Rapala Shift baitcaster/spinning reels

[crwalker1987]

Hey guys,

I always see Italo talking about these series of spinning reels and baitcasters. I picked one up in sail the other day and it felt really nice. The specs certainly speak for themselves but it seems to be impossible to find any reviews from most users. Does anyone on here own one? the baitcaster specifically? They seem to be priced good but hard to say since ive had such good luck with shimano products. Any thoughts or input i would love to hear it.

Cheers,

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewshiftbaitcastreel.html

[biggs]

For the price there are better products out there IMO.
I am not a Shimano guy but I'd rather have a Curado any day of the week.

Italo is a salesperson.

[crwalker1987]

I definately hear what you say about Italo being a salesman but last year i bought a curado and took my first cast with it and the side plate opened up where the brakes are and birds nested on me, originally i thought i just didnt close it properly so i picked it out and then closed it properly and it did it again. it ended up wrecking a full spool of line on me and went right back to the store for a refund. and my old daiwa exceler died so i'm just looking for something new is all. I have a rapala seeker spinning reel and it doesnt seem bad but thats obviously different than the shift baitcaster altogether.

[Chevy Champagne]

i have a rapala shift sitting here at home collecting dust and have 9 curado e7s in my current line up.
if anyone is interested in trying out the shift i will llet mine go for fairly cheep... its barley used and in mint shape

[biggs]

I hear you.

Maybe look into Lew's. There are some members here that really enjoy their Lew's reels. I don't think I've ever heard a bad thing about those reels. I keep meaning to buy one and try it out but Ii keep buying Daiwa's because those are what I am comfortable with.

I personally just wouldn't trust Rapala for reels but that's me.

[TheMaverick]

9 curado e7s in my current line up.

Tackle Porn please!

[lape0019]

I would take Biggs word that there are better reels out there. I haven't looked at the shift ever but here are some reels I would look at before I looked at a shift.

Shimano citica or curado. I have an E curado and it has never let me down. I would also say you may have given up on the aura do too soon. If the side plate on the one you had wasn't locking, my guess was the spool tension knob was tightened down too much and the spool shaft was pushing against it. If you still had the reel, I would have suggested to loosen the knob and try again. Anyone I know who has an Curado E (Chronarch E), or G have nothing bad to say about them.

Abu Garcia Revo S. I have the older generation and still love this reel. The gen 3 Revo S and STX are lighter and nicer looking than the Gen 2's and still get good review's.

Pflueger just came out with a new lineup of reels. I have never had an issue with my patriarch so I would have no issues recomending one of these products. The new Supreme is pretty sweet looking.
I don't have any experience with Daiwa otherwise I would have listed something from them as well.


I have a Lew's team gold speed spool and again would recomend oneg of these. This reel is usually $269.99 but if you can stretch your budget, Ed has a few left at $214.99 or something close to that. It's a great reel at that price. The tournament and tournament pro are their mid range reels. River Monster has one of each and plans to buy more of them. They are just great reels.

Now, the reason I would choose any of these reels over the shift is because there aren't enough reviews to get me comfortable enough to buy one when there are proven products out there. Also, when it comes to service, will it be harder to find parts since this is only a Canadian Product?

My best advice would still be to head out to Paddletales. Ed and his Pro Staff (usually Fred) know their stuff. Ed only really carries the stuff he believes in so if it is t any good in his eyes, it's not in his store... There are a few good guys at sail, but none as knowledgable as Ed.

Good luck on your search.

And for those people who like gear porn...





Adam

[StarTzar]

I would take Biggs word that there are better reels out there. I haven't looked at the shift ever but here are some reels I would look at before I looked at a shift.

Shimano citica or curado. I have an E curado and it has never let me down. I would also say you may have given up on the aura do too soon. If the side plate on the one you had wasn't locking, my guess was the spool tension knob was tightened down too much and the spool shaft was pushing against it. If you still had the reel, I would have suggested to loosen the knob and try again. Anyone I know who has an Curado E (Chronarch E), or G have nothing bad to say about them.

Abu Garcia Revo S. I have the older generation and still love this reel. The gen 3 Revo S and STX are lighter and nicer looking than the Gen 2's and still get good review's.

Pflueger just came out with a new lineup of reels. I have never had an issue with my patriarch so I would have no issues recomending one of these products. The new Supreme is pretty sweet looking.
I don't have any experience with Daiwa otherwise I would have listed something from them as well.


I have a Lew's team gold speed spool and again would recomend oneg of these. This reel is usually $269.99 but if you can stretch your budget, Ed has a few left at $214.99 or something close to that. It's a great reel at that price. The tournament and tournament pro are their mid range reels. River Monster has one of each and plans to buy more of them. They are just great reels.

Now, the reason I would choose any of these reels over the shift is because there aren't enough reviews to get me comfortable enough to buy one when there are proven products out there. Also, when it comes to service, will it be harder to find parts since this is only a Canadian Product?

My best advice would still be to head out to Paddletales. Ed and his Pro Staff (usually Fred) know their stuff. Ed only really carries the stuff he believes in so if it is t any good in his eyes, it's not in his store... There are a few good guys at sail, but none as knowledgable as Ed.

Good luck on your search.

And for those people who like gear porn...



Adam

Adam,

You're write-ups on tackle are fantastic; and not wanting to offend anyone, I'll say the same for Biggs and Brad and Mav.
I certainly don't want them on my case.

Chevy owns 9 curado e7 ... He put's a whole lot of mileage on his reels and shimano are very dependable.
You can never go wrong with Shimano. (He also owns a Martin - he should have gone with the Gretsch)

If Biggs says that there are better options to the Rapala Baitcaster, then I would agree with him.
I think Biggs has looked and handled every reel ever manufactured.
Then again, it did get some good reviews on the Tackle Tour Site but not much information from users.

I like to read user reviews before purchasing a reel or rod and I can't seem to find too much when it comes to the Rapala reels.
I would certainly limit my selection to Shimano and or Lew's.

Side note: I was in a (Non Paddletale) tackle Shop last week looking at the Daiwas.
I was not really impressed with the new Tatula (did not feel right in my hands, kind of plastic-ky and difficult to palm).
The T3's with it's 80mm handle did not feel right for me.
Even though I was not impressed with the Tatula, (for the price conscience buyer), this might be a good option.

I would recommend a trip to Paddletales. Get a Shimano (lots to choose from) or the Lew's Gold (before they run out).

p.s.: Adam, we had losing numbers for last night's draw.

[TheMaverick]

I don't think there's much I can add to this thread....or maybe there is.

Maybe look into Lew's.

My only concern when I first bought a Lew's TP was "will it go the distance durability wise".
I've now been fishing my Lew's for 2 years in a row, and as surprisingly as this may sound, they are as smooth as when I first bought them. I have yet to do any maintenance what so ever on any of my 8 TP's.

I have tried ABEC 7 in two of my TP's with no significant casting distance gained, although they do cast as far with less effort.
I aslo changed the 85mm for 95mm handles on a few reels to accommodate my cranking needs. I think they do offer the 95mm on right handle stock Lew's.

I find them to be very solid reels, I appreciate the weight and features.
At 200$ a pop, they suit my needs efficiently for tournament fishing.

They sure ain't no shelf queen, but they are reliable and get the job done.

Will be adding a BB1 Pro and Team Pro to the fleet now that Lew's has taken the lefties in consideration.

Make the trip down to Ed's, what other store offer's you the chance to cast the reel outside at the back of the store? Case Closed!