I'd like to beat this dead horse a bit.

What conventional reel for a beach bait/eel chucker-

I've got a 10ft conv. rod that has gone thru 2 reels so far this year:

1. a penn squidder - I couldn't slow down the spool enough when casting and spent the better part of the day de-tangling.

2. shimano corsair 400 - this P.O.S. lived up to all the bad reviews, I think the drag went in the first hour, but it did cast well, and gave me my first keeper this cinco de mayo, but my thumb is still growing its skin back from that night.

any opinions on the - Abu Garcia Ambassaduer 6500 Trophy collection-Striper for $90?

Thanks in advance - Jim

mag the squidder.

I would prefer separate reels for each application.

Chunking: My favorite is the Daiwa Sealine X 30 SHV (slosh 30). Out of the box, has a drag that is as smooth as a baby's bottom. It casts a mile, EFFORTLESSLY. The lever drag is nice to have when chunking from the beach. This is my go-to chunking reel (mine is custom magged). For the money ($130?) YOU CANNOT BEAT THIS REEL.

Eeling. A 6500 -sized Abu, or a 400-sized Calcutta would be good choices.

cal. 400 and or a abu 6500.......wee u were 1 sec. fa :bo: ster///abu 7000 for chunks

I love my Cabo PT........
and dunkin chunks, I prefer a baitrunner (spin)

Calcutta 400. Best conventional I ever owned. Load em up with 50# Spectron and it's a dandy.

Calcutta is sweet, but I'd rather throw bait with the good old Abu 7000.

-spence

i second the abu 7000

if it can stand my abuse.. then its *ok* :jump1:

ABU 6500TCST or the 7000 with bearings in place of the bushings...

Mine for that size reel and type of fishing are a calcutta 400 with 35 LB Cortland Spectron and a ABU BG6500CL , same line. For cunking , depending on the rod , Abu BG 7000CL. 50 Lb spectron.


The cranberry abu 6500 you mentioned with the power handle is a good deal.

Where are you fishing? Sandy cape type beach? Rocky RI type structure? That will be a big factor. You can get away with an abu 6500 type reel on the soft cape, but you'll end up crying if you bring it to RI. Abu 7000, magged Avet SX, penn 525, are all decent choices.

I like the Daiwa SloSH 30 better than my Abu 7500 CT/7500 C3CT's for chunking. I can't quite put my finger on why, but the Daiwa is more comfortable to cast and fight a fish with (even if the Abu's have smoothies in 'em). I would go as far as to say the Daiwa SloSH's cast better than the 7500's with ceramic bearings.

Even if you're a dyed-in-the-wool Abu fan, you should take a hard look at the SloSH's .

Great replies, thank you!!

I definately fish beach more than rocks, and I'd rather have too much reel than not enough.

WeeWee - I like the sound of the Daiwa, It'll work double duty jiggin cod.


The SL20SH and SL30SH have such a cult following amongst sea anglers that the have nicknamed the pair, "The SLOSHs." The SLOSH's are incredibly strong and their smoothness is a testimony to their superior build quality.

Four ball bearings for totally smooth operation and superior winding power.
Five-point support frame.
Lightweight, but extra strong anodised aluminium spool.
Multi-washer supersmooth drag system.
Counter balanced handle, adjustable for increased leverage.
Rod clamp supplied.
Gear Ratio 6.1:1

i love my slosh20.
although i've been thinking of letting it go since i've been neglecting it for LW reels.

still trying to find a rod for my Abu7000hs :rollem:
.
That I won at TFCTFN I might add :D

abu 7000

I bought 2 old squidders but have not magged them yet,i may. One of the greatest conv curf reels ever made.
Abus are nice, but the Penn 525 mag is the king of them all IMO.
slosh 30 will be my next purchase i think,cause i hear good things.How big is the drag on that reel??
Personally I now stay away from my calcutta 400 (unless im Not targeting bigger fish) since I witnessed a guy get spooled with the drag cranked all the way down(powerpro 65 ,ripping current canal fishing).Not good to lose a 30#+fish cause your drag is wimpy,wimpy.This is where the 525 Ht100 drag reings supreme(so far). Also since you metioned SAND, and BEACH.Ive dunked both my 525's, a lot.Still purring like kittens. Calc 400,or corsair 400 ?,dont even think about it.

Nobody would recommend a calcutta 400 for the canal.

Only problem with the penn 525 is that its a non levelwind. Beautiful reel otherwise.

Nobody would recommend a calcutta 400 for the canal.

Only problem with the penn 525 is that its a non levelwind. Beautiful reel otherwise.

we have a small canal here in NJ that runs up to about 6-7 knots, I was referring to it.
sorry for the confusion. I never fished the CC canal (drove over it many times but sorry to say never fished it)

levelwind, IMO is overrated (even for nightfishing)just more stuff to go wrong.
With Braids most levelwinds dont cross lay(whatever the tech term is) the line fast enough and this is why you will get a bad birds nest once in a while because the thin braids can dig in very deep quickly on a bad cast & there is no time to react. I have stopped backlashes on nonlevelwinds, midcast. You can LISTEN for it(lineslap) and actually stop it.
Digging in is also a problem when you get stuck on the bottom and have to deliberately break off by walking backwards, drag locked down. Also I notice when fishing levelwinds,you lose contact with the line,which can also cause a loose wrap on the spool,& more potential problems.
You dont have that problem with a non levelwind since your in control of how you lay the line. But levelwinds do have their place, and I will use the Calcutta 400 for some applications.
please dont think im trying to sound like an expert on this subject, its just that I am completely ADDICTED to casting conventionals over spinning in almost any situation if its at all possible.Last year an old timer at montauk(whos name I dont want to drop here) said "youre one of the very few guys out here that truly enjoys using his conventionals " That man knew how to give this kid a compliment.

6-7 knots
:hidin:

-spence

I chunk with a non-levelwind, day or night. To mitigate birdsnests, I will usually use 25 lb. test MONO (attached to 3 turns of 50 lb. test shock leader via a modified uni knot). The SloSH is my chunking reel.

Now - for plugging and jigging with a conventional you'll have fewer problems with mono. I prefer to use the non-levelwind Abu 7500 CT Big Game or Abu 7500 C3CT (both of which are sadly discontinued - Pure Fishing, what the HELL are you thinking?). I use Sufix Tritanium (the BEST mono out there, period), 20 or 25 lb. test attached to 3 turns of 30-40 lb. shock leader.

For plugging and jigging with BRAID, I prefer to use the Abu 7000 CL Big Game reel (which has a levelwind), especially at night. The old Berkley Whiplash (now reincarnated as Spiderwire Stealth) is good line for this application (nice and stiff). I'll use a small SPRO swivel to connect the main line to the leader. Saltheart is gonna disagree with me, but I HATE Cortland Spectron for casting - it digs into itself too easily and scores itself way easily (causing breakoffs). Spectron is ok for boat applications where you are just dropping line to the bottom.

Digging in is also a problem when you get stuck on the bottom and have to deliberately break off by walking backwards, drag locked down.


IMO you shouldn't use the rod/reel to break loose hangups.

Do it with a pair of gloves and save your drag/rod the abuse.
I know atleast one person who's killed main gears doing this.

While no convench expert; I own my share;
Quick thoughts on mine..
Pen 525; great reel, on my 1089 it is a killer set-up to throw anything from loaded redfins to 3oz... its a FAST reel.. no levelwind isnt a big deal, been using convench since I was 3 in the boat, so dont have to think twice about it...

Abu 7000C3... nice reel, levelwind, not big big bucks, so far so good... matched on a 1209....

Abu 6500Mag Elite.. love this reel for everything from slinging eels to fluking (in the bay from a skiff) even has doubled as a blackfish reel in 100ft of water when my trust senator was acting up...

Penn 965... great boat reel, hates water, has a cheap worm gear, but I like the drag on it...

Penn Squidder... still my trusty go to on a glass rods around the breachways... it's my Old school stick... matched with a CalStar live bait rod...

thats my 0.02

no need to mag the squidder, exp will put you into nice casts with this reel, feather the bell.
this is a great reel for tossin lead and big wood and heathen fishing
http://home.comcast.net/~dstratrap/wsb/media/49186/site1024.jpg

IMO you shouldn't use the rod/reel to break loose hangups.

Do it with a pair of gloves and save your drag/rod the abuse.
I know atleast one person who's killed main gears doing this.

Who said I was using the Rod ?,Im not bustin my GLoomis for a .50 cent jig, Im not goofy. You lock her down point the rodtip to the snag +THUMB the spool and walk backwards,something is gonna go & I gaurentee you it wont be my gears. 9/10 its the knot at the jig or the leader or the hook will straighten just enough to let go, im using 65lb braids.
Gloves are for sissies btw :D

Gloves are for sissies btw :D

Booger teach you his ancient chinese sekrit of wrapping it around his erm... yeah.... uhhh I mean MIDGETS :rotf2:

Very difficult to use cortland spectron without a levelwind. Too rough on the leveling thumb for me. I also think all things considered , levelwinds lead to fewer birdsnests vbecause the line is always layed down in a predictable manner. I know I never have a birdsnest cause the line is layed down unfavorably , I get some but not cause of that.. Maybe your braid is too thin?? I don't know why you get the dig ins you mention.

I fish all conventionals except for a small spinner for schoolies. All my conventionals are levelwinds.

Hmmm I missed wee wee's comments on the cortland spectron. That's interesting cause the very reason I choose Spectron over whiplash (which would be my secomd choice) is cause it doesn't get damaged on overruns like the whiplash does!! :) Little difference in perception here. Are you using 50 LB spectron? That stuff either breaks or its OK , No weak spots hiding on you like when you kink the Whiplash.

Anyway , Spectron is the best canal line anywhere , you'll never change my mind about that.

Saltheart,
Are you speaking from your personal experience ? cause I must respectfully disagree with you . Also If all your conv are levelwind, how would you compare to how a non levelwind lays down the same line. Did you try them at some point and shun them for a reason? My fingers lay down a pretty predictable pattern for me & I predict i wont get a backlash if im in control.
And Yes, i like THIN braids,like the 50 whiplash,was my favorite,#50 Stren super is doing fine for me right now,no complaints at all. However I wont use less than a 50# braid on a conv .
(IMO) I think that manufactures have to find a compromise on the pawl worm gear ratio(line crossover rate) to allow use of both mono & braid . Much the same as Gears in a car are a compromise for MPG vs Torque. Its a compromise. If you were to make a Conv casting reel strictly for braids, I think the pawl would move much faster and thereby solve this problem entirely.

Technically since braid is smaller in diameter you'd want the levelwind to move slower to tighten it up on the reel super close.

But levelwinds aren't an exact science, so this isn't really applicable. :D

ok, now your just makin stuff up to bust my stones. :hs: its the opposite.
As proof take a close look at how a LARGE bobbin of thread is wound, then get back to me. Those bobbins are wound tight and proper. They do parallell but they also traverse (a relative of mine is in the knitting business, so just take my word for it)

John, I was using heavier than 50 lb. on a non-levelwind, chunking with 8nbait. I will never use Spectron again, it cost me a nice fish. :splat:

I've been using 35# Cortland Spectron on my Penn 525 mags and 980's for several years and have not had many problems at all with it. It does leave some nasty grooves in my left thumb, but everything else I've used does also.
I usually cut back several feet of line before every trip or after a fish gets me into the rocks, but you should do that with any line.
I'm less than thrilled with my 525 mags. They are great casting reels but I've had a ton of problems with them. Drags, eccentric springs, bearings...
I tear them down and clean them / re-oil & grease about every 3 or 4 trips, so it's not like they are being neglected. They just don't hold up well to heavy use.

ok, now your just makin stuff up to bust my stones. :hs: its the opposite.
As proof take a close look at how a LARGE bobbin of thread is wound, then get back to me. Those bobbins are wound tight and proper. They do parallell but they also traverse (a relative of mine is in the knitting business, so just take my word for it)

Nah, not busting your stones, looking at it from a wire perspective and how to increase the amount of line on the spool. Since its 0 stretch, think of it like a big spool of wire. Its stacked tight. I know what you're talkin about with large bobbins, but spools aren't *that* large. Look at a small spool of thread, its solid and tight turns. :D

Tinman , Nope , no experience at all with spectron , levelwind and non levelwind reels or even fishing in general. Just pulling it all out of my butt.

Oh wait I forgot , I went through everything you are talking about in 1997 and decided to fish Spectron on levelwind reels. I seem to remember doing all the hoopla changing bearings and removing levelwinds on Mag elites and trying them with both whiplash and spectron putting them back on with levelwind bearings from C4's so it had bearings on both ends and doing the rocket fuels and abec 7 bearing dance and buying Whiplash and tossing it and finally settling on the BG 7000CL with 50 Lb spectron. .

Anyone using 50 lb or less whiplash with a jig that weighs more than 2 OZ is setting themselves up for disaster. I know guys who use 65 LB Ok at the canal. I think if I used whiplash , I'd want 80 pound or so.

I don't know what you are doing that is giving you overruns do to the way the line is laying down on your spools. I never had the problem in 8 years of using 35 Lb or 50 LB Spectron on 6500 Abus , 7000 Abus , 9000 Abus or Calcutta 250's , 400's or the big Calcutta (700?). My guess is you're casting technique is lacking something and therefore you are blowing up reels and blaming your line.

Salt,
Next time ill use lots of smilies so you dont get so offended. Were all just enthusiastically trying to share info here. Im not trying to insult you or question your experience, sorry if it came off like that.Some guys I fish with swear by on thing never even having tried the alternative, maybe its the joisey coming out. again I apologize.
Perhaps we can agree to disagree.
btw, My 700 calcuttas(non levelwind) also work very well with 50 whiplash, and thats with 8 oz of lead and a bunker head. No disasters yet.Just gotta wet the line first with a handful of water .
Just different experiences I guess.Been casting conv for over 25 yrs now,so my casting technique is not lacking I assure u. Hey, but none of us here are Ron Arra, so we can all learn from each other, myself most definitley included.

Likwid, i was referring to the bobbins, correct.

Everyone is different. Do what makes ya happy. :D

No need to drop the gloves save that for winter months. However the conflicting opinions are what make these threads (this site) so much better than sponser driven articles. The list of reels below are in order of what is recommended by SB members for a reel used to chuck bait/eels on a ten ft conventional rod -
Abu 7000
Squidder
Diawa sloSH30
Penn 525
Calcutta 400
Cabo PT
Avex SX

By American made, get the Penn and learn to use your thumb; you'll thank me the 1st time you need to replace parts. :humpty:

Not all Penns are made in the US anymore.

Fishsmith,
if your corsair crapped out on you send it back to them with a brief explanation. You dont even really need a note. I sent two back, one two years ago and they upgraded me to the gold one. That one crapped last fall, sent it back to them and they replaced it with a corvallus, they say its an impovement, im not really sure if is or not but its a new reel. They are great at replacing reels. I use the corcallus for freshwater bass and for throwing lighter stuff in the salt. Have the abu 7000 for the canal and have used the corsair there too. Its a throw away reel but since ya just send it back for a new one its not quite a throw away.

I understand what T-man is tryin to say.He likes to lay the line on by hand because the level wind does not overlay the braid well.in other words on the retrieve he moves his guide thumb back an forth much faster creating a wide crisscross pattern that helps to keep the line from diggin way into the spool when tryin to free a stuck jig. If I was gonna trow lures in excess of 1 oz I would use my 7000/7500 BG ABU's wit the level wind smaller lures get the trophy 6500 or a BG 6500.I also have a few 7700 morums that I will punish when in need of a stronger reel.there not as good casting but the one piece frame is a tourqe monster also no longer made.I use any thing from 50- 80 lb braids or 25-50 lb mono depends on what an where's.

Thanks Rob Rock!! I'll do that.