or just a conventional recommendation.

I stick my loose change in a jar throughout the year and then when the RISAA shows comes to town, I use that money for new equipment.

I am considering getting a conventional setup.I have a freshie abu 5000, but am not very good with it yet (there seems to be a very fine line between a decent cast and a birdnest).
Anyway, I would like to hear your recommendations for a startup conventional (probably magged-if that will help control the birdnest) reel for plugging and some eel throwing. I usually toss1 1/2- 4 oz plugs (sometimes larger). I wade and get wet a lot if that makes a difference in any feedback.
I did try a couple of searches but did not really have much luck in finding what I was looking for.
If magged, ideally the reel would be pre equipped with mags. I am not much of a tinkerer with my reels (clean and lube is about as far as i get on my penn Zs-though I will be converting a 710 and a 704 to manual pickup). All the various models confuse the he** out of me as well.
If I can get away with under $150 for a decent reel, that would be ideal, but could see going to $200. Plus a factory rod for about $100.
Thanks for any help and suggestions!

look no further than an abu 6500 cs chrome rocket. durable, beautiful and super easy to control.

I have a 6500 cs Mag elite and I got to tell ya that the rocket is far easier for me to cast.

I think magnets are over rated if your going to use a level wind.

My impression is that magnets are a gimmick. Obviously they have some benefit for tournament casters who throw aerodynamic weights at vicious spool speeds and need something smoother than their thumb, but throwing bulky plugs into variable winds requires you use your thumb and it doesn't take long to master. The standard controls on a reel (centrifugal weights and spool end tension) work well once set up right, your rod (which should unload slowly) and casting stroke (which can't include a wrist snap at the end) also make things easier.
Loads of good casting reels out there. Any Shimano, Diawa, or Abu will do fine. The Calcuttas are my prefered reel (and I've worn out several Abus as well), but a lower end Shimano or ABU 6500 is a good starting point. There is little or no difference in casting ability between expensive and cheaper reels in any top manufacturers line. You rod choice is much more important. My advice is to learn on a 7-8ft muskie rod first, throwing plugs on the upper end (or above) its weight range, before expecting to master the greater velocities generated by a full sized surf rod.

Learn with mono first, cheaper and easier to get backlashes out. If you have to mag a real just to fish, I think the reel is a poor choice. Like Numby said, there are enough controls on reel already to adjust for a proper cast.

Well, first I am no expert, but blow ups are getting fewer and fewer. I find that I can go for an hour or two with zero backlashes and then I'll get a little full of myself, back off on the control and really try for the max distance and BANG-FLUFF_DAM! blowup.

I started with a 6500C3 and mono. Great reel, easy to learn on. But now I have a bunch of reels and they are all pretty good. I like the black 6500 Big Game, I like my Tica Caiman CA200 and I just picked up a Calcutta 400B. I have heard great things about them Had to see. I think with practice they can all be easy to control. However, I am not sure about dunking... no as good as an old 704 for sure. I really believe that developing good smooth casting skills is the main the best solution to blow ups. And that means practice. I know when I just relax and don't try for maximum distance, I have less problems and my distance is just fine.

The Penn 525 Mag is well thought of in the non-level wind department.

Calcutta 400..start with the best..

Start with an ABU 6500 size with 20 pound mono. Easiest reel to learn with, no mags needed. Had my son casting one in less than ten minutes with decent distance. Also use a decent line, cheap line will cause problems. Big Game mono is available everywhere and cheap enough if you need to cut it all off while learning.

I have 5 or 6 of them. For the surf I matched mine with a 10' Ben Doerr with 9 inches cut off tip. This rod is rated to 3 ounces, but only comfortable with tip cut, stock was better with 2-2 1/2 oz. I

I also have a 10' Tsunami stock rated to four ounces. This rod is a great matchup for the 6500 or 7000 narrow. With 20 pound mono, it handles plugs to at least three oz. and eels. For larger plugs I go up to my heavier tackle, but I think it would handle 4 comfortably.

A lot of guys here like the Tica rod line-up also. Haven't used so can't comment. You can get a decent outfit for under 200 bucks.

I'm not convinced that the Calcutta is the best reel. The drag IS better, but you can get two Abu's for the price of one Calcutta. Don't go with the Abu Morrum, you will be disappointed. The Calcutta has a better drag, but the new Abu drags are good, or if you get an older reel you can put Smoothie Drags in it.

The Penn 525 Mag is an excellent reel and is still made here in the US. It doesn't have a level wind, and if you think you need a mag to be able to use a conventional, it probably isn't the reel for you.

The Abu 6500 series are great casting reels, but they were designed to fish 15# mono. Their frames can twist and torque with a good fish on. It used to be the case that you could never get enough drag pressure on the line to cause this, but with better drags now available, and braid, it can happen. I've had it happen. All of a sudden the spool kind of locks in place for a second or two until you drop the rod and release some of the torque. The one piece machined frame of the Calcutta is stronger. It's a better reel. Whether it's worth the price is your call.

I have put a calcutta 400 though the paces at every turn for many years..They are the best all around conventional reel an the market bar none! everyone who I know that uses one falls in love...The reel is simply bullet proof..Abu's? I have used my share in the past there is no way I would say they are even close..But its like anything else, use what you like. If you ask me I would always say the calcutta until something better comes along, that has not happened yet:wave:

Of course you can all argue the point with me in person tonight at the to cold event...LoL

Just remember! No punches to the Stomach please!

Adam, I agree with Bill, the Calcutta 400 is the way to go. I sold the one I had before I moved, loved that reel for the area's we use to fish. :gu:

calcutta 400:musc:

Ok, it looks like htere are strong endorsements for both the calcutta400 and the abu 6500. It looks like its time to check out those two especially. Definately need the level wind.

Thanks to all for the input and recommendations. I do appreciate it.:thanks:

Get one with a level wind. You have much more important things to do while retrieving than making sure the line is going on correctly. My 1 cent.

I think the best mag'ed levelwind is the 6500 CS Mag Elite. The 525 Mike P mentioned is a very "hot' reel. Experts only IMO.

the Mag controls have their place. casting eels into the wind I find the Mag control , adjusted properly , helps.

I have a Calcutta 400 and its a great reel do to the beter drag. I have always been able to cast an ABU 6500 further. I think it holds more line and that may be why its casts further for me. Do they make a Magged calcutta?

Newell 229. I swam with mine all fall and never had to do anything more than add a little lube to the bearings ever once and awhile.

I also own both the 6500 and the Calcutta 400. I like the 6500 but I love the Calcutta. So much so I own 4 of them. Great durable reels with nice drags but they are not super beach friendly in terms of sand finding its way around in them. That probably has something to do with the spec tolerances they are made to. That being said I do use the 400 every time still when I surf cast but I pay attention to my reel and wher it is all the time. The 400 is a bit more pricey as stated above when compared to the 6500.

I have put a calcutta 400 though the paces at every turn for many years..They are the best all around conventional reel an the market bar none! everyone who I know that uses one falls in love...The reel is simply bullet proof..Abu's? I have used my share in the past there is no way I would say they are even close..But its like anything else, use what you like. If you ask me I would always say the calcutta until something better comes along, that has not happened yet:wave:

Of course you can all argue the point with me in person tonight at the to cold event...LoL

Just remember! No punches to the Stomach please!

Ditto

I use plenty of Abu's, 6500's and 7000's. The latter are good for heavier stuff. But what Eben said about the 6500 chrome rocket, or any Abu 6500 rocket for that matter. I have a few and will swear by them. For a rod, pick it! Tica, Tsunamu, and what I like but is discontinued, id the Daiwa Sealine X surfrod. Light and strong this baby is.
Also, the Lamiglass Surfking, conventionals are good as well. There are many. Seek and you shall find, my friend.:wave:

BTW, I don't like the magged Abu's, IMO, with an Abu, you don't need the mags.