Rhino reel doesn't cast

[Fish Head]

I wanted to get my 12 yr old son a starter muskie set-up. I purchased him a Gander Mtn 7ft Muskie rod with a Rhino reel and filled it with thick 27# braided dacron line. The problem is, it doesn't cast very far at all. I thought I would try to spool it with Fireline or some other braided superline. Will this solve the problem or is this reel just a piece of junk?

Any ideas?

[Fish-n-Freak]

Get rid of the dacron! You can get 50# superbraid with a much smaller diameter! If the Rhino fails then go with a real baitcaster! If he wants to learn Muskie Fishing, he should learn it right. The newer reels are pretty easy to cast and with a day of practice he will be ready to hit the water.

I would hate to see the drag lock up and your son not catch a fish, and the fish swim away with a lure and line hanging out of it's mouth.

Do it right, and it will be a better experience.

[muskybuck]

Fish Head, You do not HAVE to have a bait caster to fish Musky. A large spin cast will work just fine and probably make it more fun for junior. I know a very good musky hunter who uses only that.

[andy j]

I would have to disagree with muskybuck on this one and agree with fishing freak. Push button rinos are not even close to being heavy duty enough for muskies, Rinos are designed for 10-17 lb mono, not super lines, this is why it is not casting, I work at gander and people bring in reels all the time wondering why their reel won't cast with superline, in fact if someone asks us to put superline on a pushbutton we won't do it. Get a Abu 5600 with 60 lb superline. It will cast good with muskie baits. If you want to go lighter a lower profile shimano round reel like a smaller Cardiff or Diawa Millianaire will cast well if not better then the abu's but won't be as heavy duty. Unfortunaty cheaper baitcasters will not hold up to muskies, Abu's at $60 are about your cheapest routes, you can find some on sale sometimes about $45-50. Check hsolist for a decent used one. Don't use the cheap berkley steal leaders, muskie will do a # on them. Good luck! AJ

[Big G]

"B" as in b...........
"S" as in s...........

You don't have to buy all the expensive gear to catch muskies...........I know more people who catch big muskies by not fishing for them than those who catch little muskies trying like mad to catch the big ones.......

I agree on the dacron............you would be better off with 25lb mono. You don't have to have superlines. You don't have to have super graphite rods. You don't have to have expensive reels.

Yes, these tools make it easier. And yes, these expensive tools will last for years. But if the pocket book doesn't allow it........go with a big spinning outfit.

If the pocket book allows it, you can probably get a combo for $100. It is all you need.

[Muskie-searcher]

The fact that you can catch big muskies when you are not fishing for them is not the issue in my opinion. The issue is if you are going to actively chase muskies then it is your responsibility to keep the fish's wellfare in mind. When you use lesser gear, you wear the fish down a lot more and her chance for survival after release goes way down. You can find good gear at low costs, but make sure it has the strength to land the fish quickly, and then get a safe release with little or no time out of the water.

[riverrat56]

I have a buddy who uses a big Shakspeer spingcast reel for cat fishing and uses 30lb mono and that will cast a contry mile and also will bring big cats off the bottom, ive landed 2 over 40lbs for him and both were short fights. There isnt a musky out there that will pull like one of those big flat heads, he will be fine with that reel just put some mono on it so it casts better.

[esoxguy2004]

I'm not familiar with the Rhino reels so I couldn't tell you if they are junk or not. If you do decide to change line, use Power Pro or Spider line and make sure you use a monofilament of the same or close to the equivalent diameter as a backing. Otherwise the line spins freely around the spool.

[barnyard]

The reason that spincasters work well on cats is because you are not doing alot of casting and retrieving.

I would think that line twist would be a huge problem if you were doing alot on casting and retrieving (as you do in muskie fishing.)

Tom B

[riverrat56]

I suppose barnyard is right on that one but they still would be able to handle a muskie if you can find a way to deal with the line twist

[Lost]

Okay people, there's no need to get nasty with each other and starting to yell just because you disagree.

Rhino is a product of Zebco, if I remember correctly. They make some great products but they also make some not-so-great products.

Their line of Rhino "Indestructible" rods are like Ugly Sticks. They're made to last.

The reels are decent but not my first choice. I've played with several of them and just wasn't impressed with the quality. However, if you're going to be using one for Muskie, I'd say go with Power Pro or something like that.

I've got 50 lb Power Pro on one of my reels. It has the diameter of 12 lb mono.

If you still have problems casting, you'll need to switch to mono. I'd go with something like Yozuri's Hybrid. Super tough stuff! The rating printed is the equivalent diameter size, not the actual breaking point. According to one report that I've read, the breaking point on the "10 lb" test is closer to 17 lbs. It's also highly abrasion resistant.

[muskybuck]

I don't quite know where all this line twist stuff is coming from. I have been using spin casters for 40 years know and would be afraid to guess how many casts that would be. The only time I have line twists is if I am using a daredevil type lure and that will twist them up. You have to put the line on the correct way out of the box of coarse. If I do get the line twisted up I just take the lure and leader off, run the line out behind the boat a couple of long casts worth and motor around a couple minutes and the water takes all the twists out right now. I use bait casters now for musky fishing but would not make a 12 year old boy use them and possibly ruin his fishing experience.
As I said I have a friend who only fishes Musky with spin casters and you would not get far with him arguing this point. To each his own you know.

[muskieboy46]

My brother and I bought rhino rods last year and they were worthless. My brothers tip broke off while fighting a little northern and 2 of my eyes fell off of mine.
maybe the reels are better than the rods, but maybe not.

muskieboy

[This message has been edited by muskieboy46 (edited 08-05-2004).]

[say_der]

Which model Rhino?

The Rhino spincast I used to have wouldn't work with anything other than mono.

I have the small bait caster they make & the largest one - both of those work great.

[muskybuck]

I used my first spool of Power Pro this spring and have been switching all my reels to it from my musky poles to sunfish. I think it is great. I think it will last awhile before it has to bve replaced also. We will see I guess.

[Fish Head]

Well, I'm kind of back where I started. I will put some braided superline on this Rhino reel and hope it works better. Unfortunately I no longer have the box and receipt, so I am stuck with this reel for my son.

By the way, I have switched to power pro this year on my bass rods and just love it!

Thanks Guys!

[Fish-n-Freak]

I would recommend trying the 50# Tuff-line XP or PowerPro. Minimum diameter, with plenty of muscle.

If the braid idea does not work, which will be a costly test (line isn't cheap), then go with a 17# mono like Trilene XT or something. I know guys that swear by the XT, and I have used it on my rods too. With a wire leader, you should be able to fish very well with the mono. Just make sure those hooks are sharp, the extra stretch of mono will slow your hook sets. BUT the extra stretch will make up for the lack of a smooth drag and could help prevent lost fish.

I have never tried a braid on a spincast reel, I don't know what to tell you. Please let us know what you find out.

Steve

[muskybuck]

I got to thinking this morning, which isn't easy, and think I was mis-stating the reel name. I meant to say to use an open face spinning reel not a close face reel. Those things twist a line like crazy. Sorry about that. I would not ever recommend a close face reel after they out grow their first snoopy pole at 3.5 years.

[Lost]

muskybuck, I know some guys that swear by the closed-faced reels. And these guys have tried them all! They just love that Zebco 33.

Trilene XT line is really good line. But I've been more impressed with the Yozuri Hybrid. Nice having about a 17 lb test at 10-12 lb diameter.

[Fish Head]

Just to clarify here. I have seen several posts about spinning reels and Rhino rods.

This is a rod and reel for my 12 year old son. It is a 7ft. Gander Mtn guide series IM7 Musky rod. The reel is a Rhino bait cast reel. It is not a spinning reel or a closed face push button reel like a zebco 33.

Thanks for all the advice.

[Trailblazin]

Fish Head - That Rhino reel will not hold up to "BIG MUSKIES". You are gettign alot of feedback and the reason for the spinning reels, is that those will hold up better than the Rhino reel.

My Dad has always and still uses Zebco 33's and I bought him a Shimano Baitunner Spinning reel and matched it up to a similiar rod you bought your son.
We spooled 80lb Power Pro 3 years ago and he loves the outfit!

Don't get me wrong, that Rhino will hold up to the smaller fish, but your chances of landing a bigger fish - go down.

Us Muskie nuts are trying to teach the younger generation about preserving the muskie, Catch and Release, proper handling, proper gear, etc...

I am by no means telling you to replace the Rhino reel, But, that is the direction I would lean in. If you plan to use the Rhino, put 50-65lb Power Pro on it at a minimum. I would make sure you have a big net, like the Frabill Big Kahuna, bolt cutters, gloves, jaw spreaders, hook outs, etc.....The proper tools makes fishing fun and will preserve our Muskies!

Baitcasters are real simple to use. Couple hrs of practice in the backyard, and he will be set. Cabela's has the Garcia C5 Mag for sale, $79.99. Put 80lb Power Pro on that, and your set.

Good Luck!

[This message has been edited by Trailblazin (edited 08-09-2004).]

[Fish Head]

I have been fishing with baitcast reels for over 20 years and own several myself. The Rhino baitcast reel I purchased as a starter set up for my son is this one (the RBC340):

http://www.rhinofishing.com/prod_bc.htm

I just wish it would cast farther, and perhaps it will with a thinner braided line.

Thanks for all the feedback guys.

[Trailblazin]

Fish Head - I should have read all the posts more clearly. I have not heard of this specific reel, but will tell you that you will need to go thinner line. Power Pro in 65lb should be just fine for your son. If he is casting heavier lures - go to 80lb.

If you have used baitcasters for 20 yrs, you should know that he should not throw small Mepps lures on that 7 foot Gander Muskie rod. That is where most of your problems may occur. Start out with a 1oz spinnerbait bait, bucktail, top water,etc...
In due time, he'll be able to throw anything.

I doubt this reel is junk...Rhino makes quality stuff and in due time with some practice, he'll be just fine! Catch a pig!