need advice , choosing a conventional setup

[crashfromamesbury]

looking to get into a conventional set up for ch#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&g my larger plugs.. 2.5 - 5.0 oz range..

dont' want to get into anything longer than 9 ft.. also looking for a recommendation for

a conventional reel.. heres the plan, i want to use 30-50lb power pro for casting plugs off jettys and other areas and just don't want to drag around a 10+ ft heaver..

whats your take.. what do you use.. and have you done any mods like ceramic bearings etc..

thanks
crash

ps.. i'll also let it be known i am not good with a conventional so i am looking for a reel with limited bells and whistles or an easy learning curve

[mikecc]

Abu 7000HSN reel with a Lamiglas 1363M cut down or a 1089 Rainshadow.

[fishweewee]

I find 9 feet too short to launch plugs.

My fav is an XRA 132-2 one piece with an Abu 7500 CT Big Game reel loaded with 25 lb. test mono. Sweet spot is 3-4 ounces.

-WW

[DaveS]

I'd go with what Mike said, sweet set up.

[Bawana]

the 1089 sounds Ok in graphite or a 121/3m or 4m cut down in glass.dont worry about ceremic bearing until you become proficient at thumbing spool. might try penn 525 mag or abu mag elite.this will help a lot with backlashes until you get used to conventional

[Stroth]

IMHO you are going to need two rods --- one for plugs to 3 oz. ---and one for plugs over 3 oz.

i've got a 1322 arra -- i built it myself---with some help from mike, and the boards. this is a great stick, believe all of the things you hear about it. i love mine! i've matched it with an abu 7000c3 and a abu 7000cl. Honestly, I like the 7000c3 the best. lighter

for the plugs over 3 oz --- an allstar 1209 might work, but it is a pool cue rod.

if you ever get a chance pick up arra's newer book. lots of great info on casting and he breaks down how to clean the abus.

i love abus!

OH----don't start out with braid on the conventionals go with mono---not if you backlash---when you backlash you'll pat yourself on the back!

Have fun ---- and remember---- EVERYONE BACKLASHES (once in a while)

[crashfromamesbury]

i got arra's book and have been reading it in detail..


saw the part on cleaning abu's glad i read it..


(because i decided to go thru my penn spinners.. yikes.. chewed

up main gear on my 750, what a mess.. just waiting on bucko's

to call me back regarding the parts.. )

thanks again..

i am really headed in the right direction..

[Tagger]

I like a levelwind for throwing plugs...I want to watch the plug and see what kinda action I'm getting..No level wind, you have to lay the line nice on the spool to set up for your next cast and you end up looking down at your spool too much . I'm using an Abu 7200 with ceramics and smoothies on an Xra 1322-2..not that its for everyone ..

[Stroth]

Tagger---

you're right on the smoothies...for the money I cannot see any reason not to upgrade any abu with them.

[fishweewee]

If you want to spend $20 a pop on a ceramic bearing, by all means, go ahead. Be careful, they are fragile. Don't force them into the reel.

For fishing, I find the ABEC 7 stainless bearings (at less than half the cost of the ceramics) to be perfectly sufficient for FISHING.

Do splurge on a bottle of yellow rocket fuel bearing lube!

Install Smoothies DRY, with the exception of the smaller plastic washer which goes beneath the main gear.

-WW

[Codfather]

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