I would like to know what everyones favorite reels are at the moment. It appears that the Curado is a very popular one, but I'd also like to hear about some other ones. I am currently using a Quantum 1310 that I like very much. I am looking to pick up another reel and would find your opinions useful in making my decision.
Thanks.

Diawa Millionaire CV-Z253. Bullet Proof, Butter Smooth, Reasonable price(compared to the calcutta).

Brian

If you're looking for a casting reel for the river--I'd say the silky smooth 6+1 ball bearing Pflueger Trion @ $99.95 is the best deal/reel on the market.

I agree 100% I have cvz253 and two 300's I use for down riggin as well as casting. I love those reels.

I'm curious why more people are not hip to these reels. I see allot said about shimano, but in my opinion the Daiwa reels are every bit the equal. I also have the 100 HSDF Team Daiwa X when I am not catching it's nice just to look at it, beautiful and great piece of equipment to fish with.

I fish a curado bsf 201 and a calcutta 251....both are excellent reels, but this is my opinion...........

Im happy using my abu 5501, Had it for long time and hasnt failed me, but Ill never buy another abu spinning reel, dunno how they can make a nice casting reel but totally screw up on their spinning reels,

I currently use a diawa triforce, its a cheaper reel but it holds 120/12, has a butter smooth drag, and casts like a curado. I have landed 20lb chrome bright silvers with this baby, i love it.

I use both Trions and curado BSF and I am a novice bait caster. I can cast my BSF twice the distance with no backlash. The Trion is so smoth I cant keep from getting a little backlash when I go for distance. I like both reels but feel much more confident with the curado.

I vote for Shimano Calcutta Conquest or the Japan version of the Daiwa Millionaire CVZ 253. I own both and thay are top of the line

I have a nice Abu Torno pro. Very smooth and it has landed many large fish. Adjustable enough to fish light jig set-ups, spinners, corkie & yarn, etc. I haven't seen another on the river yet.

Shimano Calcutta 150 and 250. The best thing about them is the silky smooth drag. When the drag ceases to be smooth, they do a pretty good job of overhauling if you ship the reels back to the factory. Turnaround time is not so bad. Mine have seemed to start needing drag work yearly, but I send them out at the very first sign that they are beginning to get sticky.

Calcutta 251. Got it on ebay.

Of all my reels, my favorite without a doubt are my Calais reels, then my Curados, then my Trion, and after that my Quantum MG.

I've also used Calcuttas, and they're definitely top-notch as well.

Thanks for the replies, seems like there are one or two reels that are prominent favorites. I think I'll start looking for a good used Calcutta, I think it will be easier on my wallet than a Curado.

For many years one of my personal favorite reels was Abu's Big Game series 6500. That black and silver colored reels was terrific for lighter lines, and strong enough for some bigger fish like small school tuna and yellowtail in the 20# class. The reel was excellent for bottom fishing halibut. Well, Abu discontinued the piece about two years ago. They have a new Big Game series, but it's not built the same way. I uncovered a great score on their European Big Game reel, the 6500 CS Pro Rocket. It's the same type of metal construction as the old Big Game, still using silver and black (except the new version has the colors reversed. The other thing different about this reel is that it has freespool! Yep, great freespool for a levelwind. The Pro Rocket packs a punch, and offers excellent performance with 15-20# lines. The reel has a clicker, too. They cast great, and have very good breaks. This is no plastic-fantastic reel, it's made of metal. Like it's predecessor, this reel also features a mechanical breaking system that will allow you to cast into the wind!

Specs:
Gear Ratio 5.3:1
Line Capacity 245 yards 15#
Weight 13 ounces



ambassadeur 6500cs PRO ROCKET.

All brass double reinforced. it's a rock.