I have been looking for a baitcasting reel, and i was wondering if Abu Garcia or Shimano is better
I have a few Abu Garcias, and i am very pleased with their performance, but is Shimano really worth the extra money? One of my friends say that they are, but i'm not sure.
Both are great reels, I will not buy Japanese products. Abu is made by the Swedish and they are smooth reels.
I will never again buy a Shimano or Abu Garcia baitcaster. I know a company now, that is 100% domestic and USA made. Abu Garcia may be designed by the Swedes, but it is made in Chana or Malaysia or wherever.
Go to: http://www.ardentoutdoors.com/
Look at their new baitcasters. No single component is foreign made. Every last piece is precision machined in the USA in Macon, Missouri. I have two of their Ardent XS1000 baitcasters. I will just tell you that they are in a class of their own. You haven’t used a baitcaster until you have used one of these. They have a 3-year warranty too.
Go read all the reviews and see if you can come across another person who has used one. Take mine and their word for it.
To answer your question instead of giving my personal views on what country’s products I will or will not support…
I have about 9 or 10 Shimano reels, 7 of which are baitcasters and I think they’re great.
Both are good companies. I have Shimano spinning reels and love them. I also Have a round level wind that is awsome as well. that being said I have a Quantum Bait caster and a Cabela’s (made by Diawa) I like them both. They felt better to me than the Shimano I like the fact the Mag brake adjustment is outside the reel cover for us novices that need it. Which Models are you looking at?
Take a look at Pflueger Presidents and Supremes. I personally use Shimano and don’t really want to re-gear all my rods with new reels, too expensive. There is a new Daiwa reel that runs around $65 and has been getting great reviews. I think it has a 8 bearings with all metal components. There’s just too much good stuff these days. I would go to you favorite store, pull a rod off the rack and screw on a few reels. It has to feel good too afterall.
I have short thick fingers so it’s low profile for me.
HockeyMan