I've been throwing Shimano baitcasting reels on my rods for the better part of two decades now, and I still get asked the same question at the ramp: which Shimano baitcaster should I actually buy? The honest answer is that Shimano makes more than a dozen current baitcasting models, and choosing between a sub-$150 workhorse […]

After 30 years of fishing baitcasters and rebuilding more reels than I want to admit, I can tell you that the best Abu Garcia baitcasting reels punch well above their price class. Abu Garcia has been building reels in Sweden since 1941, and the brand's Revo and Ambassadeur lineups have been tournament staples for decades. […]

I've been chasing bass with Lew's reels for the better part of a decade, and I can tell you this: the lineup has quietly become one of the most complete baitcasting catalogs on the water. When I set out to find the best Lew's baitcasting reels for , I tested eight models across three months […]