Catfish reel

[DTro]

Yes

They are both great reels. Some river fisherman actually prefer the bushing version (less expensive) due to the river silt being so fine and getting into bearings.

If you are on a budget also check out Omoto and Ming Yang. They are basically a Chinese knockoff of the Abu's. I've heard a few good reviews on these, but never used them.

Penn is tough to beat. Always a good choice.

Okuma makes a decent reel, but if it breaks I've heard some bad CS stories.

[Here-Kitty-Kitty]

Yep my newest reel is a Penn 9m. Its only been broken in on like three fish, but so far so good. Love the clicker, its a totally different sound. Not to mention it holds up to a strong current with a big bait. Nothing fancy about the look, just a hard working reel.

[Brad B]

one thing also to think about is if you happen to be looking for a left handed reel then your only option would be a 7000I (actually a left handed is a 7001I). Abu does not make a 7000C3 in a left handed verison(I wish they would thou). price difference is a 7000I can be found for $90.00 and a 7000C3 for $150.00

[Moneymurphy]

What do you guys think about the CS Pro Rocket? Is it a lot better than the 7000i or does it only have an extra bearing and thats it?

[Ralph Wiggum]

My opinion, save your self the money and stick with a bushing reel. Not only because of river silt and grime being tough on bearings, but how many casts are you actually making per outing? 10 or so? And they are generally short casts with heavy weight. No need for expensive bearings, IMHO, unless you've just got to have them.

[APCfishing]

I have a 7000ic3 and use it for both cats and muskies! although I wouldnt dare fish with it from shore.

[pureinsanity]

one thing also to think about is if you happen to be looking for a left handed reel then your only option would be a 7000I (actually a left handed is a 7001I). Abu does not make a 7000C3 in a left handed verison(I wish they would thou). price difference is a 7000I can be found for $90.00 and a 7000C3 for $150.00

Put the reel on a spinning rod, than you will have a reverse left handed reel! :-D

[pureinsanity]

My opinion, save your self the money and stick with a bushing reel. Not only because of river silt and grime being tough on bearings, but how many casts are you actually making per outing? 10 or so? And they are generally short casts with heavy weight. No need for expensive bearings, IMHO, unless you've just got to have them.

Good advice on the silt. No matter how hard you try if your shore fishing sand is going to be EVERYWHERE. Even people who fish out of their boat seem to get sand in it.

Id say I cast at least 20 times an outing. and no short casts? I whip that sucker out as far as I can in most cases. And when nights are really slow you try to see who can make it across the river with their back up rod. So far I have only seen Here Kitty Kitty be able to cast from bank to bank.

Remember that night Keven? Was that the night the mattress was floating down the river and we tried to snag it?

[Brad B]

What do you guys think about the CS Pro Rocket? Is it a lot better than the 7000i or does it only have an extra bearing and thats it?

that reel is just a dressed up 6500. it is the same capacity as a 6500c3. the retrieve ratio is the same. the only difference is the color and the fact that it has dual casting control(what ever that is).

I personally use a 6501C3 for channel cats and use a 7001I on my flathead rod.(the 01 verisons are the left handed models)

[Here-Kitty-Kitty]

lol ya same night

[Brad B]

I never said I use them on the same night or the same time atleast not in minnesota. now down in missouri or kansas yes I would run them both at the same time since it is legal down there. Hopefully minnesoata will pass the two line rule this year.

[Ralph Wiggum]

I whip that sucker out as far as I can in most cases.

Fair enough. I guess I was referring to fishing from a boat, where I don't generally cast very far. Regardless, with 4 oz of lead and a 7+ inch bullhead, you can cast pretty far without bearings.

[pureinsanity]

Fair enough. I guess I was referring to fishing from a boat, where I don't generally cast very far. Regardless, with 4 oz of lead and a 7+ inch bullhead, you can cast pretty far without bearings.

Hmm I still whip it from a boat too. Maybe that is why I do not catch much? Maybe I need to just drop her in back of the boat

[Gordie]

I think you told that along time ago Pureinsanity

[pureinsanity]

I think you told that along time ago Pureinsanity

[Here-Kitty-Kitty]

Gordie we know thats only cause he is over compensating for the lack of " worm. " Somethings gotta go big for him. Isn't that right Nick

[pureinsanity]

Gordie we know thats only cause he is over compensating for the lack of " worm. " Somethings gotta go big for him. Isn't that right Nick

Whatever mr wax worm!

[Here-Kitty-Kitty]

Just like in the real world some many colors to choose from

[pureinsanity]

I am being nice I've had too many time outs for people not having a sense of humor

[Here-Kitty-Kitty]

lol yep I censored myself

[MinnesnowtaWild]

I have a Abu 6600C4 that I use as my Carp/Channel reel, but it just so happens that I always end up getting a monster Flathead with this reel. My 46" Flathead last summer was caught on that reel and I have caught plenty of 30 lbers with it too. I definitely don't like it for big fish like that, it just doesn't have the cranking power that I want. Spinning reels preferred for me for Flatheads.

[harvey lee]

I have 3 7000i and love them even if they are overkill on the smaller ones. They are also good sturgeon reels.

[mainbutter]

Abus sure are popular in MN.

I've got 2 of them (a C3 6500 and a 7000i). The 6500 is my shore-fishing river reel. It's my smallest reel with a bait clicker, so even though it is a bit overkill, I only use it for smallish channels, carp, redhorse, drum etc.

I've only used my 7000i for muskies (and one incidental 10-15lb lake trout), and it's pretty beefy. I'd feel confident fighting a 150lb halilbut on that thing, which is the kind of confidence I'd want if I had a 50lb fish near logs and snags.

I'm kinda surprised that the smaller Penn Senators aren't more common for flathead fishing. Their affordability and long-term quality should make them ideal for chasing big flatties.

[dan z]

there are some spendy reels on the bank when me and the bro are out, my friends also have some money tied up in there reels also. I have a 5600 c4 (winch) the beast I call it. I also use a No name reel I found on HSO-Classifieds that has great gears. there is also a cardiff and a RCN 60 record in the mix. spend the money and clean them now and again you'll be fine. I replaced the worm gear on the beast this week after 10 plu years of use... the list goes on start searching.

Good Luck

Remember a low gear ratio reel is a big help when cranking in the big ole whiskers

[rushing]

Clean and oil the bushing once a year and they will last forever. Cast a 7000 w/ bushings and a 7000 w/ bearings with the same amount of weight and I doubt you will see much of a difference in distance (if any). Especially considering most rods people use aren't really meant to cast that heavy of a load to begin with.