Reels

[Dano_the_jigasaurus]

I recently built myself an 8' St. Croix Avid Muskie Rod, but I am having a tough time selecting a reel for it. Any suggestions???

Thanks Dano

[CaptainMusky]

5600 Morrum would be a nice addition to that rod. I am partial to reels with a thumbar. I have a tournament pro reel and like it, but they no longer make it. Morrum is a great reel and I think with today's smaller diameter superlines you should be able to get plenty of it on the 5600 model.

[Mr Special]

Most of the folks I know and myself have Abu Garcia's and they seem to do very well at a reasonable price. 5500 are smaller, 6500 are bigger, the C3 is 5.3:1 ratio and the C4 are 6.3:1. The 6500 also have a bait clicker option. Also available in Left-hand 5501/6501

Good luck

[P.DONA]

How about the Shimano Curado, BSF? Anyone use them. I just got one for Bass fishing, love it!! I put 30 lb power pro on it, but I'm sure 50 would cast great, too. Very smooth, casts like a dream, too!! I do have a 6500 straight from Sweeden with no level wind on it. That's a very nice reel too, but sometimes when you reel it in, the line bunches up in the middle or off to one side. I guess the excitement causes that..

[RuKiddingMe]

I second the morrum post, I have a 5600 and it sure is a work horse. I'm looking to pick another in the off season. I got a really good price on mine brand new, found it on the internet auction site the whole world use's.

RU

[ARMAN-21]

I use the Shimano Calcutta 400 TE and love it. I also have some of the 6600C5 MAG-X by Abu and that's a great reel and you can still get them at Cabela's for a good price

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ARMAN-21

[Dano_the_jigasaurus]

Is a high speed gear ratio important for burning baits?? like a 5.8:1 or 6.3:1?? Or Or is a 5.3:1 retrieve fast enough??

[RK]

Hiya Dano,
Unless you're only going to use it for burning small baits, or fishing topwaters, lower gear ratio is better, I think anyhow. Lots of muskie baits pull hard. With a 6.3:1 gear ratio they pull that much harder. Something with a lower gear ratio cranks a lot easier at the end of a long day.

90% of my casting is done with a Garcia 7000. 4.3:1 gear ratio, so big baits pull easy, but a wide, large diameter spool so the line pickup is still very fast. Best of both worlds, but, 7000s are big and not everyone likes the size/weight. I'm used to it.

Other than that, check into the Pete Maina reels from Bass Pro shops. I don't use them (don't like thumb bars) but lots of guys like them and the seem to hold up well. Garcia 6500C3's are the workhorse muskie reel. I have a bunch of them and still use them quite a bit. Pretty reliable and reasonable price-wise. Shimano Calcuttas are very nice, but spendy...

Cheers,
RK

[Scoot]

I second everything that RK said. If I were getting another reel, I'd still get another 6500 C3. It's smaller, has a thumb bar, and is nice. I've also got a Amb. 7000 HSN, which is a really sweet reel. However, unlike RK, I have a hard time getting used to the larger size- it just doesn't fit my hand quite right. Still a rock solid reel though.

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Scoot

RodsbyEngel: custom made fishing rods

[This message has been edited by Scoot (edited 10-04-2004).]

[Mr Special]

When it come to gear ratios I like the higher 6501C4 6.3:1 for burning baits like bucktails and propbaits. But next year I will have a second rode and reel with a slower rate 5501C3 5.3:1 for slow rollers. Plus gives me a reason for a second set up.

[cliffy]

I just wanted to add my two cents worth…although I agree with a lot of what has already been posted.

All six of my muskie rods have Abu Garcia reels. I went with Abu because they seem very well built and the price was reasonable. That does not mean that I wouldn’t try any other brand. When its time to add more rod/reels…I am going to keep my options open…but I have been very happy so far with the Abu’s.

I have a few 6500 C3s that I consider the workhorses of the bunch. They do a great job on pretty much any bait and they seem to hold up well. I do keep them pretty clean, oil when needed and I always back off the drag at the end of the day. My wife gave me a Abu reel, Trophy Series, for my birthday this spring. I forget the model number but it’s basically like the C3 6500 but its maroon in color and has a picture of a muskie on the side. It also came with a power handle. I love this reel. Same reasons as stated before.

I also have one C4 or C5 (don’t recall…its blue in color) that is geared at 6:1. I only use it on my jerk/glide bait rod. The higher gear ratio is excellent for picking up slack line in-between jerks. I suppose it would also work ok for burning smaller bucktails….but I find it gets very difficult to reel all day long with any lure that has drag.

Last week I found myself at Gander Mountain playing with the C3 7000. It looked like an awesome reel but it just seemed a little too big for my comfort. If my hands were a little bit bigger, I would have gone for it. It’s a reel that you should take a look at.

One more thing. I have heard very good things about the Pflueger Trion 66. A friend just bought one a few weeks ago. Its seems very well built and the price was reasonable. It is also a reel worth looking at.

Good luck in your search.

[Dano_the_jigasaurus]

Thanks for all the info guys.
Dan

[marine_1]

Figure out what you want to spend first then decide on the reel if you're able to spend $$ go with the Shimano if you're only going to spend $ go with the Abu

[Long Gray Line]

It's too bad Abu doesn't still make the 6500 C3 2-speed. I have 2 on muskie rods and a 5600 2-speed on a baitcaster. It's nice to dial in the high speed for burning bucktails and then be able to dial it down for working cranks or plastics. Why did they ever stop making them??

[P.DONA]

Years ago, Penn used to have a 2 speed fresh water bait casting set up. Great reel!! I had it stolen along time ago.. Anyone have one??
I just tried my 6500c3 mag with 50 lb power pro!! sweet casting.. This one doesn't have the level wind, so you have to watch that..

[delmuts]

my son and i have the phlueger 56 reels and really like them. the 66 felt a little to big to be comfortable for us. del

[Dano_the_jigasaurus]

Thanks for all the Help. I settled on the Shimano Calcutta 400. I am really happy with it. Thanks again. Good Fishin. Dano

[ARMAN-21]

Nice pick! You can't go wrong with the 400 or a 400TE for that matter.

later-