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Baitcast reels

Riverfishin

By Riverfishin
in Open Water

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CrappieJohn Veteran

CrappieJohn

Posted
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The C3 and C4 Ambassadors are nice reels. I have one of each and wouldn't trade them for anything. Both are 6.3/1 ratios and cast like no tomorrow, even when using 6pd fluorocarbon tossing light jigs.

Prices for these reels start around 60 bucks for the C3's and they come in several series sizes to cover about any need in fresh water. There is another similar model Ambassador, an anti-backlash one, withing the same price range, but I have had no experience with that one.

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delmuts Grand Master

delmuts

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don't be afraid to look at the phlueger(sp?) line either. we have a couple of the round reels ( i'm primarally a diawa guy, but do like these) also; some of the BP reels are made by phlueger, and a little cheaper. i like the 560/5600 in the round series. there are many reels in your price range. go to some stores that have a good selection and try them out!

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The_Duckslayer Mentor

The_Duckslayer

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Quote:

I want to get a new bait casting reel, I have A quantum energy, but it doesn't seem to work very good anymore.

I guess my first question would be why doesn’t it “work good” anymore? Here is why I ask… A couple years ago my dad gave me a reel that was one of his favorites but he did not like the way that it worked any more. I tore it down to as many little pieces as I could get it to, cleaned it, oiled/lubed/greased it and gave it back to him. He thought that I had found a new one for him. Then one of his buddies gave him a (let me go to the garage and get it) “Oreno level winding anti-back-lash casting reel No. 1000” that he said was no good. It was made by the South Bend Quality Tackle Bait Company, South Bend IND. Oh yeah, on the reel it actually says IND, as in before they standardized the 2 letter state codes! I did the same to it and now it works real smooth again. Can’t wait to try it out. Maybe if it is an antique I should just keep it in the house! Would be nice to take it to one of those road shows cuz that bugger looks darned old. Anyone out there have a clue about it? Would be interesting to know how old it is. Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

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Riverfishin Enthusiast

Riverfishin

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I have A Ambassaduer reel I fish for muskies with and knw how to clean that, but my quantum is hard to take apart, I brought it to gander and a guy working there didn't know how to clean it either. Also has anyone tried the cabelas brand baitcaster, i WAS thinking about buying that one.

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The_Duckslayer Mentor

The_Duckslayer

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I have A Ambassaduer reel I fish for muskies with and knw how to clean that, but my quantum is hard to take apart

Ahh so I better hold onto the old ones I guess cuz the new ones are like the new cars, Ya need to much special equipment to work on them. I guess I had not thought of that. Like some things when I was a kid, once if figured out how to open it and the parts flew everywhere it was never to work again! Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

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Bushwacker Mentor

Bushwacker

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I would say the #1 selling reel in that price range is the Shimano Curado... They sell a ton of these reels and you will be hard to find anybody who has one that doesnt like it... It retails for $119.

I would definitely agree with Deitz. The Curado is a hair over $100, but it is my favorite reel I have ever fished. I stepped up to the Curado SF and it can cast an 1/8 ounce a country mile.

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gspman Veteran

gspman

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I'll also back the Curado. Sometimes you can find them on sale for about $109 instead of the $119 price. They're like the Remington 870 of baitcasters. I think Curados are probably the best selling baitcaster for bass fishing ever and for a good reason. They work. They're durable. They cast well. They come in a variety of configurations. I could go on and on. Give them a look before you buy.

Another option if you are willing to do some searching and some work is the Shimano Citica. They are like the little brother to the Curado. The only difference is the Citica has bushings in certain areas where the Curado has bearings. If you find a Citica you can buy a couple of bearings to replace the bushings on the spool of the reel. Once you do that you basically have a Curado. I've seen Citica's for as low as $43 on clearance.

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gspman Veteran

gspman

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LEE harveyY

Thanks for the kind words. She's a year and a half old and quite a trip. She's still learning but she's going to be a real nice birddog when it's all said and done. You should check out Setterguy's trial in April. Sounds like a fun time.

gspman

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bucketmouth64 Veteran

bucketmouth64

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If you are interested in off brands the bass pro's Extreme or Rick Clunn are good reels. Pflueger Trion is a good reel too. Should be able to find some good deals soon with spring approaching at local stores or mail catalogs. If you can wait, go to the Mpls. Sportshow. You should find a good deal with show specials, and many factory reps will be there if you have questions. I think some people on this forum are reps.

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Dragonsm Proficient

Dragonsm

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I would say the #1 selling reel in that price range is the Shimano Curado... They sell a ton of these reels and you will be hard to find anybody who has one that doesnt like it... It retails for $119.

Last year, I picked up a Curado as I finally gave into peer pressure from my fellow fishing buddies. I had NEVER picked up a baitcaster before and the inevitable birds nest was unavoidable. I chose to try the power pro line on it as it is easier to pick out than mono. This reel made it extremely easy for me to pick up. (Though I did have my fair share of bird's nests) I have seen what they can do holding nothing back, and they are a heck of a reel.....someday I will get to that level! Until then...I just troll closer to the lilly pads! wink.gif

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Wayne Ek Mentor

Wayne Ek

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Riverfishin, I do not know how old the energy is, but send it back to Quantum, they are really good about repairs. Also for my money nothing beats the new Quantum Energy series of reels, either the 860 series or 600 series. And Dragonsm, about the birds nest.... no no no, we like to think of them as "professional over-runs".

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Pops' Explorer

Pops'

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regardless of which brand you choose a review of some basic tips will help make that choice more enjoyable

the following is from another web site but may help

"A bait casting reel does many fishing tasks better than other kinds of reels, and they are the standard in bass fishing. When you first get one they can be intimidating but you can learn to fish one with a little time and effort.

Spool up your reel with monofilament line in fairly heavy test - 14 to 20 - even if you plan on fishing with lighter line. Heavier line is easier to learn to cast, and easier to pick out those unavoidable backlashes. Don' fill the spool on the reel, start with half a spool or less.

The more line on the spool the heavier the spool and the faster and longer it will spin. Spinning too long is what causes backlashes, so start with less line.

The most important part of casting a bait caster is a smart thumb. Your thumb rides on the spool of line and controls it, so you must educate your thumb. You can do this while watching TV. Tie on a fairly heavy weight - a nut or 1 ounce sinker, and sit down. Loosen up the spool control until the weight drops freely, and use your thumb to stop it just before it hits the floor. Do this over and over until get the feel for feathering the spool with your thumb and stopping the weight just before it reaches the floor.

When you are ready to learn to cast, tie on a practice plug or sinker - half ounce is about right. Tighten the freespool control until the weight stops when it hits the floor and the reel stops spinning. This will be too tight for normal casting but helps you learn.

Take your outfit out and make a short lob type cast. Swing your whole arm, don't try to snap the rod tip with your wrist. The reason for casting like this to start is you want the spool to start spinning slowly and evenly. A lob cast will do this. A snap cast will make the spool start spinning fast from the beginning, almost guaranteeing a backlash.

Keep casting like this, making longer and longer cast. Gradually loosen up the freespool control until you have to stop the spool with your thumb, just like you practiced. Once you get confident in using a heavy weight, try lighter weights and learn different ways to cast.

Rotating the reel as you cast will help it spin more smoothly. The reel should be vertical, with the handle facing up, at the end of the cast. This, like other tips here, takes some practice.

Everyone will get backlashes at times. Don't let them discourage you. Keep practicing and you will find out why the bait casting reel is so popular. "

Ronnie Garrison,

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dustin85 Rising Star

dustin85

Posted
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I bought a curado last year, but I still have to learn how to use it. I've never had a baitcaster until now. My first day out with it I made such a big mess with it, and got kinda discouraged, and only used it for trolling since then. Hopefully I can figure it out this year.

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Deitz Dittrich Grand Master

Deitz Dittrich

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FOr those of you that have the Curado and are having a hard time with it.. make it so you have less of the "profesional over run. Take the side place off and pull all the little red plastic pins twards the outside. This is the centrifugal(sp) braking system. This will help slow the spool down when its at it fastest but will still let you cast for some distance. As you get better you can push them in one at a time!

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