Looking for a new reel

[loebs93]

I just got a new Scheels rod this past week for my b-day. The rod was originally $150 and sold for $50, which I think, is a pretty good deal. Anyway I need to put a reel on it. Its seven feet long, medium-heavy and I would like to use it for a heavy bass rod or a light musky rod. It’s also in a casting style.

Even though it’s only December I would like to maybe take advantage of some of the winter sales or clearances that many stores have...or maybe I’m just too impatient.

Anyway, does anybody have any suggestions? I would like to put something that is pretty nice on it.

[delmuts]

you may also want to go back in the forum . we talked alot about reels earlier. del

[guideman]

I'd recommend the 6600ss Abu with the thumb bar I have several that I use for both Muskie and Bass fishing. They run about $75.00 however, you might be able to get one cheeper during the winter.

[HUSKIN FORA MUSK]

loebs93

Shimano Catala is decent reel for $70 to $80. Otherwise the Calcuttas are nice too, but much more expensive.

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[Cooter]

If you wanna spoil yourself go with the new St.Croix reel. Keep hearing good things about them.

[Esoxmn]

I second the 6600ss.

[DUCKJ]

No way can you beet an Abu. The price is great on all reels and there dang neer bullet proof. I run C3's, C4' and the trophy series with out any problems.

Duck

[wisconsinfish]

Another nice thing about the Abu's is you can get parts for them and have them serviced if something does break. A lot of the other brands it's very hard to find parts.

J.T.

[cliffy]

Abu Garcia C3..I have a few and they seem to hold up very well.

[David Swenson]

I started using the ABU Garcia Big Game 7000 and once I got use to the size, I love it! I can go through a 6500 in about a month or two of fishing. I got a whole bucket of 6500's and 5500's for parts. They are good if you do not plan on fishing hard. The large baits are just torture on the inexpensive reels. SO, if you are only planning a fishing a few times a year, I would suggest a 6500C. If you are going to fish harder than that I would suggest a Big Game 7000 or a Calcutta TE.

David Swenson

http://muskieguide.homestead.com

http://baileystackle.homestead.com/

[Derf]

Take a look at the Abu Garcia Big Game 7000 HSN. HSN stands for High Speed Narrow Spool. All the tough internal parts of a 7000 with 5.3:1 gears and a narrower spool. The diameter of the reel is the same as a 7000 but the width is the same as a 6500 reel. I used 2 last year and they worked well all year without a hitch.

[loebs93]

I noticed the Shimano Cardiff is on clearance at a store. Has anybody used this reel before or heard anything about it?

[dsludge]

I have several Abu Garcia reels myself. They are very durable and easy to maintain and repair. The local AG authorized service center at Minnetonka Outdoors is also very reasonable.

I'm glad to hear someone has had good results with the BG7000HSN. I bought one last year at the Blaine show and it has frozen on me twice. Minnetonka Outdoors repaired it the first time. The second time I sent it back to Iowa asking them to replace it with any other muskie reel. They sent it back repaired, I think. Anyone had a problem with the Abu Garcia Big Game 7000 HSN reel?

I like the reel when it works. It is perfect for burning the bucktails, easier on the arms. But, I have never had a problem like that with any of the other four AG reels I use for fishing muskies.

The 6500 C-4 reels are my favorite. I have one I've fished for five years and another I bought last year. Highly recommended. Be sure to order a half dozen p/n 19373 and replace the 38 cent part once or twice a year or 50 hours of use, whichever comes first to avoid the "free spinning handle syndrome".

dsludge

[SteveWilson]

I'm going with a couple of Daiwa Millionaire M-CV-Z300A reels this year; just couldn't pull the trigger on the Shimano Calcutta TE 400.

[dsludge]

You are looking for a deal. The dealers are looking for cash to get them through the winter. The best deals I get on muskie gear are at the winter expos. The one in Blaine gives the big shops a chance to sell volume and and dump the previous year's stock. Go every day, buy on Sunday - better prices. The dealer needs cash flow - they'll sometimes even sell below cost for the cash!! Don't be afraid to haggle. Win, win - they can pay some bills, you get last year's $120 reel and a $200 rod for $100.

dsludge