I know squat about Conventional Gear but I'm hoping to get a combo this winter. I want it mainly for drifting eels but learning to cast conventional will also give me somthing to do over the winter.

I know I want a 1201m so the only questions is what reel to match it? I'm not concerned too much about the price but I'm not looking to fork over too much cash unecessarily.

Also, should I get a reel with a level wind since I'm a beginner.

So.......what reel should I get.

6500 Mag Elite, 6500 Big Game, 6500 TCST, Calcutta 400

Start with a good mono, get it down pat then consider braid... Bring your spinner with you as when you backlash in all nastiness you'll want to still fish.

great thread!! im planning on the same thing this winter and i was wondering on a reel myself...
i have a friend who likes the quantum cabo series conventional, thoughts??:thanks:

Def get a levelwind. If you're drifting from shore I'd consider something with more capacity than a 6500, especially if you're going to use mono.

-spence

http://www.abugarcia.com/prod.php?k=50133&sk=50006&p=PURBG10000
BG7000HSN

Get this reel and have the drag changeded and put some souped up mags in it

CC Tackle, will hook you up

or the Abu Pro Rocket

Drifting in a B reachway with a 6500 and 20# mono is sufficient - did it for years. Not as nice as the cpapacity on a 7000 but sufficient. Once you go to braid you get more capacity or go to a 7000 size for more with Mono.

There are significant advantages to mono at a breachway...

I was interested in these too reels. They look very similar.

1: http://www.capecodtackle.com/Merchant/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=cct01&Product_Code=ABU+7000+i+CS++Pro+Rocket&Category_Code=02_01_00_REELS_ABU_ALL+-1

2. http://www.saltwateredge.com/PROD//ABU03

I used goosefish's 1201L all last season and had my abu 6500 cs Mag elite on there... its a perfect fit. If you go with that reel, make sure you upgrade a few things- a power handle, better drag washers and it wouldnt be a bad idea to upgrade the level wind gearing to one with a bearing in it(the stock ones have no bearings- all in all its an awesome combo-

For casting eels, I think you'd be fine with the 6500 size Abus. Or a Calcutta. It could get a little dicey depending on how far you drift, if you're going to feed the snakes into the tide. I used to say you're better off stepping up to the 7000 size, but I'm not sold on the quality of the Taiwanese/Chinese Abus, and every 7000 size reel is now made in the Orient. Most if not all of the 6500 and smaller are still made in Sweden.

My choice would be the BG 6500 CL, or the Calcutta 400. 20# mono for starters. You can probably get 175 yards on there.

If the 6500 doesn't have the new Carbontex drag washers, definitely consider getting them. The stock drag on the 6500 reels is horrible. I know all of the new 7000 size reels come with the better drag, but I'm not sure about the 6500. The stock drag on the Calcutta is fantastic.

Daiwa has a reel that's similar to the Calcutta, too. I think they call it the Luna. Never used one, but every Daiwa reel I ever owned had a drag that couldn't be beat, right out of the box.

Searching for them is confusing. There are so many and I haven't been able to match them to the reels recommended above. It's easy to find an abu 6500 or 7000 but every reel has cs, cl, etc. listed after that. What do they mean??????

I may just end up going with a Calcutta because It's easier..

LD models have a lever drag system. CT models are non-level winds.

2 cents: get the level wind. if your throwing eels you won't need to throw them far.

The 6500 Pro Rocket is essentially the same as a Mag Elite without the Mags (I'm 96% sure as I don't have a Rocket). The rocket has the longer "power" handle (comfortable on a 6500 but I just don't like on a calcutta). You need to buy the handle for the Mag Elite (comes with paddle handle). Both should have drags updated to Smoothie or Extreme Smoothies. Bearings can be upgraded to eramics or Abec 7 (abec 5 is standard)

The 7000 Rocket does not have a mag counterpart.

LD models have a lever drag system. CT models are non-level winds.

2 cents: get the level wind. if your throwing eels you won't need to throw them far. Agree, and CS usually designates levelwind. So a 6500CT Mage Elite is a non-levelwind MagE and a 6500CS Mag Elite HAS the levelwind. A 6500CSPR is a levelwind pro rocket, and a 7000CTPR (if they make one - think they do) is no levelwind 7000 CT Pro Rocket - how is that for loosely consistent ;)

Ludz,

The newell 229 is my recommendation. The new ones have metal spools, are well built and cast great. My partners refer to them as "coffe grinders." The reel has no level wind, but level winds are for sissies anyways,:hee: they are like training wheels on a bike. Good drag on the newell too. You can try mine if you want this winter. Its a man's reel.:uhuh: :fishslap:

I am going to get a calcutta 400 te for next year, for special situations. That reel would be my second choice if I could only have one reel , reason being the capacity might be less than what you want if you plan on jigging the canal, but its a great surf reel.

I totall agree with Mike. I fished a Newell 229 on the Back for years and it was "bullet proof". I sold it last year to RI Rockhound for his father. I now fish 2 Calcutta 400s and they have been great.

Luds-take him up on his offer.cast one before you buy. the newells are nice reels, very light in weight and easy to maintain. I've had the 235-5 for 15 years , still kicking.

As far as the sissy thing/level wind ....they'll only call you that over the internet. no worries.

Anybody have one of these. I realize it doesn't have a level wind.

6500C3 CT Blue Yonder

http://causewaybait.com/store/large/10gmc/Abu_Garcia_Reels/6500C3_CT_Blue_Yonder.html

It's pretty.:humpty:

There are a lot of variation on the 6500...I've got the levelwind Chrome Rocket.

It's pretty sweet :)

-spence

you'll be best bet for throwing larger lures and handling fast rips and tides is an abu 7000 model, probably a 7000c3. the reels have not changed too much from model to model and thru the years. that says a lot. the reels a pretty much bullet proof w/ minor maintainence. just dont dunk the reel or let sand get into the spool and you are good. i've fished mine for over 15 years now and woudl still buy more for that purpose. the 6500 series is nice, but it has smaller components. again, it depends how you plan on fishing. the narrow width of the 6500 makes it harder to pick out an overrun when it does occur. the 6500 has less capacity than a 7000, but is a much faster reel. it can be a little harder to master.

your lure range and what you plan on throwing may dictate which one you should use. i've had a gsb1201m for years and that was the reel that was on it. matched perfectly.

Can't go wrong with any of the reels mentioned, but I think a 6500 is too small a reel for a rod as powerful as a Lami 120 1m. Would do better on a 1L. The calcutta is equally small, but a stronger reel (that hates sand). The 7000 is better matched in the balls dept for the power of the rod, but the 7000 weighs more than I like. I've been very happy with Newells, probably a 229 or 235 for that size rod. Still, if you're unsure, the calcutta 400 is a very versatile reel to own, and you'd find something else to do with it if you eventually decide it is too small for the rod in question.

I may just end up going with a Calcutta because It's easier..

Good choice;
I've been using the same Calcutta 700 for 7 years & had one bearing change out (6 years ago) my bad.....I think its a great depedable & goto reel,IMO I think with all of the mods on other reels it almost evens out with the cost of a Calcutta.

This winter I was thinking of getting another Shimano but this time thinking of a Trinidad 16.

Best of luck.


5/0

5/0, The calcutta 700 (I love my 400) doesn't get many mentions here for surf use. Do you find the size to be an issue? I'm assuming that its very similar to a 7000 abu. Is it a little wider? I need to try one on a rod this winter and see how it feels.

5/0, The calcutta 700 (I love my 400) doesn't get many mentions here for surf use. Do you find the size to be an issue? I'm assuming that its very similar to a 7000 abu. Is it a little wider? I need to try one on a rod this winter and see how it feels.

It is a little wider and not as tall. I dunnoh. It is smooth & precise like the 400 but it feels awkward and unbalanced when surf fishing....

a tricked out 6500 cs mag elite- user friendly and quite reliable.

What ever conventional reel you get use line with no memory
or low memory. I have seen alot of guys use cheap line to learn.
the line will start to coil coming off the reel and the night mare begins.
A great trick I heard of was cast out 20 yards of line than tape
the spool. As you get better casting keep adding 10 to 15 yard
more. If you do get a backlash it will stop at the tape.
Keep the spool brake alittle tighter, less backlashes. As you get
better loosen it it up but as the guys here will tell you when you
go for those extras 15 to 20 yards sometimes you pay for it.
Do bring second pole , trust me one this . It will take you one season
to get the basic of casting a conventional.
Ten years ago I started using conventional reels.
1 i used alot of cheap line
2 tried to cast 100 yards every time
3 Didnt have this forum
but I still learned (the hard way) so hang in there and dont give up
this will take time to learn but it is worth it.
ps. I own 7 conventional and 1 spinner

5/0, The calcutta 700 (I love my 400) doesn't get many mentions here for surf use. Do you find the size to be an issue? I'm assuming that its very similar to a 7000 abu. Is it a little wider? I need to try one on a rod this winter and see how it feels.


The 700 didn't get as many hits as the 400 did,I assumed he was looking to drift eels (in the Canal or a breach way Im not trying to be a wise a$$)on a convench.you can use it for eels,plugs & metals in the surf,I have and IM sure there are many others.

A 700 Is wider,weighs 19 oz.,holds more line,(than the mentioned reels)it has a solid once piece frame made out of A6 aluminum,smooth drag,tighter tolerances.ect.ect...I know it's wider than the Abu 7000 I don't find the size to be an issue,I guess I've grown to accept it.I have friends who speak highly of the Abu's they use them all the time & it's there goto conventional,me on the other hand,I don't know squat about them so I really can't comment.

I also want to state that this was my first conventional reel I owned & learned on,with this reel I can jig,plug & drift eels in the canal,
(any where)I think if you match this reel with the right stick I think you'll love it bar none!

5/0

I use and love the 6500 series reel. I have the 6500 pro rocket and the 6500 record. Also own a few of the 7000 series reels. The 6500 is an excellent match for that rod. Just as a bit of info that may help you make your decision. Go level wind. makes it easier to handle. After learning how to cast use 40 lb. power pro. That reel will hold 300 yards of that line with a backing of two layers. If anyone needs more that 300 yards of line to drift eels they must fish places i have never heard of.:faga: