Musky Reel Help

[axman19]

I am looking for a reel in the $150 price range. I have read alot of reviews and message boards and I keep seeing people say their abu's are junk and wouldnt buy one of those. I have not had one problem with my abu's that I have owned for bass fishing. So please no abu's are junk replies. I am considering the record 60 w/power handle and 7000 model. They are 149.99-159.99 and have a $20 rebate and I get an additional $10 off at sportsmans warehouse. I am going to throw alot of #11 and #13 bucktails. Which one of these two or is there a shimano someone would recommend in that price range. Thanks in advance for advice.

[Esox_Magnum]

Okuma Induron 400 IDX with power handle. About $120 I think. I won't tell you Abu's are junk if you are set on a Record buy 2.

[10,000 Casts]

Abu's aren't junk, every company has price points and as you spend more money you get a higher quality reel.

The Record is a great reel. It's the best $150 reel for the big stuff and all around use imo. The only downside is that for some reason, the crank can come loose and I have seen some with play in the anti reverse. The new 7000's are just for the bigger blades, someone might argue that but that's all that I'd want it for. I'd still go with the record if I could only have 1 reel and I only had $150 to spend.

Don't forget about the $20 for the line. Try to have them spool it for free...

[Ice-King2]

Don't forget daiwa saltist its also a great reel for big blades. It has similar characteristics to the trinidad, but it may be a little more than your considering at about $180. If you were dead set on an abu like stated previously a lot of people use the 7000 for big blades.

[Quackaddict9]

Don't forget daiwa saltist its also a great reel for big blades. It has similar characteristics to the trinidad, but it may be a little more than your considering at about $180. If you were dead set on an abu like stated previously a lot of people use the 7000 for big blades.

You can also shop around and find deals on Saltists, Luna 300s...I got both of my Daiwa Luna 300 brand new for under $160 and have a Saltist 30 on its way that I got for $138. I've heard good stuff about Okuma Indurons but have not tried these out. Abu 7000 are good reels, take care of them and I'm sure you will. Hope you find a reel that will suit you well!

[axman19]

Thank you for the replys. I should have said earlier this reel is going to be mainly for the dcg's for me and also to use as kind of an extra rod for friends to throw bucktails.

[JRedig]

I'd recommend searching, reels have been covered repeatedly on this forum.

[axman19]

Sorry I didnt see any record 60 vs 7000 posts.

[Quackaddict9]

No apologies needed...Don't worry about what Jredig said, there are people who are gladly to answer questions again and again. It happens all the time on the forums all over!!!

for DCG a good reel for your price would be Abu Garcia 7000iC3 and if you are willing to shop around the net you could find some good deals on different reels that would work for DCG/Big Blades. Good Luck!

I don't see any record 60 vs 7000 c3 threads either

[Rebel9921]

The "Abus are junk" rants are more of opinions based on experience so regardless of what you ask, people will still express their opinions...

I basically grew up using nothing but Abu Garcia and Daiwa reels... and I absolutely loved them up until I started fishing for muskies... Dont get me wrong... there are many who still swears by them... from what I could break down, it really depends on your fishing style, ur ability to really abuse a reel, and the ability to do regular maintenance...

My first year of muskie fishing, I managed to blow out 2 Abu 6600C3, and took advices of others here, decided to upgrade to 7000iC3 for my 2nd year... 2nd year came and went... and I managed to blow out 3 7000iC3... My fishing style would consists of this, cast then slow rolling back to the boat, then cast and med-roll back to the boat, then cast and really BURN it back to the boat... I usually do that in the 5-10 yard area of casting... and all three 7000iC3 blew out on the 3rd cast where I'd burn it back to the boat...

Im not shooting down the 7000iC3... just that it doesnt fit my style... There are several other options to 7000iC3 such as Daiwa Saltist, Shimano Torium, and customized 7000 reels with gears upgraded, drag upgraded etc etc... I've heard good reviews about Okuma Red Isis which is in the same price range as a Saltist and Torium... Red Isis now comes in twin paddles thats as big as their powerhandles... Right now, Im in the market for new reels... and I've been leaning towards Daiwa Saltist for big baits and Okuma Red Isis (Twin Paddles) for jerk-baits, Topwaters, etc etc...

Hope this helps...

[propster]

I'd second Quack, I wouldn't recommend the Record for big blades. I own and use both the record and the 7000, and use the 7000 for the big blades.

[eyehead]

Rebel brings up a good point. If all your going to do is slow roll your Cowgirl's in, you will be fine with a 7000. If you plan on burning blades at all with it. You will be in for a big disapointment imo. I used one for 2, maybe 3 times out a couple years ago and got rid of it. I sugggest you hook up with someone who has a couple different reels and try them out for yourself and see what YOU like.

[lunge]

im a shimano guy and Id go with the cardiff in the 300 sz. for small hands and 400 for large hands. Id add a powerhandle the only problem is that you have to buy the one for the calcutta b, and with the power handle your looking at 140 ish, I pull big blades and large cranks all day with no prob. I run it on the okuma evx rod, and love it. for the big double tens you'll burn out any real if you throw them all day, for many days a year. ive been running the cardiff for three years now, and no problems. ive even used them for snook and tarpon in fl, so I know if it can pull in a 140 lb. fish it can pull 30 lb. fish out of coontail, and milfoil. I run 65 lb pp with no problems-good luck

[axman19]

Thanks for all the great imput guys. I just left my local store with 2 7000's. I really liked the feel of the 7000 on a rod. Now here is another reason $119.00-$20 mail in rebate. $99 for each one. I figured if I do burn one up I have an extra, and in the case I do not burn one up(which i am guessing is the more likely of the two options) I will have two nice heavy duty reels for under $200.

[cbrooks]

good choice.

[Quinn]

I bought the 7000i for $110 last month. After talking to a few pros they recommended I spend a little more and I upgraded to a daiwa saltist-lw30HA (got it for $160) for burning bulldawgs and large bucktails. They said the 7000i will burn up fast. Anyway is the saltist supposed to make a clicking sound when being reeled or am I doing something wrong?

[HugoBox]

im a shimano guy and Id go with the cardiff in the 300 sz. for small hands and 400 for large hands.

Lunge - I picked up a Cardiff 400 cause there was a really good deal - will I be happy? I have a couple Curados for the smaller stuff and a couple 7000's for big blades so this will be a utility reel - prolly used a lot on an 8-6 Thorne XH for throwing dawgs. I'm really anxious to see how it goes and am happy to see 1 positive endorsement.

thanks - erik

[50inchpig]

quinn, sounds like your bait clicker is on, i haven't used my saltist enough to know exactly where it is but that's your only problem.