I need some advice. 90% of my surf gear was given to me by my Dad when he and my Mom moved to Florida. One of the things he gave me is his custom surf rod, its my main rod, its a beautiful graphite rod and can really take a beating. Along with that is a matching conventional rod. Built to similar specs. Its sitting lonely in my basement. I’d like to get a reel for this rod and use it next year. I used Shimano “baitcasting” reels for years fishing for largemouths. The technology was pretty good and I had few problems.
Are saltwater conventional reels the same? Are they pretty advanced now ? I see many that just look like boat reels and not built for casting. Are they durable in the surf? I get wet most times I fish.
Any help and reel suggestions is appreciated.

What are you looking to throw? In many applications a conventional can be better than spinning, as good, and in many cases a spinner is better - really revolves around what you are trying to do and the ratings of the rod...

Good question, I'm looking for a reel for plugging - swimmers - 2oz +, jigs 2oz + and for tossin' eels.
I believe the rod is a medium action.
I like the feel of a baitcasting reel I feel like I have more control and connection to the line.

Abu 6500CL, 6500CSMag, Calcutta 400, 6500TCST - the TCST is probably best bang for buck...

Think I have a spare Abu 6500 C3CT Mag somewhere

JohnR...maybe he is interested in buying a non-levelwind Calcutta 400 that someone you know has for you?????

The freshwater reels I used had all kinds of fancy magnetic backlash controls and were pretty user friendly.
Those Ambassadors look sort of low tech. They have bunch on ebay for @ 85 bucks

Those low tech Abus are easy to strip and clean after punishment in a wet surf. I'm not convinced the supre mag control Daiwa Millionaires would stand a chance as well as the Abus...

Yeh, do you want a levelwind? Or not? BF & Interplanetary Angler, err, FishWee both have non-levels available :)

John-

Yes - non level wind. The only level winds I have are the 7500 CL's for the Ditch (braid setup). Every other Abu I have is outfitted with mono - which I am very comfortable casting without a level wind.

what he said . the price is right , they stand up well , easy to take down and clean . parts are pretty easy to come by . I own a dozen abus and they have never failed me .

Level wind??

I own whole bunch of Ambassadeur 6500' and 7000' models, some with mag and mostly level wind and some non level wind.
I like them all.

My favorite level wind reel is Ambassadeur 6500CS Mag Florida Surf LE. This one has 6.3:1 gear ratio. and favorite non level wind is Ambassadeur 6500C3CT Mag. with 5.3:1 ratio.

:happy: :happy:

The levelwind is the worm gear / line guide that goes back & forth to lay the line down. Non-levelwinds or conventional conventionals :hihi: require you to manually thumb the line back and forth as you retreive to lay the line evenly on the spool...

I only use levelwinds for surfcasting as I'm kinda lazy and would rather the reel do it than me screw it up...

Also, a level wind may cut down your casting distance to roughly 80% of what non-level wind will cast. Not necessarily a bad tradeoff if the feature is important to you.

80% - nah. Less difference I think and it narrows down even more if you're not as efficient laying the line down...

For someone that is new to conventionals after using spinning reels for decades, is the adjustment of switching hands for casting or reeling tough to make? Would it be better to get a lefty conventional?

For non level winder, please check out Newell 220, Daiwa Sealine-x 20, Penn 525 mag. They are about in the same price range as Ambasadeur reels.:happy: :happy:

Originally posted by hooked
For someone that is new to conventionals after using spinning reels for decades, is the adjustment of switching hands for casting or reeling tough to make? Would it be better to get a lefty conventional?

Nope - the cast and hold is altogether different. You'll hold the butt of the rod with your left hand, right on the trigger of the seat(if equipped and I recommend it) and right thumb on the spool edge. When retrieving surfstyle, rod butt between your legs, left hand cupping left side of spool and right hand turning handle - real comfortable...

My faves -

Abu 6500 CL or 6500 mag - slinging eels.

Abu 7500 CT Big Game or 7500 C3CT - throwing 3-4 oz plugs and jigs.

Daiwa Sealine X 30 SH ("SloSH") - 8nbait. I freakin' love my sloshes. Mine is custom magged.

Abu 7500 CL - 4-5 oz jigs at the Canal.

I save my Newells for the boat.

I had a pleasure of fishing with Ron Arra at the Canal this summer and watched him throwing a plug miles away with his 11' one piece rod and just as the popper landed on the water a striper jumped out of the water took the popper.

It is more than just throwing a plug with a conventional reel. It is an art when you watch a pro like Ron casting with smoothness and control of the reel.

Ron used two non level wind reels.:happy: :happy:

I had the pleasure of having a casting lesson with Ron Arra two winters ago. Was able to increase my distance considerably with a lot less effort. Distance is a good thing to have if you need it. You don't always need it, though.

Ron dumped the entire spool of this Newell P-220 (600+ feet of 25 lb. test mono) using an XRA 132-2 with 5 oz bank sinker. I couldn't even see where the sinker landed.

In February on a cold and blustery South Cape beach.

I can get close without hurting anyone. :tooth: It ain't pretty watching me tho. :laughs:

Yup. That's the reel. he has Penn 525 as a back-up reel.:happy: :happy: :happy:

There is something I can do better than he. Singing "O Sole Mio"
:happy: :happy:

Thanks for all teh info, Im pretty sure Id need a level wind. Id also go for a lefty crank.