Sorry, but more muskie reel questions

[WaveWacker]

I have to say that I love having my 6300 C4 with the 6.3:1 gear ratio as a bucktail reel. It allows my to really "burn" them if I so choose so without having to physically crank the heck out of the reel.

Just what works for me.

[RK]

Hey Scoot -
Depends on what kind of bucktails. For small burners with little blades, a 6.3:1 might be ok. For anything that pulls hard a high ratio reel will kill you. At least it does me. I don't like high speed reels for spinnerbaits much either. If you're set on getting a 6500-size, check out the 6500TCM - 4 ball bearings like the C4s, a single paddle handle, and 5.3:1 gear ratio, plus a groovy muskie picture on the side which I'm sure helps a lot.

If you *really* want a good bucktail reel, suck it up and get a 7000. Low gear ratio so everything pulls easy, and a big spool so you can burn baits too. I love the things. Really neat reel is a Big Game 7000HSN (High Speed Narrow), which I got to play with a while last year when they first came out. Same frame as a regular 7000, and same spool diameter, but 1/2" narrower so it's closer in width to a 6500 size reel, plus has a 5.3:1 gear ratio. Not a reel for pulling eagle tails with, but a great burner/mid size bucktail reel.

Cheers,
RK

[cliffy]

I use the C3 6500 on my bucktail rod and it seems to do just fine unless I am pulling really big bucktails/spinners. My wife also just bought me the Abu TCM with the fancy little muskie on the side..(birthday gift) on a 7'6 avid series St.Croix muskie rod.....I have not had a chance to use it yet but it seems like a good set up.

I was speaking with "Rich" from Pastika's (Hayward WI) yesterday afternoon and asked him the same questions. He suggested that I take a look at the new TICA Caiman Reels. They are 5:3:1 with 12 ball bearings. They look pretty sharp but I dont know much about them. I did order one and I should have it by next week....we will see....

[guideman]

Hey all,
I have to second the 7000 abu, it works hard so you don't have to.
I use the 6500c4 for jerks and topwater
baits, they work great for that.

I also picked up four of the new 6500ss reels this winter, they have the same guts as a 6500c3, with the new "thumb bar" feature.

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Terry "Ace" Sjoberg
aceguideservice.com
Lake Vermilion
Muskies and More.

Pro Staff Member.
Catch-n Tackle.
CKat Custom Muskie rods.
Bearpaws Handpoured Baits
Ohio Pro Lure.
Muskie Nut Tackle.
Big Chimney Muskie Baits.
Marcum.

[Scoot]

I'm going to get a new reel for a new muskie rod. I've got a 5600 C4 that I really like, but that is tough as heck to reel in larger bucktails with- tough crankin'. I've seen RK's posts about gear ratios for different apps, what is the best ratio for a bucktail reel? I'm guessing about 5:1 is about right for bucktails, but not sure. I'd imagine the C3's with the 5.3:1 ratio would be good for bucktails? I'll keep the C4 for another rod, but what reel with what ratio should I get for my bucktail rod? Will the difference in ratios between the C4 and C3 make a noticable difference for me when I'm cranking in the bucktails? Seems like a small difference, but sometimes a little difference means a lot.

I'm shooting for the C3 or C4 price range, but I'll go higher if there's good reason to.
Thanks fellas.

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Scoot

RodsbyEngel: custom made fishing rods

[This message has been edited by Scoot (edited 04-13-2004).]

[Scoot]

Thanks much for all the good info here. I think I have a good idea of all of the particulars I'm looking for. 1) lower gear ratio (about 5:1- 5.3:1), 2) thumb bar,
3) clicker (I'll be using it for cattin' too), 4) C4-type price (but I'm willing to "suck it up" if my best option is a 7000 reel or something comparable). Any one reel come to mind?
Thanks for the help, guys.

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Scoot

RodsbyEngel: custom made fishing rods

[MT Net]

As Guideman says, the 6600ssC3 is the one;
5.3:1 ratio, thumb bar , clicker for cattin'. I just bought one. I also bought the single paddle crank lever. A little lnger than the original double paddle crank lever. good for extra leverage.

[TomWehler]

Use what I have and most are 5:1.
Builds up the arms and mind tossing the BIG to little stuff and cranking her up but good.

Like to get me one of them 7000's?

Like the C4's, but mostly to take up line JERK'EN DA WOOD!
Pretty Violent when I'm work'en the wood and that reel does a fine job keeping up with me.

Used a Morrum last season for many things and liked it a lot, but plain wore it out come September.

Millionairs are fine, but I wore them out also.

Maina Reel is good, and women clients like the thumb bar deal.

Fun trying them all, but a C3's can do you no harm.
DO your homework like your doing and watch your budget.
The go have some fun ripping some face!

Keep on Rock'en!

T.

www.muskytomsguideservice.com

[Mark Cook]

The reel you should look at is Garcia's new 7000 HSN. Having seen your collection of rods and reels I think this reel would be an excellent addition. It will make a super bucktail reel, and still work for cats and sturgeons. I think will you pleasantly suprised at what this reel will do for not much more than a 5600 or 6500.

Mark

Bluewater Bait & Sports
www.bluewater-bait.com

[cliffy]

UPDATE:

I thought I would give you guys an update to my last post about the suggestion I made concerning the Tica Caiman reel.

I picked up the Tica Caiman reel last night and it looked very nice. However, I broke the thumb bar switch in about 20 seconds while just playing with it within the store. Needless to say, I didnt buy it....Perhaps this one is the bad apple in the bunch..I sure hope so......anyway, I bought a good old Abu instead....that makes 5 Abu Garcia's for me....as the salesman said, "cant go wrong with a working man's reel"......

[muskymike]

Get the 7000 C3 if you don't have small hands. I can burn double-eagle tails all day after I get back in shape.

I've got 4 of them, can't imagine using anything else. They're easy to work out backlashes and are just a tough reel.

[Trailblazin]

If your going to throw heavy stuff, then yes - go with a bigger reel like he 6500 series or 7000 Big game, etc....

It sounds like you are in the market for a good overall reel and simply look into the 5500/5600 series.....I used the C5 Mag last year and this reel ROCKS!!

With the superlines available today, the bigger reel is not necessary, unless, you are throwing big stiff all the time...I have a 6500C3 that I use very little. When I am throwing big stuff, I am glad I do have this reel because the 5500/5600 series will not handle it.

[widetrack]

Scoot:

7000's are great. I have 3 of them. I've had them 1/2 my life, and assume I'll have them the 2nd half too. They are built like a tank. They take some getting used to, as they are pretty big. The big games series look really nice too, although I haven't tried one yet. That will be my next reel.

[Scoot]

Thanks to all with the reel info. I couldn't decide if I wanted to go with the economy decision of a C3 or the cool and sexy reel- 7000 HSN. So... I got both! I've got a bucktail rod that I'm putting the C3 on and I'm putting the HSN on a sweet 7'6" Legend Elite my dad made me.

Thanks a lot for all of the info.

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Scoot

RodsbyEngel: custom made fishing rods

[RK]

Bwahahahaa - Scoot, you're a freakin' junkie.

There's a fairly short list of things you can never have too many of (muskie lures, rods and reels, beers in the fridge, vacation days, fingerless wool gloves, hunting boots, baseball caps).

No matter how many you have, one or two more will be just enough...

You been crappie fishing around DL at all this spring? I'm headin up this weekend to open up the cabin on Crystal. Boat isn't here yet so probably won't be fishing but that's probably ok - will actually get my work done then. When it's crappies vs. vacuuming up dead spiders, there's usually a clear winner

Cheers,
RK

[barnyard]

Over the winter, I bought 3, 7000's. The prices were right and I knew that I wanted to try one and if they didn't work, I figured that I could sell them for what I had into them, no loss.

Today, I went out carp fishing. One of the things we do while carpin is cast out a "spod" to 'ring the dinner bell."

The spod is best thrown with a muskie rod and today, I tried it with the 7000. WOW FREAKING WOW! Casts well, but retrieves like a dream.

I don't see the need to hang onto any of my 6500's.....

Tom B