The evolution of baitcasting reels

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I started in the mid eightys with the Abu Garcia 5500, was decent enough for chucking size #4 and up spinners and 1/2 oz spoons for salmon. Then came drift fishing for steelhead and the backlashes started stacking up. Got wind of the Shimano Curado, picked up a dark green CU-200 with that VBS 5 pin system and it was a game changer.

Thoughts?
 
I have had a few Abu Garcia reels and honestly can't stand them. I think the thing that bums me out about them the most is the handle/retrieve. It's such a small radius rotation that it makes it much harder to reel if there's any resistance on the other end.

Curados are the way to go these days in my opinion. My spoon rod currently has a Daiwa Lexa, and it's done well. But the few Curados I've used (don't have one yet) just feel better.
 
Started with Shimano Bantams. 100, 200SG, 350 etc. Had some Abu’s like 5500D’d. Have a bunch of Curado D’s. That is where my evolution ended….
SF
 
Started with an old red Abu Garcia(know idea the model) in the 70's then got a new drift rod and a new Bantam for Christmas(I think it was the first model), maybe in 79 or 80?
Had that up until 98 and then the rod was taken out by a car door, and since lost the real during a move some how, it really pissed me off.
I now have a few Bantams, Abu Garcia Revo(I think), but the Daiwa Lexa's and Tatula are my favorites and both are damn good reels!
 
My first baitcaster was a bantam 100 when I was about 13. Used it daily for a couple years they we state of the art at the time but didn't hold up well to abuse. Then I got a bantam mag plus it also lasted a couple years. From then on I was buying my own gear I have had poor luck every time I get away from Shimano bait asters.
Never tried a Diawa however I have switched to Diawa spinning reels and they are awesome. Even the 50 dollar ones.

Newer bait casters are far and away superior a lot fewer moving parts and just flat out easier to use... not as much size selection as there used to be or maybe it's just a supply chain thing..

If I still did a lot of drift fishing. I'd find an old bantam 200 so and fish it out of nostalgia..
 
My mother worked in the tackle dept of Failors in Aberdeen in the 60's. She bought dad a ABU 6000 when they first came in. When dad wasn't useing it I would sneak it out to use. She got me the 1st 6000C for Christmas when I was in high school. That old reel caught a handful of Coho trolling Lk Wa this year. I have replaced the bearings and palll in the level wind. Still works flawlessly over 50 yrs later. An pair of original 5000C's I delegated to my Kokanee rods. Great old reels if you keep em out of the salt.
 
My first baitcaster was a 7000C on one of my Dad's plunking rods in the mid 70s. Then I bought my first plunking set up and bought a 6501C. Started drift fishing near end of 70s. Picked up a 5000C then replaced that when I found my first 5001C.

Still have all my ABUs. I've been tempted to do the upgrades on them. They have a ball bearing retrofit with a special lube (rocket maybe?). I've used a friend's and it was out of this world. @Evan Burck I'm guessing you mostly used newer model ABUs. They used to give a power handle in the boxes. You were able to replace the knuckle buster with a single paddle long throw handle. Was an immediate change on the 6000 and 7000. I do have a couple 5000 that I converted.

When they first came out I started buying the Shimanos. Have a few 201SG and 251. Now have a couple Curados. For cost of the new baitcasters I may do the retrofit on some of my 5000 series ABUs.

I'll admit I still love the ABUs. Especially when they were dialed in. Use my Fenwick FS85C with 5001C for tossing spinners for Coho. Brings back fond memories of my Dad and I on the lower Chehalis. Plus it's just fun to fish.
 
Stonedfish said:
Started with Shimano Bantams. 100, 200SG, 350 etc. Had some Abu’s like 5500D’d. Have a bunch of Curado D’s. That is where my evolution ended….
SF
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I'm right there with you boss, currently have the 200 & 300 D models they are built like tanks.

Then picked up my latest & greatest a Curado 200 E7, it's a sparkling little green number that sits on my Sage 290 gear rod. I'll be tossing gear on the OP with that combination in a few weeks
 
My 1st baitcaster was a Browning A321 LH that i got as part of a Ugly Stik combo in a Wally World. Still have it, needs a few repairs.
 
Meek #3 bait caster circa 1906.
I inherited it from my Grandpa when he passed in 1969. Don't know where he got it...somewhere in southern Missouri?
I cleaned it up and it cast better than any non-free spool bait casters I saw or used in my early years.
 
bennysbuddy said:
you fellas missed all the fun ,Pflueger Supreme no drag is what I started with, getting a level wind with a drag was a game changer.
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I also learned to cast with an old Pflueger. It did have a drag and freespool though, so not quite as old as all that. It didn’t work when I got it so I had to fix it first, which involved making some new parts from bar stock! It never worked very well even after that but I did catch some fish with it. Moving up to an Abu was an amazing day!

These days I’m debating whether to get a Daiwa Lexa left handed line counter reel as an upgrade for my jigging setup. Its either that or a Shimano.
 
Nothing makes me feel stupider than bait casters. Over the years I have tried and tried to teach my thumb but on a good day I spend half my time picking out rats nests.
 
Forgot to mention I had good luck with the Diawa Viento’s as well.
SF
 
Shimano SLX DC is my favorite baitcaster right now. I’ve gone through some nice reels and it’s held up to a lot more shit than my expensive Lew’s and 13 fishing reels. It’s also buttery smooth and paired with a 9’6 e6x can cast a spoon further than I would ever need.
 
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