Musky reels?

[DuluthMedic]

I'm sure this has been talked about before. I'm going to spend more time this fishing season looking for the big pigs. I don't want to spend more then 150$. My main question is about gear ratio and ball bearings. What should I get? What is an all around good reel? Thanks folks!

[Leif]

Any abu gracia reel is great, the record is really good but its at the top of your price range.

[ads2211]

IMO the best reels you can get in that price range are the ABU's. I just bought my set up last year and everyone I talked to and all the articles I read said ABU's in that range can't be beat.

[Fish&Fowl]

Another vote for the Abu's. I picked up the 6500-C3 last year and it has been great so far. Plan on picking another one up in a couple weeks once I get some cash flowing.

[MuskieMojoTackle]

6500CS Pro Rocket

OR

7000iHSN...new, beefier construction this year with a great redesigned power handle. Might be a little hard on you if you like to palm the reel and have smaller hands, but this reel will handle pretty much anything you will throw.

Priced right at $150, too

[Muskycrazy]

Abu Record . Love it .

[DUCKJ]

Looking forward to trying out the new 7000i.

[Tippman]

Have you guys bragging up the Abu's fished with Calcutta 400b? I like this reel and am trying to decide whether to get another or try something else. I've always kinda thought it's the best reel in the $200 price range which I know is higher than what the original poster was asking for.

[10,000 Casts]

I would agree that the best reel under $150 is the Abu Record. Smooth and Solid and after last year I haven't had any problems with mine nor talked to anyone that had any major problems.

I am a huge advocate of spending a little more to get alot more when it comes to muskie reels. Tippman is right about the Calcuttas but if you want to stay under $150 the the Record is a great choice. IMO the best reel that Garcia has ever made.

You might want to look at the Pfluger (Round) Trions. I started with 2 of them 3 years ago and beat them up for the first 2 years and now my friends use them and I will still use one of them for smaller to mid size bucktails. They have handled some abuse and I am still happy with them.

John

[DuluthMedic]

Ok...So far i'll go with the record. What about gear ratios? 5.2.1???? 6.3.1??? I donno?

[Tim_Anderson]

DM,

Abu Garcia gets my vote. My experience is that calcuttas break, and often (plastic guts don't cut it for throwing musky lures). I still break Garcias, but not nearly as often, and it's usually normal wear and tear from one or two seasons of really hard use.

I am testing several of their reels this season: the record, the 7000iHSN, and the 7000iCS (pro rocket). The HSN has a 5.3:1 gear ratio, while the iCS has a 4.1:1 All are around $150. Can't wait to try them.

[10,000 Casts]

Lower gear ratio is better for bigger baits with more resistance. visa versa 4.1-1 is really slow 5.1-1 is in the middle and 6.3-1 is teh fastest that I have seen. Also remember that a high gear ratio will burn out quicker.

I believe that the record in a 60 (the biggest size) only comes in a 5.1-1 ratio which is right in the middle and I think that it will be good for all around use. The 50 comes in a 6.1-1 that would be good for burning bucktales. The size will depend on what line you want to use and what you feel comfortable with.

I taped the spool on mine (Instead of backing)(size 60) and I got 125 yds of 65lb Power Pro on it.

Hope this helps

John

[bgreen82]

i have a glowstick/6500c3 combo on the way for catfishing and i just picked up 65 lb power pro for it. was gonna use some mono backing on it, but just heard a couple things about taping the reel. what do you use and how do you do it.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Quote:

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i have a glowstick/6500c3 combo on the way for catfishing and i just picked up 65 lb power pro for it. was gonna use some mono backing on it, but just heard a couple things about taping the reel. what do you use and how do you do it.

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Do mono backing, not tape, or you will be spooling way more Power Pro than you will ever use. I usually put 100-125 yards of Power Pro on and have the rest spooled with mono to fill space. A 6500C3 will hold a ton of 65lb Power Pro. No sense paying for line you won't use, and your reel will cast a lot better with the spool full.

[10,000 Casts]

Quote:

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Do mono backing, not tape, or you will be spooling way more Power Pro than you will ever use. I usually put 100-125 yards of Power Pro on and have the rest spooled with mono to fill space. A 6500C3 will hold a ton of 65lb Power Pro. No sense paying for line you won't use, and your reel will cast a lot better with the spool full.

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couple things,

I expect my PP to last a long time so I try to get as much as possible on there. Everytime I retie I like to cut off a little extra to insure that there are no frayed weak spots. And I retie alot.

For Cats Ralph is right, you really don't need all that much PP. On my Cat rig, I have 50lb pp and I will always use a lighter say, 30lb fireline leader, that way when I snag, the leader will break and I will save my sinker, bead and barrel swivil.

Bgreen,

I use masking tape but there is a special knot that use to tie the line to the spool. It's tough to explain here but I'll get the name of the knot for you.

John

[MuskieMojoTackle]

Quote:

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knot that use to tie the line to the spool. It's tough to explain here but I'll get the name of the knot for you.

John

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arbor knot

[DuluthMedic]

Thanks fellas!