walleyeslayer18 Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 I have been catfishing from shore at night for awhile now and my friends and i have been using bells on the tip of our poles to alert us. but i would really like an open faced reel with a clicker. (not familiar with baitcasters). i was wondering if someone could let me know of an open faced reel with a clicker big enough for catfishing for a decent price. or if i could buy a used one from someone that still works! Any help would be greatly appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MinnesnowtaWild Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 Okuma ABF-50 or ABF-65I love my ABF-50 and I feel more confident with that reel for big Flatheads than my 6600C4. They are extremely affordable for such a quality reel at $40-45. The one thing I don't like about it is the clicker is a bit quiet BUT it works great and is adjustable. It gets the job done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walleyeslayer18 Posted August 10, 2009 Author Share Posted August 10, 2009 Thank you for that post i will definately take a look at that!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTro Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 There are several options available for an open face baitfeeder reel. Shimano Baitrunner Okuma Avenger and Epixor Penn Liveliner Cabelas SaltStriker (same as Okuma for a lighter price) Being able to adjust tension is very nice on these reels. Be warned though that in all cases, the clicker is not very audible and most likely for shore fishing at night you will need some sort of visual feedback such as a lightstick clipped to your line or something. Sometimes we can barely hear these go off in the boat, but then again we could just be getting old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walleyeslayer18 Posted August 10, 2009 Author Share Posted August 10, 2009 Good point, i will pick up some light sticks for the visual as well! It will be nice to finally have a clicker though, one of the best sounds to hear! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MinnesnowtaWild Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 Yeah although not very audible, they are still very functional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAB Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 Toad Smith used to pull out some slack line and lay a stick on top of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudcatman Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 Toad Smith used to pull out some slack line and lay a stick on top of it. Yeah but Otis was as "old school" as they get. He probably thought clickers were stupid... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
River Runner Z Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 or you can buy glow tape team catfish makes a good one or a berkly glow stick wich are not very expensive and are a reliable rod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTro Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 My favorite is Dark30’s cork device. Attach to line via a slot and interference fit, then a simple snap swivel attached to line to keep it from floating away if it falls off. Drill a small hole for a glow stick to fit in. Voila…visual bite indicator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wooduck26 Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 Shimano Baitrunner Be warned though that in all cases, the clicker is not very audible Really? I think the Schimano has a good volume on the clicker...not as loud as some I've heard, but it will wake you up from a quick nap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTro Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 Of the bunch I listed Shimano is tops for sure in the volume and frequency, but won't hold up against something like an ABU 7000. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Foss Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 I think I'm missing something. Wasn't the OP specifically talking about baitcasting reels, not spinning reels? Reading the post, I see a person could take it either way. Years and years for shorefishing cats, I just always used Ambassadeur 6500 series baitcasting reels, which stood the guff, had a plenty loud clicker (and the tension is adjustable) and could be had on sale for $75. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pureinsanity Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 My favorite is Dark30’s cork device. Attach to line via a slot and interference fit, then a simple snap swivel attached to line to keep it from floating away if it falls off. Drill a small hole for a glow stick to fit in. Voila…visual bite indicator. I actually just use the rubber thing made for bobbers and put the glow stick in that. I will take a picture tonight and upload it. I also made a small incision to the rubber piece and added a small zip tie for added support and security that it will not fall of. Works great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTro Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 an open faced reel with a clicker big enough for catfishing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pureinsanity Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 I think I'm missing something. Wasn't the OP specifically talking about baitcasting reels, not spinning reels? Reading the post, I see a person could take it either way. Years and years for shorefishing cats, I just always used Ambassadeur 6500 series baitcasting reels, which stood the guff, had a plenty loud clicker (and the tension is adjustable) and could be had on sale for $75. I am pretty sure he is talking about a good spinning reel as he is not too familiar with bait casters. However I wouldn't discourage away from them. after a couple hours practicing casting and removing a bunch of backlash one can get a hang of it. Once fine tuned you are good to go. I rarely even stick my thumb on the spool now I have mine tuned up to where it shouldn't back lash unless i get aggressive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DARK30 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 I have a Penn Liveliner as of last year. Its not cheap but very nice and its one of the last remaining "Made In The USA" reels out there. The clicker is not loud so yes, a "flying bobber" is a must...especially if your going def Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pureinsanity Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 I actually just use the rubber thing made for bobbers and put the glow stick in that. I will take a picture tonight and upload it. I also made a small incision to the rubber piece and added a small zip tie for added support and security that it will not fall of. Works great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTro Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 What I'm talking about is actually attaching something to your line or as Dark call's it, a "flying bobber". That way, you can be fairly far away from your pole and glance at the line and see if it has been taken out or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordie Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 dont know if they still make them but I have a shimmano 650 baitrunner model that is a great cat reel and the clicker is adjustable and is a deep tone clicker I purchased it in 1986 and it hasnt ever given me a problem except that now my son Joey loves it so he claimed it as his. I run 80lb berkly fusion on it and it handels very well.I have also taken a lighted bobber battery and have tapped it to my rod tip with electrical tape as a strike indacator its nice cause you can push the light to go off iff not using or pull on when you want it on and is viusable from quite a distance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MinnesnowtaWild Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 Good idea elwood...I might rig up something creative like that because buying glowsticks from the bait shops gets real expensive real fast.Did you tape the whole bobber on there or just remove the light from it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordie Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 just the light stick tape it on tight and it will stay thru any style hook set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowblazah Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 buying glowsticks from the bait shops gets real expensive real fast. Theres an online auction HSOforum that solved that problem for me. I think I spent 15 bucks and got over 100 of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howellcanufish Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 Dark30, any problems with your Penn? I'm looking to purchase one but have never used them before. How is the clicker sound...loud? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MinnesnowtaWild Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 Originally Posted By: MinnesnowtaWild buying glowsticks from the bait shops gets real expensive real fast. Theres an online auction HSOforum that solved that problem for me. I think I spent 15 bucks and got over 100 of them. Yeah I have looked online at those too, hmmmm I'll figure something out one way or another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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