Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Fishing2474life on January 26, 2011, 12:34:06 PM
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Hey guys, just looking to get a new baitcast and I was wondering what reel I should get??
Thanks in advance,
-Fishing2474life
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daiwa Z 2020HL
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i gotta say the Abu Garcia record series catches my eye as well as the Abu Garcia EXT 6600. the shimano calcutta400 te was nice, i enjoyed it greatly, the daiwa lunas are really nice. i use a abu Garcia 5500c4 and i love it, its all about you my friend, take it easy and i hope the new reel lands you your biggest fish yet..
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Well it depends on the fishing your gunna do but I have a shimano Calcutta 250 and I love it!!! I use it for coho and steelhead but if your gunna fish bigger rivers I'd go with the Calcutta 400 or if you got the money get the 400TE there sick aswell.
All the reels ive listed are very dependable and very smooth and fast so check them out ; )
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Daiwa Luna lovely reel, but I also love the old style of the Abus.
(http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT7Hw6qi6MT32aLniKYLBRqIw3yCMGGPPkhB5oamaVR4Ka8tKUy&t=1)
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From the ones currently on the market I think Daiwa luna 253 deserves a close look.
I am currently using this as my main reel and it is a very high quality product.
In the past, I was also a die hard ABU Ambassadeur fan like my dad, but I have recently switched to Daiwa.
ABU's legendary products like the 5000C are true gems that will last a life time of use, but sadly can't buy them any more.
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ABU's legendary products like the 5000C are true gems that will last a life time of use, but sadly can't buy them any more.
Why not?
There's still plenty of them on eBay.
And all parts are still so easily available - the beauty of the Ambassadeur.
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Do you have a budget?
Do you fish alot?
There are a few good used ones in the buy and sell section.
Abu's are tried and and true and good value for the money and if it's lost, busted or stolen you're not out too much.
You can spend lots if you want but if you're new at this, save some money, buy GOOD used if possible and upgrade as your experience and passion guide you.
The fish don't care how much your reel costs.
Having the best might make you look good, but then you cast..........
...... and the dream is over.
Don't get me wrong, good equipment is important but spending too much on something before you know what YOU want is silly.
and besides CHROME, What's the best color?
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Why not?
There's still plenty of them on eBay.
And all parts are still so easily available - the beauty of the Ambassadeur.
Yes, they can be bought used on eBay.
But a 5000C would be around 40 years old and I am not sure I would want to use one for everyday use.
For everyday use, I would probably go with a new 5600C4.
They sell at good price on eBay.
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Diawa Luna, had an Abu before and this thing is like butter compared to my old Abu.
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I have a Diawa luna 300 right now and want something a little smaller, just for fishing steelhead and coho. Anyone have any suggestions and price? I need to be able to handle fish up to 20 pounds with not much stress, and needs to be super smooth. Basically just a smaller profile reel.
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I have a Diawa luna 300 right now and want something a little smaller, just for fishing steelhead and coho. Anyone have any suggestions and price? I need to be able to handle fish up to 20 pounds with not much stress, and needs to be super smooth. Basically just a smaller profile reel.
Then just get the luna 253.
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I have a Diawa luna 300 right now and want something a little smaller, just for fishing steelhead and coho. Anyone have any suggestions and price? I need to be able to handle fish up to 20 pounds with not much stress, and needs to be super smooth. Basically just a smaller profile reel.
If you've got used to the silky smoothness of a Luna, it might not be easy to be satisfied with a low profile reel.
I think you should also consider a 253 together with other low profile reels.
253 have magnetic backlash control so are more easy to use.
If you do find a low profile with the same smoothness of a Luna, do let me know as I am also looking for such a reel to use on my light bait caster.
I am still looking for a reel that is lighter than a 253 but equally smooth and well built.
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If you've got used to the silky smoothness of a Luna, it might not be easy to be satisfied with a low profile reel.
I think you should also consider a 253 together with other low profile reels.
253 have magnetic backlash control so are more easy to use.
If you do find a low profile with the same smoothness of a Luna, do let me know as I am also looking for such a reel to use on my light bait caster.
I am still looking for a reel that is lighter than a 253 but equally smooth and well built.
the Calais is pretty smooth
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the Calais is pretty smooth
I checked the specs for Calais at the Shimano website.
Definitely top notch specs, but price is also very high even at eBay, something like 1.5X Luna 253L.
Maybe something to consider at Christmas this year, but not earlier. ;)
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I use a Calcutta 400 as an all purpose reel after using Abu's for many years . I would definately go with a Calcutta over an Abu if you can afford it. I found I was constantly having to change the pall on the Abu's . Calcutta is far more durable and nicer to use.
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I picked up a brand new Calais for a gift to myself .....Love it !!!
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I picked up a brand new Calais for a gift to myself .....Love it !!!
Lucky you! An early Christmas for you! ;D ;D ;D
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Yeah, I really like my old 35 years or more ABU Ambassaduer 6000C, 5000C and 4500C baitcaster reels. They heavy but build solid and strong. I guess I am old fashion fisherman.
Silex-user.
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im using an abu garcia kalex 61 and its been doing great
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I picked up a brand new Calais for a gift to myself .....Love it !!!
you hear that Nitro?!?!!? He picked up a Calais and he LOVES IT! (hint hint...)
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--have and use an old DAM late 60's at the time sold by woodwards and cost less than the ABU.
--I recall ABU users turning their backs in disgust as apparently even in the good old days there were certain sections of river that were reserved for the elite anglers.
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I think the best reel/dollar spent has got to be the Abu Record. Tighter than the C3 and C4 drivetrains, much lighter in hand and shorter handles than than the Luna. Very simple internally which is a huge plus in my books. My only complain is that the casting brake seems more sensitive to water than some other reels I've fished and it doesn't cast well after being submersed.
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I think the best reel/dollar spent has got to be the Abu Record. Tighter than the C3 and C4 drivetrains, much lighter in hand and shorter handles than than the Luna. Very simple internally which is a huge plus in my books. My only complain is that the casting brake seems more sensitive to water than some other reels I've fished and it doesn't cast well after being submersed.
I second this, the good part anyway. I have a 61hc and love it, a pleasure to fish with. I haven't had any problems with the brake or casting when wet probably because I usually don't drop my reel in the water :-\
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Hey guys, just looking to get a new baitcast and I was wondering what reel I should get??
Thanks in advance,
-Fishing2474life
Hi there ! As put, the question is not an easy one to answer. Most of the variables have been already covered by the posters in the thread.
I'll just go over a few of them as a 'refresher'. In priority order.
-Specie of fish targetted, and where. (eg: trolling for kokanee, or casting for chum)
-Frequency of trips to the water. (casual usage, or a super-keener)
-Cash available for reel of choice. Example: A calcutta 400 is about 3 times the cost of a 6500C3.
-Level of fishing expertise. (with respect: many folks fish pretty hard, and over-tax the gear)
-Level of comfort in the DIY universe. (Wanna fix your own?)
-Your location compared to parts/repair sources.
-Pride of ownership.
Once you have your search narrowed down in your thoughts, I strongly suggest you visit the sites where the technical drawings live. Daiwa for Daiwa, Shimano for Shimano, and Purefishing for Abu. Take a look at the drawings, and note part numbers for common repair items:
line pawls, handles, worms, etc. Then check for replacement cost, because you will be needing them down the road.
Best of luck in your search for that perfect reel !!!! Good fishing, Ken.
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I love my Calcutta 250.
Picked up on ebay many years ago and havent had one problem with it.
It hasnt been fished much lately but that reel seen a lot of use for about 8 years.
If i fished the Chilliwack more then i would probably get the 400.
Havent tried the Calais or other newer types but have owne Abu,s and they dont rate compared to the Calcutta imo.
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Calcutta 400TE.
Upgrade to the ceramic drag system and your good to go.
Although pricey,they are a sweet ride.
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curado 300E, 240 yards of 12lb is plenty of line capacity in a low pro 'bass' reel.
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luna 300 and love it.
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I agree with YG, the low profile reels are probably better suited for Steelhead and have plenty of line capacity and are much more comfortable to fish. From Shimano you can get a top end Calais, which is the Ferrari of baitcasters, next up would be a Chronarch which is still a high end reel for about $350, or go budget and get a Curado, another fanatastic reel.
Casting distance with these low profile reels is untouchable, especially when using just a light spinner or spoon for coho or steelhead.
With these low profile Shimanos you get the "super free" system which allows you to quickly adjust the amount of casting drag to suit the technique you are using, when I adjust my Chronarch to no casting drag at all, I can side arm pitch a 3/8 oz spinner clear across the Thompson nearly emptying the spool. With my old school Calcutta 400's I can basically not fish anything under 1/2 oz as it doesn't cast well at all.
My 2 cents
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i have a Quantum E760PT and it has a gear ratio of 6.3:1 i can to burn a spinnerbait through the reeds, but also i can slow it down enough to drag a bait on the bottom when the bite gets tough. never thought of using it on a stream but for the pinks in the lower Fraser this thread has got me thinking. i have many abu garcia's and enjoy them greatly but with the new center-pin i canceled out the Calais on the have to have list... it is is a nice reel don't get me wrong, but the new Caenan has caught my eye with a gear ratio of 6.5:1 and a line capacity of Mono 8/180, 10/155, 14/110 Power Pro 30/190, 50/120, 65/80 i feel that i can put this reel to some heavy use this summer and still have funds for gear needed... take it easy...
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i have a Quantum E760PT and it has a gear ratio of 6.3:1 i can to burn a spinnerbait through the reeds, but also i can slow it down enough to drag a bait on the bottom when the bite gets tough. never thought of using it on a stream but for the pinks in the lower Fraser this thread has got me thinking. i have many abu garcia's and enjoy them greatly but with the new center-pin i canceled out the Calais on the have to have list... it is is a nice reel don't get me wrong, but the new Caenan has caught my eye with a gear ratio of 6.5:1 and a line capacity of Mono 8/180, 10/155, 14/110 Power Pro 30/190, 50/120, 65/80 i feel that i can put this reel to some heavy use this summer and still have funds for gear needed... take it easy...
Forget the caenan and move up to an e7 curado. They can be had for 135 USD online and it will be worth it over the caenan.
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Being old school,i use my ambassadeurs, my favorite being my old black 6000c,of which i have 4, for fun sometimes i use my 5000d direct drive, but that being said i have a daiwa luna which i use on the Thompson and Fraser, for long casts and silky smooth drag i don't think it can be beat. I think a person should try different reels and use the one they feel most comfy with.
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The new E series Curado is a wicked piece of kit. The SF are awesome as well. If your hard on your gear like me, Curado's will not let you down. I still have a few of the old green ones that have to be close to 15 yrs old and I still use them and they have never given me any problems. If you have a few extra bucks to spend go for the Chronarch, they still amaze me how silky smooth they are. The Shimano Core is suppose to be really nice as well. I have never used one yet but a few buddies who have them say they would never buy another one as they think the Chronarch is a nicer reel. The great thing about Shimano is parts and service is readily available pretty well everywhere. I have started playing around with some phleuger reels and they seem to be really good for the money and well made. Most come with an extra spool which is nice. They haven't disappointed me yet and I will be buying a couple of their baitcaster reels this summer. So far I have only used their spinning gear but I am impressed so far.
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I am still looking for a low profile reel to go with my 8-12lb casting rod.
From practical point, how does Curado compare with the more higher end models in the Shimano lineup like Calais and others?
Also, anyone tried any of the Daiwa low profiles?
My personal reference is the Luna 253L.
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I have an Abu revo premier 2010 and like it.