Best Reel Out There?

[TMF89]

Hey guys, I'm looking to pair up a 7'6 Guide Series/St. Croix (whichever I can find) with a reel, and I'm wondering what the best one out there is? Factoring in quality, longevity, and price range, what's your guys's take on it? NOT the best for the money, but the best overall. I'm pairing it with a longer rod, so I'm guessing a 6:1 gear ratio for casting the bucktails?

[Muskycrazy]

I have a similar rod and up til last week I would have told you to use an Abu Record but after a day of casting Big bucktails and then catching a mid 40 Musky something broke . It was a well cared for reel so I am to believe that it just couldn't hold up to the work . I wouldn't know what reel to recommend but I can't really recommend the Record . I just think that you should be able to get more than 20 or so uses out of a 160.00 reel .

[MuskieMojoTackle]

Quote:

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Hey guys, I'm looking to pair up a 7'6 Guide Series/St. Croix (whichever I can find) with a reel, and I'm wondering what the best one out there is? Factoring in quality, longevity, and price range, what's your guys's take on it? NOT the best for the money, but the best overall. I'm pairing it with a longer rod, so I'm guessing a 6:1 gear ratio for casting the bucktails?

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A high gear ratio is definitely not what you want for burning bucktails. A high gear ration reel will not hold up to the stresses that large bucktails put on a reel.

I prefer the Abu Garcia 7000iCS Pro Rocket for burning tails. The low gear ratio makes it very easy to pull blades all day, and the large spool diameter maintains the speed of a higher geared reel.

You could also look at the Team Daiwa Luna or Shimano Calcutta TE.

[deerhuntr8]

Shimano Calcutta TE is hands down the best reel I have ever used. No comparison.

[RK]

Hiya -

Luke's right on about the gear ratio. Unless you'r burning tiny french-bladed bucktails, you don't want a high speed reel. Too much work, and very tough on the gears with no-stretch superline (higher gear ratio = more, smaller gear teeth...)

Personally, I use Garcia 7000s for all my bucktails - and everything else practically. A low gear ratio (4.7:1) but large diameter spool so line pick-up is still fast. As far as durability, I have some 7000s that are almost 20 years old, with some VERY hard use. I replace a pawl and worm gear once in a while and that's about it. They just keep running. Not bad for a $130 reel.

If you don't want a big reel like a 7000, check out the Garcia 6600 EXT. Low gear ratio in a smaller reel.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[Tim_Anderson]

I second what Rob said. I like the older (red) 7000. I have been trying out the new big game series 7000 HSN (round and smaller spool), and the 7000 ics pro rocket (round, larger spool). I like them both, but definitely like the ics for the bigger bucktails and speed/burning. They are a bit big and heavy, but you will get used to them.

[Pistol Pete]

Is the 6600 EXT a discontinued model?? Can't even find it on Garcias web site.

[RK]

Pete -

Just the opposite actually - it's a pretty new model. On the Abu HSOforum they only show the 5600 EXT right now, but there IS a 6600. Might try calling a retailer, or email garcia?

cheers,

Rob Kimm

[hanson]

While I don't use my Garcia 7000s for fishing muskies, they do see heavy duty use fishing Flathead Cats in the rivers. I will absolutely agree with the fact they are a workhorse.

We typically are casting 3-6 oz weights with large live baits, and fighting 10-50lb cats in current.

I have never had any kind of failure yet. (knock on wood)

[Pistol Pete]

Rob, thanks for the info. Will check with my local retailer and see if they can get one. Had sugery on both elbows a couple years ago and weight is an issue to me. Also it seems like a 7000 just does not balance on my rod correctly. Probally just used to a 6500's weight after many years.

[garage_logician]

Seems I am in the market now for a new reel (an older Garcia of mine failed tonight). I was looking at the different reels on Cabelas and the Pflueger Trion looked like a decent reel for the price. Anyone here have any experience with this reel? Yeah or Nay? :-)

[TMF89]

It's a great little reel, but a little light for muskies?

[Ralph Wiggum]

Trion 66 is the same size as a Garcia 6500.

[buzzin for bass]

I'll back what Luke and Rob and Tim said, but from the point of view of a relative newbie when it comes to musky fishing and a complete newbie to the large bucktails and the 7000 class reels.

Over this offseason I built a couple of large bucktails with double 10 colorado blades and threw them for the first time on musky opener this year. After reading about how hard those big bucktails pull and the damage they can do to lighter reals I decided to buy a red abu 7000i (with the bushing instead of the bearing). The reel was just over a $100. Well in reeling in the first couple of casts I began to think the purchase was unwarranted, it didn't feel like the big bucktail was pulling at all...then I went into my first figure-eight with the big buck and nearly gave myself a hyrnia from all the unexpected resistance and the akward motion of leaning over the side of the boat.

Point being, with the low gear ratio, big power handle and the large t-grip the 7000 makes pulling those big bucktails feel about the same as pulling in a bass sized spinner. If you're going to throq the big bucktails you either need the arms of popeye or the right reel for the job.

[TMF89]

I'm being sucked in by the amount of praise the 7000i is getting, but I checked out Garcia's HSOforum, and it seems like it's a huge reel! (no pix on the site, if anyone could post one it would be GREATLY appreciated) The amount of line it held, and weight, makes it sound like a monster.

[RK]

Hiya -

Yeah, the 7000s are big, which takes some getting used to. But, the size is worth the power and durability in my book. Not too easy to find reels that are basically bulletproof for under $130.

For a photo, go to the Abu Garcia HSOforum...

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[Ralph Wiggum]

Here's a shot of the Abu Garcia 7000i. The 7000C3i looks the same except it is silver in color.

[buzzin for bass]

The reel is absolutely massive, but don't be scared. The vast majority of my reals are low profile bass reels and I am still able to use it just fine. When I'm musky fishing I generally put the butt of the rod under my armpit and hold the rod infront of the reel. With that method i haven't had any trouble with the size of the reel and I have relatively small hands. Also, when I purchased mine from Thorne Bros. they told me that if I tried it and didn't like it they would trade it out for me which gave me a lot more confidence to try it.

[TMF89]

I wish there was a store nearer than Thorne Bros that had one so I could try it out. I've been looking at the C4 6600, is that a decent reel? I'm not looking for top of the line, just for something that'll last a couple of years. Also, this is a casting reel, I already have a trolling combo. Would I want to go down to a 5600 because of the gear ratio (off the top of my head, a 6600 is a 6:1, and the 5600 is 5:1)? How about the shimanos, are those of better enough quality that the price upgrade is worth it?

As far as a rod goes, I'm thinking 7'6", either a Guide Series or St. Croix. I just realized that both are about the same price, so I might as well go with the St. Croix, lol.

[hanson]

What you want to pay attention to is whether the Garcia reel is a C3 series or C4 series.

C3 = 5.3:1 gear ratio

C4 = 6.1:1 gear ratio

7000C3 happens to be the exception in the C3 series with a 4.1:1 gear ratio

The numbers represent size of the reel, or line capacity.

4600 = 10/170 (170 yards of 10lb mono)

5500/5600 = 12/205 (205 yards of 12lb mono)

6500/6600 = 14/245 (245 yards of 14lb mono)

For some reason, 5500 & 6500 reels are C3, and 5600 & 6600 are C4 series as well.

Generally, the larger the number, the more line capacity

Reels that end in a '1' are left hand models, for example 7001 is a left handed Garcia 7000.

If your question is in regards to a good reel for casting large baits, you'll want to look at a 6500 C3 series Garcia, or step up to the 7000 C3. I think the gear ratio on a C4 series is going to be too high as previously mentioned. If you are looking to burn smaller baits, C4 is going to be alright.

Geez... I know too much about muskie reel selection for just being a catfishman. Gear & equipment are similar so why not.

[Ralph Wiggum]

To add to Hanson's explanation:

Generally if the second number is a 5, it is a push-putton freespool, and if the second number is a 6, it is a thumb-bar freespool.

So, a 6500C3 has the button and a 6600C4 has a thumb bar.

[crazyice]

If you are going to spend the money on a nice set up have you considered a custom St. Croix?? I have done a few muskie rods on their blanks and they turn out awesome!

[TMF89]

I'm limited to Gander Mountain (the 20% discount comes in handy. I work in fishing, but I'm not much of a musky hunter. Hoping to change that this year though.)

[garage_logician]

Quote:

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I have a similar rod and up til last week I would have told you to use an Abu Record but after a day of casting Big bucktails and then catching a mid 40 Musky something broke . It was a well cared for reel so I am to believe that it just couldn't hold up to the work . I wouldn't know what reel to recommend but I can't really recommend the Record . I just think that you should be able to get more than 20 or so uses out of a 160.00 reel .

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I hope it was a fluke. I looked at reels tonight at Cabelas and decided the Record was the reel for Muskies. I asked about the durability and reliability and was told that out of 200+ reels they sold last year they only had 4-5 come back. Anecdotal I know but I thought I would give one a shot. Spooled with some 80lb Tuff Line I am hoping to give it a workout this weekend. :-)

[Rebel9921]

I would greatly recommend that you do not get 6600C4... I had one on my EH 7ft Grandt Rod and I can tell you that it had no power at all... It felt like I was reeling in 20-30lb deadweight instead of a simple 10" dual-bladed Bucktail... I immediately packed in the C4 and sent it back to Gander Mountain, and exchanged it for other 6600C3... Since you work at Gander Mountain... I would recommend that you purchase the 6600C3 instead... As far as I know, Gander Mountain is the ONLY retailer in MN that carry 6600C3 and they're pretty much getting sold quickly... the 6600C3 is geared 5.3:1... basically it is a improvised version of the 6500 with the thumbbar instead of the pushbutton... As for the 7000 series... I havent found any info that makes the 7000i and 7000iC3 any different except for several conflicting reports, some saying that the 7000i has bushings instead of bearings whereas some says that the 7000i has two bearings (more likely in the spool)... but for sure the 7000iC3 is like a souped up version of the 6500/6600C3 with same number of bearings but lower gear ratio... I did not do much checking into 7000 series because I dont feel I need a reel that big since my two 6600C3 is performing the job well.. I also did an interesting tidbit posting on Abu Garcia reels last month or so... I also found out earlier today that theres another 6600 thats exclusive to Cabela's only... and its 6600C5... its priced the same as a 6600C3 from Gander Mountain... the only difference between 6600C3 and 6600C5 is the number of bearings... C3 has 3 while C5 has 5... the gear ratio is the same... I am interested to give 6600C5 a try when I can... here is the link to my posting on Abu reels: http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=1079429&page=2&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

I hope this helps!!!