Reel Suggestions

[MLmusky]

I am replacing 5 reels this winter, price is not as important as quality, although I can not bring myself to purchasing 5 Shimano reels that cost $350/reel. Does anyone have any experience with the new Abu Record with the power handle? How about any other higher end reels that people have had good luck with.. I need a very dependable reel, with a great drag system, smooth, etc..

[LunkerBaitCo]

I witnessed a friend of mine's brand new Record become garbage in one three day trip. It couldn't handle the Muskie gear.

[MuskyBug85]

i have turned every reel into dust over the course of a summer guiding, c4s, corvalus, a corsair or 2,a tica, a record. I have tried all them, and been let down by all of them except my calcuttas, they have stood up to every thing i have thrown at them and with them including teaching clients how to use a casting reel. sorry i know its not what you wanted to hear but its what i have found. Jonah

[RK]

Hiya -

For durability, you can't beat a Garcia 7000. I have some that are form the 80s that are still ticking - and I'm not exactly famous for taking care of my equipment...

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[cliffy]

I have to agree with RK on this one. I bought a 7000 a few years back and its my "go to" reel. It can take a lick'n and keep on tick'n.

[Hockey Guy]

I've never had a problem with my Abu C3's. I have 4 of them and they all work as well now as the day I bought them. They work great for casting and retrieving. I've only been fishing Muskies for 5 years so I don't know how well they work with a fish on yet!

[mtreno]

two c4's down - started and still love my luma's but one went down last weekend with a gear/drag issue. also lost one of those new c3's to a gear issue last weekend.

also down to one last rod that another fm'er was kind enough to loan me earlier this season for an extra - but the rods are a whole other issue.

as long as my luma is fixable i think i will be picking up another one for next season. mine have been thru hell and back this season and seemed to take the abuse in stride.

[Muskycrazy]

Some people love the Abu Record , some don't . I fished the heck out of mine this year with NO problems but I have talked to a few guys who had nothing but problems . My partner who uses Corvalus reels was so impressed by my Record he is thinking on getting one . I hate to think mine was the exception but it was trouble free .

Roger

[Cooter]

I have a bunch of 6500C3s and one 7000HSN, like them both, the 7000 is a bit big for guys who grip the reel as I do. I put power handles on all my 6500s this last year and its amazing how much easier the reels crank with them on.

[cjac]

My thoughts from a muskie guy with champagne wishes but a Miller High Life budget........

My Abu 6500s have held up remarkably well, just some standard maintenance and I have had no issues. Looking to upgrade handles with my power handle post, but that's it. Threw heavier baits all fall with no issues (I was out quite a bit), just looking to reduce fatigue and improve performance.

Daiwa Luna's: Picked up the 253 mid season and it's been flawless. Fit almost a full 150 yard spool of Suffix 65lb, so plenty of capacity for the "mid-size" model. Used for mid-size baits, Hellhounds, Reg Dawgs, Spinnerbaits, etc. Going to add a 300 model with Xmas $$$.

Shimano Cardiff: Got one for the misses' set-up, which I naturally "reposessed", if you will. Threw it with smaller bucktails and jigs a lot actually, and it was flawless. Shimano guys often refer to it as a poor man's Calcutta. Surprisingly good for $100, I can't knock it one bit. Longevity is yet to be determined.

Shimano Corvallus: Donated to the nephews. Enough said.

Hope this helps,

Chris

[big musk411]

Its kinda funny I have three C3s that have lasted forever and still work great. I have had two C4s one broke and I had it fixed and it broke again after a month. The other is about kuput after two seasons. I would think the C3s and C4s would be the same, but the C4s keep breaking on me. I bought a Shimano Corvailis midway through this season and so far I like it alot.

[RK]

Hiya -

The difference in durability between the c3 and c4 is due to gear ratio... The higher speed c4 means smaller teeth on the gears. That's not a good combo with no-stetch superline and hard-pulling muskie lures. Part of why 7000s are so bulletproof is low gear ratio (4.1:1 compared to a 6500 at 5.3:1) and physically larger gears....

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[CommonSense Guy]

I love my record. No problems. A corvalus is a cheap rig that gets the job done. None of these reels last forever since we beat the [PoorWordUsage] out of them

[Cowgirladdict]

MLMusky email me when you get a chance, [email protected]

[Dano_the_jigasaurus]

Just curious if anybody has any experience with the new shimano curado 300DSV? It looks like a sweet reel to put on bucktail/topwater rod

[Archery 1]

Hey Guys,

I've used a Luna last summer and all I can say is awesome reel. I thinking about buying another one.

[setterguy]

I now have three records and have had zero problems. By far my favorite reel under 200.00

[hanson]

Quote:

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The difference in durability between the c3 and c4 is due to gear ratio... The higher speed c4 means smaller teeth on the gears. That's not a good combo with no-stetch superline and hard-pulling muskie lures. Part of why 7000s are so bulletproof is low gear ratio (4.1:1 compared to a 6500 at 5.3:1) and physically larger gears....

---

RK is dead on the money with that one. Your C4 have 6.1:1 (I think) with a C3 being 5.3:1. C4 is a faster retrieve but it also works you harder as well.

I'm not a musky guy but I'll give major props to a Garcia 7000C3. These reels are workhorses no doubt!

[drizzle]

MuskyBug85: I like how you compare less expensive reels to the expensive calcutta. Thats like compairing a chevy blazer to a escalade.