casting conventional

[Mr. Krinkle]

I know a lot of people use conventional when casting plugs. I only use them when chunking from the beach. I'm curious to know what reels you guys can recommend for casting plugs (3 oz. plus). Oh yeah, I would like to use braid on the reel.

Does anybody have any experiance with the pre-magged Avet? I have an Avet that I use on the boat, but was looking at the magged one. Thanks in advance.

[Saltheart]

For 3 OZ I would go for a 7000size ABU.

[numbskull]

Depends on where you are fishing (and to a lesser extent what rod).
Almost all my fishing is done with plugs 2-4 oz. For most of it I use a Calcutta 400, Abu 6500, Newell 229, or Calcutta TE. I think the mid-sized reels have plenty of power to do the job (the canal may be an exception because of line capacity issues) and are much more pleasurable (easier to cast and lighter) to fish than their bigger brothers.

[steve]

For 3 oz plugs you can use the 7000 ambassedeur. I prefer the 6500 model, specifically the pro rocket in either black or chrome. The 6500 and 7000 Big Game is also good. I use 25 pound mono , Berkley Big game clear or Ande back country. I never tried braid on a casting reel in the surf. Also, the Shimano Calcutta 400 is probably the best surf reel. A very good fisherman, Bill Nolan, who fished nothing but conv. when he surf fished, tried them all and said the Calcutta was THE best. He only used 20 pound test, Ande back country, with a very long , 2 wraps around the reel, of 50 pound mono for a shocker. He was the best conv. casters I ever seen with that outfit. He mostly fished regular sized live eels but could also cast artificals . I think he used a 9 ft medium action rod.

[piemma]

I agree with Steve. #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& was/is the master of the Calcutta 400. I have 3 myself and have used them with up to 4oz plugs.

[SeaWolf]

i agree w/ others in this thread that the Abu 7000-class reel is about the standard and easiest to master. i've had years of experience on these reels. stick to a "C3" model, which has bearings on the spool shaft and a levelwind. the "CT" models are w/o levelwinds. the 6500-class Abu's are nice, but can be outgunned in some heavy current areas if targeting larger bass. the stock drags used to be junk, but the newer Carbonex drags may be an upgrade. either way, get Smooothies replacement drag washers for your Abu. the 6500-class reels are generally easier to cast and much faster reels than the 7000s.

i have a friend that fished a calcutta 400 for years and had great success with it. i cannot comment on the reel as i never used one due to having good success with Abu's. the few times i did cast a calcutta 400 i found it too slow, but it wasnt my reel.

the newer avet's with spool controls may be worth the look. they are fast reels and require an educated thumb.

diawa makes a couple of models as well that have had good success, but are not as popular in the northeast it seems.

the newells are also fast reels and require an educated thumb. some have had very good look with them.

one piece of advice, i would suggest starting with mono and as you get better with casting move to braid. your window of controlling an overrun using braid is much shorter than if you were using mono. casting lures under 2 ounces, especially if they are not rear loaded like poppers, or eels with braid can take a while to master.

[Mr. Krinkle]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Depends on where you are fishing (and to a lesser extent what rod).
Almost all my fishing is done with plugs 2-4 oz. For most of it I use a Calcutta 400, Abu 6500, Newell 229, or Calcutta TE. I think the mid-sized reels have plenty of power to do the job (the canal may be an exception because of line capacity issues) and are much more pleasurable (easier to cast and lighter) to fish than their bigger brothers.

Are you using braid on those reels or mono?

Also, some of those reels have a levelwind, are you taking that off or casting with that on?

[bassballer]

I have a calcutta 700. You think its to big? Any of you guys ever fish that reel?

[steve]

Bassballer, yes, for all around use.

[Gunpowder]

seeing that most people have covered all of the very popular reels, one more to look at with an open frame is the daiwa saltiga surf. though many people seem to use it as a bait reel, if your throwing big plugs, it may be something to look at. however, i really think sticking with a levelwind for plugging would be ure best bet. also, gear ratio and line reel in per turn are something to consider as well. for plugging, a gear ratio of 5.0 or more to one (ex 5.3:1) is a good choice with anywhere from 30+ inches of line reeled in per turn. obv this advice will differ from person to person but give a few reels a try and see what works for you.

good luck.... there are so many to look at

mike

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by Mr. Krinkle

Are you using braid on those reels or mono?

Also, some of those reels have a levelwind, are you taking that off or casting with that on?

I like fireline 20 or 30 for most fishing. I also use mono 25-30, only on the Newells. I fish with the levelwinds 75% of the time ( and always when boat plugging). The one place they are an issue is the canal. With very hard casts using a powerful rod, fast reel, and really high line velocities you will eventually get a loop during your release that snags the levelwind pawl screw/post and breaks you off. This isn't a problem at night from shore throwing large plugs, when you are pacing yourself and casting smoothly. I don't feel the levelwinds cost me any appreciable distance with most plugs, and I think they help control the reel. I find I can concentrate better on what the plug is doing (though thumbing gets near automatic eventually). They can be an issue in sandy surf.....but I don't fish that much anymore (when I did I used a 6500 and was OK). It is also very hard to fish a pencil or spook in still water with a non-level wind reel. For creeping eels the levelwind is unnecessary.

I can't speak for a magged Avet, but it is hard to believe anyone would be unhappy owning a Calcutta 400b. They are very useful reels.

[steve]

Numbskull, we just got some new green colored Fireline at the shop. I spooled up with 30 lb on a 150 VS and used it in Providence for winter over stripers before it iced over last week. I really liked it and my question is - Is this the same Fireline as the gray stuff only dyed green? This green stuff seemed more supple and slicker than the grey line. The packaging was the same as always. Are you aware of any changes? Thanks, Steve

[Back Beach]

I've used a newell 229 since I started fishing. Works nice with 65# braid....its a fast reel with no levelwind, casts well, very light, high speed retrieve, and good drag...but they're not for everyone.

[wheresmy50]

Originally Posted by Mr. Krinkle

I know a lot of people use conventional when casting plugs. I only use them when chunking from the beach. I'm curious to know what reels you guys can recommend for casting plugs (3 oz. plus). Oh yeah, I would like to use braid on the reel.

Does anybody have any experiance with the pre-magged Avet? I have an Avet that I use on the boat, but was looking at the magged one. Thanks in advance.

I use Abut 7000s for conventional casting.

I tried an Avet once, and so it sits barely used in a box in my fishing room. If you want to see for yourself how far an f-bomb carries on a lonly beach at night, you can have it for short money. I freely admit that in the right hands it's probably a very good reel.

[numbskull]

One trick to casting reels with minimal casting controls is finding the right oil viscosity. It requires some work (you need to clean and dry your bearings each time you change oils), as well as trial and error, but the right viscosity oil in the bearings can tame almost anything. For plugging with Newells I've had very good luck using Rocket Fuel XS formulation ( I used to get it from Hatteras Outfitters.... but hear they aren't very dependable anymore), which is thicker than their Red Formula. Stays in the bearings very well (longer than automotive oils). I'll bet it would work great in a Avet as well. Hell, I even tried STP at one point.

Steve, I haven't used the green Fireline, but didn't like the crystal Fireline formulation (which I found very slippery for conventional casting with big plugs). The latter might be fine with spinning tackle, however.

A nice thing about Newells for heavy loads can be seen in BB's picture. The spool flange lets you thumb that instead of the line (note the shiny right flange). The flange creates less friction so there is no grabbing/jerking which is a death knell for conventional casting. I don't know if Avets have that.

[steve]

Thanks , George.

[5/0]

Originally Posted by bassballer

I have a calcutta 700. You think its to big? Any of you guys ever fish that reel?

Yup use it all the time in the Canal with braid,also use a 700TE also use braid.

Originally Posted by steve

Bassballer, yes, for all around use.

Steve,what's YHO on how the 700 is to much for all around use?

[steve]

5/0, two of my friends bought larger Shimanos figuring that they would be a 400 with a little more beef. Both sold them soon after and went back to the 400. Both felt just too much reel for the surf. It's better suited for live lineing or yo-yoing, etc. I never used one. I used the 400b and liked it but still like the 6500 better.

[Mr. Krinkle]

WOW guys. Thanks so much for the info. My friend is going to let me borrow his Abu 7000 or his Calcutta 400. Great stuff!

[Stewie]

I fished a 7000C3 Swede for years and years. If you want levelwind, this is your reel. If you don't need the reel to level itself, check out the Daiwa Saltist. It is unbelievably nice. The 20H will hold 240-250 yards of 65 lb PowerPro if you wind it on nice and tight. The 30H is wider, but how much braid do you need?

[jimmy z]

I use 6500's. 7000's, a 20sha and others. At the tail end of the season, I had bought an Okuma Contura 203, with a variable mag.
Dial mag, better than a slider, IMO.
I've used the 525GS, no mag, and did well. But this little Contura seems like it will get some action this season. I'm not big on mags, but it is what it is.

[5/0]

The 400 seems a bit to small for me in the sense of Canal application,I just see this reel as a pitching reel from a boat,JMO.
My 700 is going into it's 10 year and has been a reliable reel at the canal .I've used this reel for jigging,plugging & drifting eels I have also used it out on the back beach I found it effective for casting further distance with larger plugs in the 3+ oz.when spinning couldn't get it done.
The only thing I've changed is mono to braid and poles, for eight years I ran the 700 on a Loomis 1265C10.5' this fit the Bill for many years but it was a meat stick so I put the 700 on a St.Croix Avid Surf100MH and a 700TE on the Loomis seems to be a successful swap.
Maybe it's me,but I don't understand the "to big for all around use" I know it's all preference and what works for one may not work for the other Guy but the 700 IMHO is no way to big for all around


Bob

[beaver]

I use an abu 7000 in the ditch, pair with a 10' custom. From the boat I use an abu 6500 on an 8' musky rod which handles 2-2.5 oz plugs fine but wouldn't go any higher. Both are lefty crank, which was a big reason for choosing an abu, but both have been going strong for 5 years or so.

[bassballer]

Thanks for the insight 5/0. Ive had this reel sitting around for a while and want to put it to use this year. I just dont get to use it often as 70% of the time im going swimming. But this is the year I will team it up with a rod and use it.

[Saltheart]

I bought a original Calcutta 700 when they chnaged the model to having a letter after it. I also thought it was too big for surf fishing.