best musky reels

[greggles]

I am tring to figure out whick reels are the best for topwater and for cranking or jerkbaiting do you use different one or can you use the same for both.

[RuKiddingMe]

I would consider looking at the Abu Garcia 6500 C4, it has a higher gear ratio and is great for picking up slack in a hurry. Works great on topwaters also because there isn't much drag like a big crank.

RU

[Trailblazin]

I do not think you need a 6500 series. The 5600 series is plenty big and will hold more than enough line!

I like the C4 as well! I'll useit for bucktails and topwaters.

For cranking and jerkbaiting, I like a lower gear ratio especially for the heavier lures. You can use a C4 for these applications but beware you'll strip the gears faster. For the heavier lures, I do like a 6500C3 or the new D series!

Good Luck!

[Esoxmn]

One problem i have noticed with the c4 is , with the high gear ratio, it is harder to move a fish that gets in the weeds. Also if you throw heavy baits its a liitle hard on the hand and arm after the day.

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Why did'nt Noah swat those two mosquitos?

Gary

[cliffy]

Three of my rods have the 6500 C3 and I have not had any problems so far. I also have a c4..I dont care for it too much...the gearing is to high for all day use. Just my two cents...

[RK]

Hiya,
My $.02: For a lot of topwaters and even jerkbaits something like a C4 with the 6.3:1 gear ratio is probably ok. The extra line pickup is nice with some baits. For anything that pulls hard though - cranks or bucktails, for example, the gear ratio can be brutal during a long day. You're better off with a c3 with a 5.3:1. If you want the best of both worlds, get a 7000B or 7000C3. The 7000B has a bushing rather than ball bearings, but you'll never notice the difference, the talk are cheaper, and I swear they stay smooth longer... 7000s have a very low gear ratio - 4.1:1, but the spool diameter and width are big enough that the line pickup is still very fast. You can run big hard pulling bucktails or cranks without killing yourself, but the line pick-up is still fast enough to make jerkbaits and topwaters easy without cranking like a madman to pick up slack. I use 7000s of one flavor or another 90% of the time.

Another in-between option is the Big Game series 7000HSN. It's a 7000 series frame with the same spool diameter as a regular 7000 but half an inch narrower, with a 5.3:1 gear ratio. Fast reel, and I've been using it for jerkbaits and topwaters this year and like it. Still prefer the regular 7000s for bucktails though - pulls a little easier.

Cheers,
RK

--edited - cripes I can't type this morning...

[This message has been edited by RK (edited 08-13-2004).]

[Lost]

Sounds like all you Muskie fishermen prefer the Abu Garcia's. Why these over the other brands?

[RuKiddingMe]

The abu's just plain simply last the longest for the money... Unless you want to shell out over 300 bills for a Shimano Calcutta... Not for me... I have a Morrum 5600 that I bought brand new for $100, that's more then a 50% off other wise I wouldn't have done it... Penn, Tica and Pete Mania Signature reels from Bass proshops are all pretty decent also.

RU

[half2fish]

Has anyone ever used a Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 5500-C3? That is what i use. someone i know used to fish muskies and now he cant because of a bad sholder. But he gave me this reel and a Fenwick Muskie Class rod and some lures for when i started fishing these pigs. The only problem that i have found with this reel is that the drag sometimes doesnt like to work right and even if i tighten it all the way it still is fairly easy to pull out. It will do untill i buy a new one but has anyone else had that problem before and can i fix it? Also how much does a new Abu Garcia reel run? 100-150 is about all i can afford. any help would be very much appreated buy this new muskie fisherman.

[ARMAN-21]

I use both the Aub garcia 6600C5 MAG-X and the Shimano Callcutta TE and I love them both, the Callcutta is reel of choice for me and it's ssooooooooooooooooooo smooth, but hand's down the 6600C5 MAG-X is the best reel for the buck i think, but if you ever get the chance to save your pennies, get your hands on the 400 TE, you wont be sorry.

later

Scott

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ARMAN-21

[Esoxmn]

half2fish
A new c3 is $70 to $80. It sounds like you need new drag washers.

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Why did'nt Noah swat those two mosquitos?

Gary

[half2fish]

I was thinking that something was wrong in the reel. Your prob right. ill just buy a new reel and wont have to worry about it. i can use this reel for some other kind of fish that doesnt take a quick set like a ski or northern. or just plain not use the reel peroid. Thanks

[fishbreath]

I have been using a Quantum cranking reel 3.8:1 with bushings and I have to crank like crazy to burn a bucktail, so I'm thinking of a 5600 or 6500 in either a c3, c4, or a c5. 5.3:1 or 6.3:1 can't make up my mind? I also old 5000 and a five. Is a mag just something to go bad? Push button or thumb bar? thanks.

[Esoxmn]

you could also send it back to abu and probably get it fixed free.

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Why did'nt Noah swat those two mosquitos?

Gary

[half2fish]

Has anyone used the abu 5600C? I have a chance to buy 2 of the reels and for both of them the guy wants 10 bucks. Also the same guy has about 300 muskie lures and only wants 2 bucks for each lure. Sounds like a deal huh.

[greggles]

has anyone tried the pflueger trion high profile reel its about $90 and has 6 ball berrings

[Lost]

half2fish, I'll split the cost on those reels with ya.

[soldoncass]

1/2 to fish,
Sounds like HOT stuff- be careful- "if it sounds too good to be true, it may be"
Otherwise, if it's legit, sounds like good investments.

[Mat O]

I bought one of those Pflugers and was not impressed at all. I returned it and bought an old faithful Abu Garcia 5500 C4. The main thing I didn't like about it was the spool tension control. I just couldn't get it right. Then it started making some noise after about 4 uses. I'll always go with the Abu Garcias, as I had done before buying this one. Note, I bought the $70 model, but I think they're about the same thing, one is just faster and fancier.

[half2fish]

My dad made the same offer with me to split costs. The thing is that i trust this guy with the stuff being clean because he is a family friend that used to fish muskies all the time. He was in the lake vermillion tourny all the time and made it in the money but never got all the jackpot. He let me try all the lures and whatever ones i like i am going to buy. Even though i havend ever got a muskie i am on cloud nine. With all this stuff to try i am sure ill get my first soon.

[ARMAN-21]

If the price it right and the guy is letting you test everything and he's a family friend, then i say go for it.

Scott

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ARMAN-21

[690VS]

I use a morrum 6600 reel by abu garcia they're a little spendy but it works great. I also have a calcutta 400 which is a good reel but I'd say I like the morrum better. I also have a pile of abu garcia 6500 C3 and C4 there a desent reel for the money but I don't think they hold up to the beating a serious muskie fisherman puts on them.

[smoked perch]

half2fish:
hey. i too am looking at "buying my way" into muskie fishing. after you pick over your buddys stuff, let him know i'd be interested in a rod/reel, and some tackle. i can't believe the $$ it takes to get something going.
anyone else reading this that has any extra gear to sell, let me know.
email me at: deckfeather(at)hotmail(dot)com
thanks,
perch.

[Lost]

I've got an extra-heavy action baitcaster from Rapala that won't be used any time soon unless I sell it. Thinking I should so I can pay off my credit card bill.

[guideman]

I can't agree that the abu's won't hold up under heavy use. I fish 200 days a year and I have been using abu's for 30 years. Some of my reels are over 15 yrs old and they still work like new.

6500c4's are great for gliders, jerks and topwaters. I would use the c3 when throwing bucktails or spinnerbaits. The new 6600 thumb bar reels are nice, they have the same guts as the 6500c3 and I have found them to be very smooth.

There isn't any other reel out there in my opinion, that gives you the quality for the money that all the Abu's have.
They also stand behind their stuff they will fix them for free in most cases if you send them in.

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Terry "Ace" Sjoberg
aceguideservice.com
Lake Vermilion
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