Best reel for big bladed bucktails

[SmellEsox]

I've seen some threads about equipment for big bladed bucktails. I want the consensus. What is the best winch out there to bring in the Super Models, etc.?

[crix]

The shimano trinidad I have been using one for over 2 years now and I love mine.

The nice part is they made them smaller with the same retrieve as the old bigger bodied one this year

[crazy cooter]

shimano 700te hands down..Incredible power and speed.Not as much speed as the Trinidads but way more torque.Still brings in 35 inches of line per revolution compared to the Trinidad 16n which is 46 inches and the 400te is 29 inches.But the gearing on the 700te is incredible.I have fished double 13's almost all day with no problem!

[Jmeyers]

I got myself 3 Daiwa saltist reels that I love. Smooth casting and also smooth easy reeling cowgirls with speed to keep it on the top. Just gotta watch your figure 8's though so you don't pop a spring..had trouble with twice and had to send them in.

[SmellEsox]

I got myself 3 Daiwa saltist reels that I love. Smooth casting and also smooth easy reeling cowgirls with speed to keep it on the top. Just gotta watch your figure 8's though so you don't pop a spring..had trouble with twice and had to send them in.

What do you mean by pop a spring?

[propster]

Pros and cons with all, but here's a list of good ones, lower priced to higher.

Abu 7000 iC3, Saltist 20, Revo Toro Winch, Penn 975, Calcutta 400TE, Calcutta 700TE, Trinidad, and Calcutta TE LJV. Power handles (some come with, standard) help, but biggest aid is generally lower gear ratio. Trinidad and Saltist buck that trend. Bigger diameter main gear (and therefore bigger pinion) will help it hold up better (Toro, TE, and LJV are all bigger), but really any decent reel with a 5.1 ratio or less can work for slow to moderate retrieves, especially with a power handle and a less full spool. For retrieving faster (burning) the Saltist and Trinidad are a better bet because of their higher gear ratio. A lot depends on personal preference and your style (palming vs holding rod), size, weight, need levelwind, etc. You'll hear someone say they love or hate or have had good/bad luck with all of these. Ford vs Chevy. We personally use a cheap 4.2:1 Maina reel w/Abu power handle, a couple Calcutta 400B's with power handle (mid-price), and an LJV, and they all work great for big blades all day long, but we generally don't burn too much. Lots of night use.

[dan z]

if you can find a 5600 c4 abu garcia winch old style BUY IT! It has a cranking gear of 3.8-1 I have this reel and have had to fix it once in the last ten years I have only used a couple years for musky fishing but it is a work horse! there tough to find especially under a hundred bucks used!

I have recently purchased a calcutta 400s that does a pretty good job on pulling them also. gear is 4.2-1

On the cheap side I have also used a Ming Yang reel HSO-Classifieds-60 it also has a low gear 4.2-1 its tought to cast as the thunb tab doesnt stay down unless you hold it during the cast. great gears but just tought to cast...

Hope this helps!

[Esox_Magnum]

Gearing is 5:1:1 on the Calcuttas.