The fishing industry doesn’t want you to know they just don’t make fishing reels like they used to… In this video, I put two modern baitcasting reels to the ultimate test to see if they can replace what many consider the best reel ever made — the Shimano Curado 200E. We go all-in on flipping and heavy cover to see if these new reels can hold up under true tournament pressure. I’m testing the Ark Gravity and an Abu Garcia Revo against brutal conditions to see if they can earn a permanent place on my deck — or fail like most modern gear. If you’re looking for a reel that can survive the abuse of real bass fishing, this one’s for you.
#bassfishing #fishingtips #test #tournament #fishing #fishingreels
Abu Garcia Revo Casting Reel for flipping
Ark Gravity 7 Casting Reel https://bit.ly/45khjDL
Halo XD III 7 6 H flipping rod
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![Keeper Halibut and Striped Bass From Shore [Surf Fishing a Dropshot Rig]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/VQRsVKwOVJY/hqdefault.jpg "Keeper Halibut and Striped Bass From Shore [Surf Fishing a Dropshot Rig]")
I still fish with a 80’s Curado 200 Bantum. Love the reel and so do others if you look at the listings for used ones. Ol greenie just keeps winding them in. On point video.
I agree. I have about a dozen E7 that all still work great.
I agree, those are some of the best reels ever made. I have about 12 of that body style (lefty). Curado 201E, Chronarch 201e, citica 201e (added a driveshaft bearing to make it feel like a Curado), scorpion 1501xt. Abu doesn't compare. This is from an owner of 10 Abu reels.
I live on a lake and fish damn near every day from March > November. Have all Shimano reels. Metaniums, Curado, Scorpion, Bantam, SLX MGL, Twin Power, Stradic, and a Miravel. So anything from as cheap as $130 and up to $500. I honestly can’t say a bad thing about any of them. I maintain my shit and they are all stored inside, but are used heavily and have had zero issues
Mikey give the Shimano Scorpion MD HG models a try! Tough as nails and have ratio's from 7.0 to 8.4 range, hard to find in USA cause the japanese keep all their good stuff to themselves! I have a few older 2001 scorpion sf models and still cranking with those too! Good thing about Shimano's their parts interchange with American versions, scorpions are basically souped up versions of curados!
Shimano Bantam or Metanium. Core solid body makes these stronger.
Not the most favorable company but kastking has a reel called the deadbolt designed for flipin and pitching with no drag
Hey Mike, I'm in Miami and I have several reels for this application, but since I currently don't have a freshwater rig, I've not used them really, due to not having access to that heavy type cover. I have the Quantum Accurist S3 which is an odd reel that's similar to the G7 in that it's an all-around versatile reel, but it has that Flippin' Switch so you can utilize it specifically for flippin' & Punchin', and the braking system is completely unique to anything else and it has to be setup to be tight in order to cast flawlessly, but unlike other reels when set up on the tighter side, it still casts a long way.
I also have the MegaJaws & MegaJaws Elite which although they cast similarly, the Elite model has the Flippin' switch as well, but has the AutoMag Braking system which is phenomenal, while the regular MegaJaws has the Dual Automag system which is quite similar to the Ark system. Both excellent reels, but the Elite's system is a bit better/more refined.
KastKing offered the Megajaws Elite in Black & Purple for a short time that had a medium depth spool specific for the application of Flipping that I wish I'd gone with instead of the regular deep spool model I have. IDK if they plan to bring that one back, but I imagine I can order the spool alone for a few bucks just to have that option.
As for parts for your 200E7, here are most of them… https://www.ereplacementparts.com/shimano-ch200e7-chronarch-baitcast-reel-parts-c-200301_200303_200333.html?srsltid=AfmBOooqeKVAWOHjjw3snFgGjMkwrZ3oWXWs9mIIOdKepcv2oN_qds36
Here are a few more… https://www.dadsoletackle.com/shimano/pinion-yokes/
NOTE: Shimano lists different part numbers for some yokes that are identical to one another in order to make it seem like you're out of options, but try parts from other models to see if they are identical to the original on the E7.
The parts they don't have, you can easily have someone make for you using a 3D printer, or buy one yourself and learn how to make them yourself. There are 3D scanners you can utilize for scanning your existing OEM Parts which builds the 3D model for you, and if a part is extremely worn, you can edit the model's dimensions to compensate for wear, thereby making components absolutely precise.
Here's a 3D Model of one that looks like yours: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5645307
https://www.yeggi.com/q/shimano+yoke/
Here's a listing for a like new E7: https://ebay.us/m/IH3wrV
Hope this helps, and Hit me up and I'll gladly drive your way and bring my reels for a day of fishing in your area. It's only about a 2 hour drive for me.
My first baitcast reel my dad bought me probably 35-40 years ago was an Abu Garcia…$29.99..small, didn't hold much line but lasted easily 10-15 years….as i got older, i purchased a few around $150…barely lasted 3 years…fooled me once…Today, ill purchase mostly Abu Garcia Black Max reels for most of my bass fishing…fantastic reels for $50-60…a few techniques i need bigger reels, but Black Max will be my go to until the quality stops
Lewis super duty that holds 150 yards of 50 Lb. Braid …..Is a super stout reel in a small package ( comfort). Nutter rod /reel repair can fix your 200’s they are located in Georgia.
You are absolutely correct Mikey! I got 6 201E7's 7.0 ratio and still cranking, I buy'em when I see good used ones! Hard to find is right! Just bought a used 201E7 Chronarch 7.0 ratio never knew they made one! So the search continues!
The 2021 Zillion and especially the Zillion HD is EXACTLY just that, a reel that is way too well built for the price when bought from Japan. And these reels have better torque and are much smoother and cast better than anything E series.
@batesfishing has entered the chat
Yes they are high but our dollar is worth less sooo it is what it is
Check them out
The Okuma Hakai is worth checking out, low key workhorse
I think you'd be better off buying some JDM reels like the scorpion MD it's around $200, but after Aug. 29th every package regardless of price from every other country is going to be subject to tariffs which sucks. I'm also a huge fan of the zillion tw hd it should be sub $300 from japan, it was closer to $250 last year but everything has gone up. The 200e7 msrp today would be around $267 so that's the price point I would look at if I expect to get equivalent gear.
Ark reels, just like a few others in the market, are just dressed up Shimao's.
Chronarch and Curado E series are bullet proof. ..Will never sell mine
I’m gonna argue; the DAIWA TD ZILLION’s of 10/15 years ago are the toughest reels ever made. However they tend to backlash more then the curado e’s imo
The Lews speed spools have turned to shit. One just broke on me setting Hook. Nothing on reel just the base where it connects to the rod that broke right off and I hand lined the fish in. 😂
I still have one, the Shimano Curado 200 G7
Abu goes make a normal sx has the same handle a normal spool and gear ratio options I believe the spool is interchangeable as well I have been running a abu sx as a frog reel recently since I was using a curado k that I have now bent the spool on for the 2nd time I would also have drag issues but a after market drag washer and a added shit to put more pressure seemed to fix this issue for me so far not a huge fan of the profile honestly dislike it cast braid to leader well straight flours ok way over breaker for straight braid I actually removed 2 of the 6 internal pins and it fishes ok feel clunky but not a bad reel for me flipping wise I have had decent luck with a tatula flip pitch
Lew’s Super Duty 300 is an awesome reel. Yeah it’s a 300 size spool but the body of the reel seems like a regular reel size!
They cant sell as many reels if they don't break down every season. The komodo ss 200 is tough as nails too.
The abu stx from japan is less g hsn $180 and supreme compared to the ark 7 for cheaper