Newbie reel question

[Ridgerunnr]

I have a AG 6500C3 on a 7 ft rod for multi purpose musky baits..However..looking for a reel to slap on the new 8ft6 rod. Thinking of one for mostly heavy baits and Cowgirls..any advice on Reel ratio? Looking at the AG Revos but several models and my pocket book likes the 150.00 mark...I see a HS with 7.1 ratios and also 6.4..While i understand the 7.1 reels in more line is it harder to reel tho using heavy baits? I guess i dont truly understand what ratio does other than get line in faster..does the lower ratio make is physically easier to reel the DCG's etc? Help me folks..lol

[Nick Kuhn]

In regards to muskie fishing people are talking the Revo Toro (much larger than a Revo STX), which comes in a 5.4:1 gear ratio standard (lower for the Winch and higher for the HS). If you tried to bring in a DCG with a 7.1 STX either you or the reel would break within the first hour of fishing.

[Ridgerunnr]

Then that begs the question why spend 270.00 for a 5.4 ratio reel when i can get a 5.3 6500 c3 for 85 bux? Are they THAT much better/smoother /easier?..or use the old 6500 for DCG and buy a faster retrieve for burnin smaller blades etc?

[urban cowboy]

Get a Calcuta 400b.

[Ridgerunnr]

My fishin buddy has a Calcutta B..biggest POS in the boat..his ol AG 5500's are still going and the Calcutta has been sent in for repairs twice now..While the warranty service is great for that kind of money it shouldnt be in the shop in the first place..much less a second time..Id pass on that and go with a Revo if i was going to shell out that kind of money...

[smeese]

There are worse out there then the Calcutta's but I bought the High end Calcutta and got 15-20 min out of it before it broke. UGH

[Esox_Magnum]

Then that begs the question why spend 270.00 for a 5.4 ratio reel when i can get a 5.3 6500 c3 for 85 bux? Are they THAT much better/smoother /easier?..or use the old 6500 for DCG and buy a faster retrieve for burnin smaller blades etc?

Reason being is for the most part they last, a 6500 won't last pulling cowgirls long.... We own several brands of reels and the Calcuttas have by far been the best. We currently run Calcutta B's, Diawa Luna 300's, Curado 300 DSV, Revo Toro 60's, Okuma Induron 400's, and a couple old 400 Shimano Corsair CS's........ All have been in service at least a year some as many as 6 ( old corsairs) and few problems with any but all have had something go wrong with them , we use them and use them hard, my reels already have 60+ trips on them this year alone....

[Ridgerunnr]

ESOX...whats the gear ratio on your revo..I see they offer one in 4.6:1..never cranked one with that low a ratio..to toss DCG and Dawgs what would you go with ?? 4:6, 5:4, 6:4,??

[Esox_Magnum]

I run the 5.4 works well for me and that is my cowgirl reel.....I do pull them at times on the 300 DSV and thats something like 6.1

[tonkapat]

forget the gear ratio's the main number your looking for is line pickup per crank. curado 300e 28" this number is a little bit misleading on this reel as it does not hold much line and a good cast will cast over a third of the spool thus bringing in less line per crank than advertised. saltist 20 or 30 35" per crank. 400b 24" per crank. Imo your a looking for a saltist 20. Within 20$ of your price range and hands down the best reel in that price range( or most any price range).

[hunter991]

If you are looking for a reel to pull large blades, look no further than the Revo.. the 4:6 WINCH specifically. I have one paired up with my okuma 8'6" XXH for large dbl 10's and bigger... Its a night and day difference over the round reels. whatever you do thou, stay away from the 5600's etc..... these reels will not last on regular baits much less towing a dbl 10. the Revo is pricy but i am sold on how well they tow the larger baits.

[kingfish689]

JMO..Shimano is gears. Shimano does not just get to a gear ratio. they get there with the least amount of torque on the gears. (shimano fishing reels are just something they build with thier fine gears).when it comes to gears I am not sure you can beat shimano. it just stands to reason that the reels they build with them gears would also be top of the line .and with minimun torque. It should last along time also. thats my 2 cents on fishing reels.

[urban cowboy]

Then that begs the question why spend 270.00 for a 5.4 ratio reel when i can get a 5.3 6500 c3 for 85 bux? Are they THAT much better/smoother /easier?..or use the old 6500 for DCG and buy a faster retrieve for burnin smaller blades etc?

I have a question, why does a new Cadillac cost $50,000 and a new Ford Focus cost $15,000?????

And you say the Calcuta is a POS.

[tonkapat]

Just remember revo toro winch = 21" of line per turn. Now if you really enjoy turning the handle of your real a lot its the one for you. Many high speed options available for that kind of money. For fishing the milfoil of the metro or the shallow rocks of the north I'll stick with a higher speed option. Good luck

[HugoBox]

Avoiding any Chevy/Ford debate for an all around reel I'd give the saltist 20 a shot. I have a couple 7Ks and they're fine but thu are also the new ones and have both been back to Iowa more than once. I have a couple Curados and love them but wouldn't use them for pulling big blades a lot. I have a Luna that is great but I'm pretty sure I've had some issues with anti reverse but haven't had to send it in... yet. I also have a Trinidad that is great for big blades but that's pretty much all I'd use it for. I guess the point is that while all of them are great in places, if I had to take one reel for a week long trip for all around use it would be the Saltist.

[Ridgerunnr]

I never said the calcutta was a POS..i stated what I have seen..its been broke down twice with gearing issues..while i understand its only ONE reel its still a concern. Also it had only a few hours on it when it broke and the repair person siad it was just worn out and initially refused a warranty. A for cadillac vs Focus..yep SOMETIMES you get what you pay for..BUT if i wanted a caddy id buy one but i cant afford one so i wil go with the best Focus i can afford LOL ..checking out the Saltist and the Revo Toro 5:3..

[Ridgerunnr]

I never said the calcutta was a POS..i stated what I have seen..its been broke down twice with gearing issues..while i understand its only ONE reel its still a concern. Also it had only a few hours on it when it broke and the repair person siad it was just worn out and initially refused a warranty. A for cadillac vs Focus..yep SOMETIMES you get what you pay for..BUT if i wanted a caddy id buy one but i cant afford one so i wil go with the best Focus i can afford LOL ..checking out the Saltist and the Revo Toro 5:3..

[rugbymn]

All I've got to say is that my Calcutta 400TE is smoother than melted butter on a puppy's butt. End. Of. Story. I'll use my 6500 and 6600 when I need a little speed, but for the most part, the 400TE is worth every penny and then some.

[urban cowboy]

I would save a little more money and hold out for a caddy. You will be much happier in the long run. JMO.

Sorry about the Calcuta thing. My Calcuta's are like my baby's. I wouldnt trade them for anything.

[Ridgerunnr]

Yeah when it comes to gear its nice to start out with the best BUT trying to buy some lake property to fish more often so the budget is in the Ford Focus range LOL ..I will someday get the Calcutta/Cadillac/Saltist/ mack daddy reel tho