Wright & McGill Skeet Reese Victory Baitcaster

I've been wanting to pick-up another baitcaster in the 7s for gear ratio.

I've been debating several reels in the $99 to $150 price range.

I saw a Wright McGill Skeet Reese Victory Baitcaster on clearance at Dick's yesterday for under $50.

I checked Tackle Tour and Wired2Fish and they give the reel favourable reviews.

Anyone have any experience with this reel?

Thanks,
Patrick

lews speed spool best reel for 99

lews speed spool best reel for 99

That was the direction I was leaning before I saw the Skeet Reese reel.

Lew's is currently running a $20 mail in rebate, and Dick's is having an online sale where if you spend $100.00, you get $20.00 instantly. That reel and a lure would set me back about $50.00 all said and done.

Wow, I'm talking myself into a Lew's. My only problem with the Lew's is they're small, and I have big hands with big thumbs (I realize this problem is all in my brain.)

Thanks,
Patrick

I bought a Lew's Tournament Pro Speed Spool Baitcast - 7.1:1 this Spring for $149 and like it better than all my Abu's so far. Very smooth casting and reeling, you won't be dissapointed if you get one. Unless you have extremely freakishly big gorilla hands (in which case EVERYTHING would be too small), this reel will be fine for you! Good luck and keep us posted on your choice and how you like it afterwards.

Im surprised there isn't more love for Daiwa on here. I picked up my first Tatula 7.3:1 this spring for $149 now they can be had on amazon for $103. I've spent some time with a buddies speed spool tournament edition and I don't think I'd even swap it for that. I just picked up 2 Tatula Type R's because they were only ~$135 on amazon instead of the $199 they launched at.

My lews BB1 pro speed spool was my favorite reel until today. I got it for christmas to use on my frog rod so I've only been using it for a month or so. The line guide starting sticking and piling the line up on one side of the spool. I thought it might be dirt causing it to stick so I cleaned it and lubed it but it's still sticking. Maybe I got a bad one. I have another Lews reel and like it. My gut is to still recommend the Lews.

I was leaning towards a Lew's Speed Spool or Lew's Tournament MG.

However, I went to Dick's in Natik last night, and they still had the Wright McGill Skeet Reese Victory Baitcaster, and when the guy checked the price is was $37.48. At that price, for a reel with it's specs, I couldn't pass it up.

I brought it home, lubed it up (it was dry as a bone), and spooled it up with 15 lb fluro.

I fished it today for about 2 hours, throwing jigs, spinner baits and worms. It performed well. It gets the job done and was definitely worth the price paid.

- Patrick

Also, thanks everyone for your input.

I had one of those paid 65. The drag kept slipping. I gave it away

I had one of those paid 65. The drag kept slipping. I gave it away

Now you tell me.

Shawn, what's your recommendation for a 99-150 reel?

Thanks,
Patrick

Like I said earlier in the thread I say Lews. I paid 168 on eBay for my bb1 pro in December. Might have come down. But I've heard good things about the other models. You have to pay attention though. Lews has a bb1, bb1 pro and a bb2. I have both the bb1 and bb1 pro. Both good but I like the pro's braking system 100x more.
My next suggestion would be an Abu Garcia revo stx. I get those on eBay for 152. Solid reel for sure.

Yeah, I determined that the reel sucks. It's loud, not smooth, and difficult to adjust.

I'm going to see if I can return it, and save my pennies to buy a Lew's or maybe a Pflueger Supreme XT (I have a Pflueger Trion, that's my favorite baitcaster.)

Thanks everyone for your input.

- Patrick

I've returned the Wright & McGill Skeet Reese Victory Baitcaster.

I've put my Shimano Citica 200G6 up on eBay.

Now I just need to decide which Lew's to get, Speed Spool, Tournament MG, or BB1.

I just need to figure out my price point, given that I only recreationally fish from shore a few times a week, but I want a reel that will last years.

Thank you to everyone for your input, especially you Shawn.

- Patrick

I don't want to add confusion to your your reel decision but I want to at least mention this as a possibility. I myself just picked up a lews BB1 pro 7.1. So far I love it. However I've only owned it for a week. You mentioned you want something that last a long time. Consider trying to find a shimano Curado E series. I have them and I continue to try and scoop them if I see any. Anyone will agree that the older Curado E series is a top notch reel and has proven themselves to last years. They come up on ebay. I have the 201e7. It's left hand retrieve and I couldn't be happier with it. The E series is made in Japan and will be stamped on the bottom. After the E came the G. I have never owned a G but from what I have read and been told- they suck. G was made in Malaysia to save money and they were made really cheap. I went with the lews just to try something different and "new". Good luck!

I don't want to add confusion to your your reel decision but I want to at least mention this as a possibility. I myself just picked up a lews BB1 pro 7.1. So far I love it. However I've only owned it for a week. You mentioned you want something that last a long time. Consider trying to find a shimano Curado E series. I have them and I continue to try and scoop them if I see any. Anyone will agree that the older Curado E series is a top notch reel and has proven themselves to last years. They come up on ebay. I have the 201e7. It's left hand retrieve and I couldn't be happier with it. The E series is made in Japan and will be stamped on the bottom. After the E came the G. I have never owned a G but from what I have read and been told- they suck. G was made in Malaysia to save money and they were made really cheap. I went with the lews just to try something different and "new". Good luck!

Joep, thank you for the advice. I will take a look at the Curado E.

Like I said earlier in the thread I say Lews. I paid 168 on eBay for my bb1 pro in December. Might have come down. But I've heard good things about the other models. You have to pay attention though. Lews has a bb1, bb1 pro and a bb2. I have both the bb1 and bb1 pro. Both good but I like the pro's braking system 100x more.
My next suggestion would be an Abu Garcia revo stx. I get those on eBay for 152. Solid reel for sure.

Shawn, what is it you like better about the BB1 Pro braking system vs the BB1?

They both have centrifugal brakes. On the BB1, the side plate, which is not retained, has to be removed, and it has 6 pins. On the BB1 Pro adjustment is external, and there are 27 settings.

I'm really leaning towards the BB1, but I don't want to buy a reel with a shitty braking system.