAG and my Lew's Pro Ti. But my 13 Inception SZ is a killer reel for the price. I would like to pick up the Curado DC to try out the digital reel style but i just haven't pulled the trigger on one yet.

Orra SX with the centripetal braking, haven't tried the Orra SX 2. The Orra SX is good solid dependable Reel for the money. My favorite low cost reel, but my favorite is the Shimano Curadu 200HG , really smooth and dependable, however could have bought 2 Orras for the one Curado.

2007 Cobalt Blue Bass Pro Shop Johnny Morris Edition real paired with a 7-foot medium-heavy action carrot stick. I could not keep that combo out of my hand no matter how many poles I brought with me. I've since passed it on to my son which is now 12 years old and he's the same way...

I use the lews lfs and a Duckett ghost rod and reel most of the time because it is the smoothest reel for the money

PS got them in high school 1970 my dad gave them to me and they still work like the day I got them . Mark , Louisiana

pflueger templar spinning reel $30 on sale (discontinued), 7' ugly stick $30.....caught everything from bass to pike to carp on it

It's my shimano solstice 2500, one of the best spinning feels out there in my opinion, would recommend one, pick one up as bass pro for about 60 bucks

best real he never used before review

Revo Rocket, and Revo Beast. I love them.

Shimano Casitas. Amazing reel for the money. I love my Curado but the fact that you can find a casitas for $100 is amazing

my favorite reel would be the Abu garcia black max. I know it's not the most epic reel but it is my first bait caster and I caught my pb on it.

pflueger supreme xt baitcaster . Which is right around 130$ I own another pflueger that cost 310$ and I liked the cheaper one so much better that I sold the expensive one and put the cheaper one on its rod so if your looking for a great but not to to expensive reel give that one a shot for sure.