Conventional Setup Advise

[Clogston29]

I'm looking to get my first conventional setup this winter and I'm looking for some advise. I've never fished conventional before. I'm looking for a set up for fishing 1.5 - 3 oz lures and eels since that's what I mainly fish so I'll get the most oppurtunities to get used to it. If I end up really liking conventionals, I'll get a heavier setup later. I'm thinking about a 1202L (I really want a two piece because this is a rod that will end up being left in my truck and only fished on shorter walks until I really get the hang of it) and an abu reel. The reel is what I'm looking for the most advice on. I'm looking to spend around $150 or so and based on the little that I know I was thinking about a 6500 size. The model is the real question. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. The ones made in Sweden are the best ones right? Thanks for any input.

[Nebe]

look on ebay for a used 6500 cs mag or mag elite. they are hard to find, but they are out there. I absolutly love mine. you can throw one ounce stuf up to giant pikies with this reel.
yes, made in sweeden is the best.

the sports mag is another option, but ive never used one so i cant comment.

if your starting out, make sure you get a level wind.(in abu speak, thats CS )

[spence]

You can trust Nebe, he's a die hard conventional guy from way back



There was a guy selling blem Chrome Rockets on EBY for a great price a while back. Not a mag but just as good.

-spence

[afterhours]

i've gotten away from convench' for the most part but would never part with my 6500cs mag elite- great reel!

[Nebe]

Originally Posted by spence

You can trust Nebe, he's a die hard conventional guy from way back



There was a guy selling blem Chrome Rockets on EBY for a great price a while back. Not a mag but just as good.

-spence

just remember spence, i have taken more 20 lb bass in one night than in your entire bass fishing carrer how many other members are you going to insult today?

[Don M]

Abu just reinstated the original Big Game 6500 CL(leveleind) and CS(non-levelwing)Black Body. Best 6500 ever made for the salt. Also reinstated the Mag Elite and a few new issues, Custom Chrome Rocket georgeous reel and more models. We will have them in the shop in the next month or so.

Don M
King Cove Outfitters
www.kingcoveoutfitters.com

[Nebe]

Don, the CL is non-level wind and the CS is level wind. Thats good to hear, maybe i will come down and pick up a big game from you

[spence]

Originally Posted by Nebe

just remember spence, i have taken more 20 lb bass in one night than in your entire bass fishing carrer how many other members are you going to insult today?

I think I owed you one

-spence

[SocalStriper]

the 6500 is a good reel, but the drags are a little sticky.

spend a little extra and try out a Daiwa Millionaire CV-X msrp is 170 or the CV-Z is around 200

I have the cv-x 300 and it is awesome.

check ebay often.

here's a pic of the cv-z 300a:

[Clogston29]

Thanks for the replies guys. I got a pm that made me do some more research and now I'm leaning towards paying alittle more for the calcutta 400. Your thoughts? It seamed to get the nod over the abu in all the older posts that I searched.

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by Clogston29

I'm looking to get my first conventional setup this winter and I'm looking for some advise. I've never fished conventional before. I'm looking for a set up for fishing 1.5 - 3 oz lures and eels since that's what I mainly fish so I'll get the most oppurtunities to get used to it. If I end up really liking conventionals, I'll get a heavier setup later. I'm thinking about a 1202L (I really want a two piece because this is a rod that will end up being left in my truck and only fished on shorter walks until I really get the hang of it) and an abu reel. The reel is what I'm looking for the most advice on. I'm looking to spend around $150 or so and based on the little that I know I was thinking about a 6500 size. The model is the real question. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. The ones made in Sweden are the best ones right? Thanks for any input.

Others may disagree, but if you are new to conventional tackle I'd advise you to start out with something shorter than 10 feet and definitely avoid braid unless you own a tackle store. A 10 foot rod will develop spool speed that is hard to handle and backlashes with braid will result in a lost plug. If you boat fish, I'd start with a 7 foot medium action muskie rod, a standard 6500 or 400, and either 17 Lb Mono or 20 lb fireline. If you beach fish, a Lamiglas GLB108 is a nice parabolic rod that will handle plugs 1-3 oz and handle decent fish comfortably. A slower (and with graphite that's all relative) rod unloads more smoothly and will allow you to learn faster and more enjoyably. I own bigger Lamiglas, Kennedy fisher, and zziplex rods, and lots of different reels, but the little Lamiglas 108 that I built 20+ years ago with a calcutta 400 and 20lb fireline is the outfit I'd choose if I had to pick just one. One final note, when you start stick with aerodynanmic plugs and concentrate on keeping things smooth, don't try to add distance with an extra snap at the end of your stroke and if you are right handed, get a right handed reel. You will want to thumb the reel with your dominant hand.