Old topic, New Reel

[guideman]

I have to wonder what you guys are doing to blow up all these reels??

My equipment gets used hard and put away wet, about 100 days a year during the Muskie season, and I have some abu's that are 10 years old. I can't say enough about the Records I own. They have held up under heavy usage, many times by inexperenced anglers that abuse them, without one single failure in 3 years.

FYI, Abu has redesigned the 6500 series(C3&C4)for 09' they upgraded the drag system and replaced all the plastic on the inside with brass. I think you'll find that a lot of the problems they had, have been taken care of.

"Ace"

Ace guide service.

[Kemo Sabe]

Ace

I think most guys are throwing double 10's and everybody knows there hard on the reels, elbows and wrists. I think I read a post of yours a while back that said you catch 90 % of your fish on other lures, maybe that's why your reels hold up. Every rocord I owned was toats in less than 3 trips to the lake.

Rumor has it that Shimano is comming out with a level wind reel similar to the trinidad. Time will tell.

[TrophyEyes]

To be completely honest I am more confused on what to buy now then I was before I posted this question originally. I think it comes down to what it will be used for and if I am lucky to find an Abu that won't blow out. I think luck of the draw is a big part of the Abu's today. I didn't make it through 1/2 a day of fishing with my C3 and yes it blew out on a DCG. I think I am going to move my C3 to my other rod, which handles more of my smaller topwater, Spinner baits and standard bucktails. I think I will get far more use out of it that way. I will save and get the 400TE for my 8' Heavy rod which handles the double 10's, bulldogs and trolling.

[JRedig]

Do you remember if you saw any Shimano Calcutta 401TE's?

[BullFighter]

Another VOTE for the7000's

[NCLaker]

How long has it been since the Shimano did any upgrades/changes to the Calcutta TE 400?

I was told that they do some internal upgrading every year or two, but have kept the same external.

Anyone know if they have any upgrade/redesigns planned in the near future?

[guideman]

I may catch more fish on other baits, however that doesn't mean I never throw double 10's. I have lots of cowgirls and other large bucktails and my clients throw them all the time.

My records reels I Have with the power handles, do as good a job with the big baits as my Shimanos do, in fact they actually cast them much better than the Shimanos, especially into the wind. I would bet my equipment takes as much or more punishment than anybodys.

With that said, I wouldn't have put a reel like the C3 in a situation where it's going to fail. Pulling the big blade baits with a C3, is just a poor equipment choice in my book.

No matter how you look at it, a reel breaking down after just a few hours of use isn't normal. I would think that there has to be another reason besides just the size of the bait, or the type of reel that you're using. Perhaps operator error may have contributed to the problem as well.

"Ace"

Ace guide service.

[TrophyEyes]

Ace, I appreciate you view and you continue to through a wrench in my decision. The C3 that I had was definitely a manufacturing malfunction. Gander Mtn. took the reel back immediately. It did however land a 44" fish on a super humper before it bit the dust. So like I said, I have a C3 and a C4 that really cannot stand up to what I am planning on throwing at them next year, which is why I need to upgrade. The guys at Thorn Bros told me the C3 would be just fine if I didn't exclusively through the big blade baits. Last year was the first year for serious muskie fishing and the first year I have used a bait casting reel. I have been fishing for over 20 years on spinning tackle so my "operator error" for the bait caster could easily be the problem. I also don't know the first thing about bait caster maintenance, which will prove to be a problem down the road I am sure. I need a tank, which is why I am leaning towards the Shimano. That said, my friend is a muskie guide on Minnetonka and fishes a lot of muskie tournaments and he exclusively uses Abu's and loves them. Tough decision, I guess I will have to agonize over it for the next few months.

Most importantly, does anyone know when and where I can get the best deal on either one of these reels? I would really like to spend my money at Thorn Bros or somewhere small rather than a chain store, however price is important. Does the Muskie expo provide good deals?

[guideman]

You might be able to save a few bucks at the Expo, it just depends on which booth you go to. There are always some good close out prices on equipment you just have to shop around.

Maybe I'll see ya there, I'll be in my booth.

"Ace"

Ace guide service.

[HugoBox]

Last year was the first year for serious muskie fishing and the first year I have used a bait casting reel. I have been fishing for over 20 years on spinning tackle so my "operator error" for the bait caster could easily be the problem. I also don't know the first thing about bait caster maintenance, which will prove to be a problem down the road I am sure.

Trophy -

Not to pile on the Chevy/Ford deal here, but I think you're point on the quick blow-up could be valid. I had two brand new 7000's last year, one of them I was pretty much the only one to ever throw it (other than Redig a time or two) the other I let a lot of buddies use. I gaurantee my primary set-up was used 20 times more than the other, but the extra one is the one that required more TLC at the end of the year. I've been happy with them so far and haven't blown them up, but if you do plan to use it for lots of other stuff than double 10's I'd consider something different as the 7000 can feel like holding a brick after a long day. I switch to the Curado 300 when I'm using differen stuff cause my little girly hands don't like lugging the beig reel around unless I need the cranking power.

Sorry if I added to the confusion but there's my 2 bits.

-good luck - erik

[b1gf1sh1]

Quote:

I would really like to spend my money at Thorn Bros or somewhere small rather than a chain store, however price is important. Does the Muskie expo provide good deals?

hey trophy,

if you plan on buying other stuff besides just a reel this year at thorne like, a rod, more lures maybe a lakemaster chip or something your sure to get discounts. they are nice over there. i deal with Pat mostly. i like his explanations about things. straight up, no baloney and right on every time if i don't hear a ''i'm not sure but'' in his sentence. thorne will be at the expo. retail anywhere is $350.00 (unless that's changed). just ask them at thorne if they can swing some sort of deal

also. i'm looking at the 700TE. anybody have one? or hear anything on them? 31''s per crank? holy moly. i wonder how easy that would pull ##13's with the TE gears? i gotta put one in my hands first though.

[mroyten]

OK, OK! I found an article in a Musky Hunter Mag from last spring that lists out reels that hold up well to Big bladed bucktails. The sources is Chuck Brod of Sportsman's Repair in Mosinee, Wis (www.sportsmansrepair.com). Hopefully it will helps some people clarify some things.

Model

Shimano

CT400B, CTE400, CTE401, CT700B, CTE700, TN16N, TOR 14, TEK600

Abu Garcia

6600 EXT, 7000C3i, 7000i, 7001i 7000iHSN, 7000ICS

Daiwa

Luna 300, Luna 300-L

St. Croix

AC300A

Quantum

CLW20PTS

Penn

965, 975