I have tried a Ryoga, Zillion, Calcutta Conquest, Curado, Citica, Millionaire Bay Casting Special, and Revo Inshore.pinoyboykev wrote:P.S. Are round baitcasters any good for this type of fishing?I have never used one before. If they can cast as far as a low profile, then some suggestions would be appreciated.
My vote is the Ryoga --1016 or 2020. 1016 for regular inshore duty (capacity is the same as a Zillion J Dream) 2020 if you want to go a bit offshore for bigger fishes (capacity is the same as a Luna 203 and Calcutta 200). For a 5-10kg inshore fish such as a barra or jakc/snapper, i think a 1016 is more than enough. I think the 2020 is too much for my kind of inshore fishing. They sit very low on a rod with ECS/ACS reel seat such that they feel like Low Pro reels. They are built for the salt. 12 anti-rust bearings. Sealed drag. And the all-aluminum body is anodized instead of painted. Lesser chance of the metal forming boils-paint chipping (my Revo and Zillion did that after some use in the salt.). And for an inshore reel, the Ryoga is a casting machine. Casts better than my Zillion and Conquest. Powerful cranking. Smooth drag.
The Zillion is ok but the drag and the cranking power is smooth but not enough when you tussle with big running salties. Also, since the drag is not sealed, salt crystals can form inside the drag stack. Because of that, you will lose more drag eventually. Also the paint seems to bubble over time due to prolonged salt exposure.
The Revo Inshore is also ok. Casting is so so. Cranking is the same as the zillion. Body is painted so you will encounter some bubbling after long exposure to salt. Salt resistant innards but parts are hard to come by. This is specially annoying since the internals are prone to failure - springs, kick lever, etc. Drag also is prone to salt crystals accumulating.
The Conquest is also a good choice but it's body and spool is not too resistant to corrosion. Long casting and powerful cranking. Stock drag needs to be replaced with carbontex and it's prone to salt intrusion. The stock bearings are also not the SARB-type so you have to replace all of them to get more protection from rust. In the end, your cost will be the same as the Ryoga. Might as well go straight to Ryoga and save you all the trouble.
Millionaire Bay Casting Special is my favorite. Great casting (light to heavy lures). The cranking power, drag, and line capacity is less than the Ryoga. Internals and externals are very rust resistant. Palms better than the Ryoga because it's corners are not sharp. Also sits very low on the rod. Salt may get inside the drag stack. And because it's an older model --- Ryoga's grandad, parts may become hard to find in the future.
Curado and Citica -- they did not really last in the salt.
Hope this helps.