My son fishes with the Curado K and the DC. He prefers the cheaper K. You probably won't find any reel these days that hold up like the old greenies, but they all work great when newer. I have a new Lews lite, but it just doesn't feel right in my hand, but most love them. I'm stuck on a Concept C, it just feels good.

 

You are going to open a can of worms with this question and get a million different opinions. All of the main manufacturers make reels that work great and hold up to saltwater(relatively speaking). I have reels from Shimano, Abu Garcia, Lews, & 13 Fishing that I use for inshore fishing. I have multiple in each brand that work great and when I grab a certain one or 2, it has nothing to do with the reel and more to do with the rod they are on. Just pick one and enjoy fishing. I'm not saying you can buy a 50.00 reel and be happy with it, but from my experience, if you pay over 150.00 for a reel, and that is not a requirement by the way, it will be fine for what you need it for. Maintaining, cleaning, oiling, etc. all play a key factor in that also.

 

I have a Curado DC, Lews Inshore custom and a Diawa Coastal.
The Diawa is my favorite. It has a magnetic controller that just seems to work well for me. The Lews has a magnetic controller as well but cant really see any differences when making an adjustment like I can on the Diawa.

 

I have the Lews custom inshore and it was my go to, but since I tried the new Diawia coastal 150 it seems a little more friendly casting into the wind and no thumbing it. It also seems very easy to dial in in comparison to the lews. I use both when going out on most occasions.
JMO.



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I’m a die hard Shimano guy too. My main go to reel is a Curado 200HG, but I recently bought the Shimano SLX DC and it’s sweet for the money. I got it thinking it would be good for my wife and to teach my son how to throw a bait caster, but man I love it. It and my Curado are now my two favorite soft plastic reels. The digital control (DC) on the SLX is very forgiving even when throwing light plastics into the wind. It’s almost impossible to backlash once you get it set right.

And as an FYI, they also make the Curado DC. I’ve heard good things about it but haven’t personally used one.

Oh, and mine are used in the salt at least 3-4 times a month.

 

I’m a fan of the curado K

 

The Lew’s Custom Inshore is what I would recommend. A little higher gear ratio, 7.5, than you’re looking for, but it’s a very nice reel. If I tinker with the breaking system and spool tensioner I’ve been able to throw any sized lure any distance that’s needed. Birdnesting hasn’t been an issue either, even into the wind. It’s very light weight and the Dri-Tec handle knobs are also nice.

 

Ive thrown alot of reels and keep going back to my shimano curado k. I picked up a diawa tatula that i really like. im gonna start throwing the diawa more this year to see how it holds up.

 

My son is the same way, he loves that reel, and he has more expensive ones to choose from.

 

13 Fishing Concept C, or even the A. Most solid reels I own, and I've had the older Curados and have a Lews Lite. I have all the 13 fishing reels from the A up to the KP (KP was a limited edition run reel.) If you put a gun to my head and told me to only choose one I'd probably bring the C

They are all great though.. If I had to choose one that I'd recommend not spending the money on it's the Concept Z. The A is a much better reel IMO and cheaper..

 

Just bought another lews lite speed spool. I like the same thing be it sneakers or pens or reels. Find one learn to use it and stick with it.

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If you want to hang with Shimano, look at the Chronarch 150G, or the Aldebaran (slightly lighter but more money). They will be equal if not a little better to that 50Mg you have been throwing for the last 15 years, like me. I still have about a dozen 50Mgs that I love. Parts for them are almost non-existent now.

That said, my son stands right beside me and throws Lews, all day long, so you can't really go wrong there either.

We tried Concepts, as we won/received a few from CCA banqets. We sold or traded them away, as we weren't fans of the plastic gears.

 

I've been using Shimano Aldebaran for at least 3 to 4 years now. Super light and fun on my ultralight rod. Drag is not as strong as other Shimano reels but with an ultralight rod I and rod don't need it. I bought a couple more for back up 2 years ago but the reel keeps going with little maintenance. I just clean bearing every about twice a year. Paid $300 on eBay from Japan vs China with no warranty. All my other shimano reels are on the shelf.

 

I'd be interested in trying Lews if the model naming convention they chose wasnt the most confusing thing on earth. I have no idea what model will perform and where it lies on the spectrum of Lews quality. Kinda frustrating.

 

i'd be interested in trying lews if the model naming convention they chose wasnt the most confusing thing on earth. I have no idea what model will perform and where it lies on the spectrum of lews quality. Kinda frustrating.

^^^^^ this!

 

I stated fishing with Shimano reels when the Calcutta was first released, as in the first year. After two of them, I graduated to the Chronarch SFs. A Curado here and a Mettanium there, as well as a Chronarch 100B. I also have a bunch of spinners from Shimano. They are all great reels and I was a loyal fan and advocate for their reels. But along the way, with the Chronarch 100B and the Mettanium, I had ongoing issues with the anti-reverse (roller clutch bearings) falling apart in 1/3 the mileage as the old SFs and, about the same time started fishing with a guy who was a Lew's guy. He convinced me to give them a try and I am grateful he did.

I got a Team Lew's Lite (TLL1SH) 2 years ago and am so happy with the reel. Admittedly, I don't use it in the surf, so it is not getting some of the normal abuse I'd be putting on it, but it casts better, the braking system works better and is more adjustable. I love that reel

 

I bought the lews custom lite today. It really does feel light as a feather. Paired with a 6-7” HP Lite, spoiled, it weighs just under 9 oz. total. I can’t comment on how it holds up, just very excited to use it. I’ve had great results with the tournament pro over the last year I’ve owned it.

 

I've always liked some of the Daiwa reels

 

👍 it’s a great real for the money.

 

👍 it's a great real for the money.

Sorry meant to piggy back off the comment about the SLX DC.

 

ford chevy dodge argument

I've thrown shimano's my entire life, most recent are the Core 50's with ABE7 boca bearings. But Lew's and Concept 13 have taken the market by storm as of recent. I've retired my core 50's for the concepts and lews and will not be looking back. both are extremely smooth and i prefer them over shimano. :texasflag

 

Go with Shimano, I decided to give the other brands mentioned here since they all claim they were the best out there, well they were all garbage, back using chronarchs and 1 curado k and they have been flawless.

 

If you're looking for a Shimano baitcaster that can hold up in saltwater and are unable to find the older models you mentioned, the Shimano SLX DC 151HG would be a great option to consider. It has a gear ratio of 7.2:1, but you can also get the 6.3:1 or 8.2:1 versions depending on your preference.
Another option is the Shimano Tranx 201 HG, which has a gear ratio of 7.2:1 and is designed specifically for saltwater fishing. This reel has a strong and durable construction and can handle heavy fish.
If you're open to considering other Baitcasting reels, the Lew's Super Duty Wide Speed Spool SDAW1SH would be a great option to consider. It has a gear ratio of 7.1:1 and is designed to withstand saltwater conditions. This reel has a strong aluminum frame and spool and can handle heavy fish.
In summary, for a Shimano baitcaster, the SLX DC 151HG or the Tranx 201 HG would be great options. If you're open to other brands, the Lew's Super Duty Wide Speed Spool SDAW1SH would be a great option to consider as well.

 

The Lew's are compact, light and cast well. I like them. I think the Daiwa Coastal is a higher quality reel. I have the 150 but they have a smaller one now too and it is pretty dang nice.

There is a company out of Dallas making a fully Made in the USA baitcaster. Bates is the name. The current lineup is a little big on the large side for what most folks will want but they had a prototype of a smaller version at the fishing show and it looks like it will have some potential. I liked what I saw. Something to keep an eye on. The smaller model is supposed to be out soon.