REEL CHOICES!

[Striper SniperX]

Yes, Bill i know

like i said, i changed my mind about 10 times on the type of reel i want <spinning or baitcast>

everyone says go with the Abu Garcia 6500 (conventional)
But some say go with the Spinfishers'

I want maximum distance i can get, but don't want backlashes

you guys think if i practice all early spring, down at my local pond, casting/ untangeling i could get the hang of it before big fishing starts?

I know how to use one (used a baitcast in freshwater) but it wasn't round and had the thumb press,, the abu's i seen you have to push in the button on the side..

i'll figure it out.

Spinfisher or Abu for Max Distance?


thanks guys,
Mike

[capndave]

Mike,

FYI...The Shimano BTR "B" series is offered in three different sizes/weights.
3500B, 4500B and 6500B.
Offhand I can't remember the exact weights of each, but being graphite bodies, they're lighter than similarly sized metal bodied reels and certainly lighter than the big Z's.

Dave

[Christian]

if you lived closer i could teach you in five seconds. seriously, its that easy. all you need to know are the basics, find someone near you to show you how. once you get a feel for it you do it without thinking. i taught my friend this year, and in about a week he went out and bought an abu. he got backlashes but thats what happens. i basically never get backlashes, never. once in a while ill be stupid and just try heaving something tiny and ill get one, but im NASTY at getting backlashes out and have em out in like 3 seconds. the first day i got my adu i was casting farther than i ever though i could, and i looked good doing it next to the guy holding the spinning reel upside down. if i ever take a trip to rhode island ill teach you, its WICKED easy. dont just limit practice casting to water, you might look like a fool doing it on a football field but you can learn quick that way. start out with heaveir things than usual with less drag, say a 4oz bank sinker to practice with. anyways youll look so much cooler with your abu than the guys with spinners. except the guys with van stalls, theyre cool too.

[Striper SniperX]

yeah but are they made for just baiting or can you get away with tossing a plug out there or will that 'hurt' the reel? are they good casters?

i'd like a reel that will take care of 3 things

1- Plugs/soft plastics
2- cut baits/ live hearing/ small eels (ONCE IN A GREAT WHILE)
3- Just be able to last me a while, and cast over the breaking surf, and far

please keep 'em coming, i amost made my choice...


thanks,
Mike

[Striper SniperX]

Originally posted by Christian
anyways youll look so much cooler with your abu than the guys with spinners. except the guys with van stalls, theyre cool too.

LOL.... they are cool-- and lucky... maybe when i am older- have a REAL job and i get a bonus i'll grab one of them Van Staals i like the Shimano Stella also (checked one out at the EBA show) S-M-O-O-T-Hest thing i ever felt... i like the look of the STELLA better then the VS but the VS looks like it can take more of a salt bath & surf beaten


I think i'll give the ABU a shot

What model is the best for me? under $100.?

I want 20 # line



thanks,

Mike

[Christian]

i cast everything w/ my abu. here we go : plugs mostly, everything from poppers to swimmers, Lots and lots of plastics, i also do alot of chunk clamming, chunks in general. eels, bunker, herring, everything.
i have two rods for my 6500, a heavy but short 7ft fenwick that handles 1-4oz, origionally a musky rod that cost me $120 a few years ago, came with liftime guarantee and i have already replaced it once. and my 7 ft schoolie rod that cost 20 dollars and is one of my favorites after i fixed it up is a copperhead rod
3/4- 1 3/4. i have no problem casting the 7ftrs. sure i could probally get better distance and have longer leaders with a longer rod but i dont have the money and i am 100% satisfied with what i have now.
go with an abu 6500. youll be happy. a 6500 goes for $65 today, right?

[Striper SniperX]

$65. for the cheap/basic 6500 probably.

I have $100. that i can slap towards a reel, so i'll get the best one w/ what i got- probably the most expensive (but under 100) Abu.

Hey Christian, i'm in that Driver-Ed now; 5th time going, only about 8 more to go to... pretty hard, they make ya right about 4 pages of stuff you would never need to really know when driving a car, like "how much alcohal is in a pint of 80 proof wiskey?" how long does it take alcohal to affect the body, how long does it take to rid? etc etc etc... i'm not going to drink anyways, i think it smells, and it looks stupid when ya fallin down all over the place...- lol... PEPSI for me

your right, they made us watch a video of busted up people and cars, and pictures of fatal crashes...

I Legally drive in August... LOOK OUT ALL SAND SLEDS, LET'S SEE WHAT THIS JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE OF MINE CAN DO ON THE BEACH ...... MAYBE you guys should follow me incase i get stuck

Already thinking what kind of rod racks i want on it

Please keep them tips coming, you all have answered so many questions so far-- i am pretty much set.... still need to know if it's okay to use a spinning reel for a month or two on a conventional custom rod, till i save up for the abu ??? it won't break, will it?


what's the best 6500 abu out there? i get confused cause there is like 10 different 6500 abu models... would i be better off with an upgrade to a Abu 7000?? what models?

thanks alot
-Mike

[Striper SniperX]

registered for Ebay. looked around- ALOT of abu 6500's

there is so many abu 6500's- what model is the BEST for surf fishing, but under $100. ?

C3? CT ? I dunno too many models to know what to choose.

ALOT of them have Level-Wind. like a few of the 6500 c3 have L/W-- doesn't that restrict maximum casting distance? or is it GOOD to have a Level wind?

the 7000's are more expensive, but incase i go that route: what Abu 7000, AND 6500 models do ya reccomend for surf fishin' plugs,Soft plastics with the occasional eel or herring here or there


ALOT of good deals on spinfishers also, here is a NICE looking 6500ss and i think the minimum bid/reserve was already passed!
Grab it, i would....

http://cgi.aol.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI...category=11728

if the link don't work, it's the last one on the page; using "Penn 6500ss" as a Search keyword.......looks awsome

thanks,
Mike

[JohnR]

Hey SSX - you've asked a variation of this question 83 times "I have $100. that i can slap towards a reel, so i'll get the best one w/ what i got- probably the most expensive (but under 100) Abu."

I know I've replied 10 times between posts & PMs to this: 6500TCST. It's a C4 with a power handle and a striper logo (well - different logos depending on where it's sold). Less than $90 + $7 for Smoothie Drag washers. NOT FOUND at SPORTS AUTHORITY (fishing authority they're not), KMART, WALMART, SEARS, none of these non-fishing stores. They are only found at select top ABU retailers, meaning tackle shops that both know their chit AND chose to carry this reel and other better ABU reels...

"like i said, i changed my mind about 10 times on the type of reel i want <spinning or baitcast>" 10 times per day you should have said ... This is what I'll reccomend for you. Get a decent spinning outfit first. Get comfortable fishing the bigger stuff first, then add the more complicated conventional after. This way when, not if, you backlash BEYOND repair - you're not done fishing...

[mrmacey]

im looking for a nice reel under 50.00 any suggestions lol!!! good morning!!!! only kidding with ya!!! sitting here drinkin coffee got work today driving limo yea!!!!

[Striper SniperX]

i got it.

"10 times a day"
Now that i look at it, no not really. i'm not being as picky and difficult as i am reputated for

i made a simple list: 704z, 55/6500ss or the Abu.

thanks to you guys....
I narrowed it down to: 55/6500ss or the Abu.

I already made my mind up on the rod, hope saltheart finds a 9' blank for me over there this-weekend

John, if i'm having a custom rod built- i don't want to buy a spinner and then switch over to the abu over time..to buy ANOTHER rod..unless of course- the rod can be used for both?? (BUT mostly baitcast?)
i'll keep my shakepeare reel in the truck when surf fishing.. incase i get a backlash from hell during a blitz, i can switch reels with a snap... good idea?
but i think, why should i hold off and buy a spinner? you have to learn sometime.....the spinner isn't going to make me better at untangeling backlashes i THINK i will buy the Abu 6500....unless i change my mind again <kidding>

John, you haven't been in the SA on bald hill road lately- have you? ISLES AND ISLES of QUALITY (some non-quality) rods/reels/tackle. a whole showcase of reels. they DO have abu's....not sure if they have that model.

S.A. is good, bought my 'Yak and waders over there..speaking of waders; i got hodgman stocking foot neoprenes......will i die in the summer time in these things? thinking of exchanging them for the same priced breathables ($99.99) not the best, but prob not the worse..good idea?? i have Felt Sole wading shoes with GOOD gravel guards, think these things will help me when walking on rocks?

bak on topic, abu 6500
would quaker lane b&t carry this thing.? Ericksons B&t ?... probably not getting it till around late march



Thanks for all the help.

-Mike

[Striper SniperX]

Originally posted by mrmacey
im looking for a nice reel under 50.00 any suggestions happy:

LOL .... hey now- i'm not THAT bad am i ? at least i say what i want

and 50 bucks? c'mon now! $50 is talking sand grinding salt crunching reels....i'll spend the extra 40 .....

i'm not over reacting, or over posting/talking like i used to am i ?

just looking for some help so i don't buy the wrong thing...

thanks

[JohnR]

Mike - seriously - I've been to the Bald Hill SA and many others. Sure the reels are the same for the most part but the rods are generally crap. I went in there less than 9 months ago and I checked out literally 50 rods, I found only a couple that were splined right and they still had lousy components for the most part. Even the "Good" rods, the ones which advertised Fuji guides and graphite blanks were really pretty bad. SA has some of the reels but not all and not the one I mention to you. It's just not available to them.

There are some good off the rack rods but you can't get them at SA or any of the "Marts". It just doesn't happen and I'm being very sincere when I say that. The Daiwa Sealine's are pretty decent people say, the factory Lami's, St Croixs, & Loomis rods are pretty good too (maybe not ad good as one taylored to you custom). The off the shelf Ugly Sticks (great blanks) are not well built.

Now you can get 965/975 Penns at SA (at higher prices than what CCT has them for) and you can get Calcutta 400 reels at the same price as everyone else (price fixing by Shimano). But you DON'T get the knowledge that a good shop has. You don't go into a SA (or the 'Marts) and ask to upgrade the stock drag's with smoothies - they'll try to sell you some Costa Del Mar's instead. They just don't know and the rare one that does can't help you like a good shop can.

Just being honest with you on this. I've bought rods from these places, then I bought custom, and now I build my own. I'm a decent judge of quality and know a little about what I'm talking about and 95% of SA's rods S U C K . The boat rods, they do a little better on (harder to screw up) but any of the coastal/surf rods are pretty lousy.

I wish you would believe me on this because I'm very sincere about what I'm telling you here...

just looking for some help so i don't buy the wrong thing...

This is exactly the advice I'm trying to give you.

Same with getting spinning first and then moving to conventional (you'll often use the spinner - imagine if you get a GF this summer that wants to fish - what'll you do then - you like girls, right? JK

[Bill L]

SSX, Cape Cod Tackle has the reel John recommended on their web site, link on the front page. $84.95, and he will ship. Also, I bet Weeakapaug B&T carries it as well, link on front page. These guys are SPONSORS here, and help keep the lights on so you can get all these answers to your questions. You will be LUCKY if you FIND what you want at Sports Authority, because the salesmen have no clue. You may save a couple of dollars, but those guys do NOT carry bait, fix your broken reels or rods, or go out of their way to help you with what you need.

[Striper SniperX]

wow, thanks alot john... think that answered my questions

"imagine if you get a GF this summer that wants to fish - what'll you do then - you like girls, right? JK "

Did i NOT say Fish-on was good for other then the fishin' OF COURSE! and what's with all this "IF" stuff??

Matoonoc...thanks, that answered my next question "WHERE" thanks alot!!

John, i know what ya mean...that's why i'm saving up for a custom rod; i'm not kidding around. or toying around, i get my Bday money soon...Hope salt has everything by then aww the pride of a rod built just for me.....can't wait.
(salt: i hope ya just don't re-wrap a $ 15. fishmaster rod and tell me it's a custom- just to shut me up , LOL <just kidding> i can't wait to see it....

thanks john/ everyone for helping me make my choices...i owe yas one.

Final Choice:
Abu 6500 on one of Salt's Custom Rods....and if i find a cheap 55/6500ss on Ebay i'll "slap" that on my current rod...all set

Okay, Next Question, what line do i use?what hooks?what leaders? what/who/when/why/how???? (JUST-KIDDING)

thanks for all your help!


-Mike

[bloocrab]

hey you!!

..don't be putting a spinner on a conventional rod!!! eye-y-eye-y-eye!!!...

..and if you REALLY like this SPORT, yes - its' a sport ....don't even begin to think about owning just 1 rod!!!!.....whassamatta fa U ?? Haven't you been listening?? <<no joke!>>

[Striper SniperX]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by bloocrab
[B]hey you!!

"..don't be putting a spinner on a conventional rod!!! eye-y-eye-y-eye!!!..."
I'm guessing it has something to do w/ the eyes of the rod ???

"whassamatta fa U ??"
can you translate that, i don't speak BlooCrabinese


one rod? i gotta bunch of rods...only 3 sutable for surf tho.....the rest are sweetwater rods

Surf:
9' S/B Kwik Stik, 8' Shakespeare alpha custom, and that 7'6" shakespeare Bigwater i never use. but only one is ready to fish w/ reel (alpha)... that will be my extra spinner

and the saltheart custom/abu will be my.....ah...main OUTFIT


seen the abu at C.C.T.com that's the one i'll buy---not for a while tho.


thanks!

Mike

[Striper SniperX]

Abu Garcia Ambassadeur TROPHY, 6500TSCT from cape cod tackle...


that's the one.....i hope?

pic below..

Mike

[JohnR]

..don't be putting a spinner on a conventional rod!!! eye-y-eye-y-eye!!!...

Spinning reels are not for use on conventional rods, you'll get all kinds of line twists & fouls and more...

Conventionals can technically go on spinners but there are problems there too.

[Christian]

if you want to buy the reel now but cant afford the custom rod or a good rod, just do what i did. go out to one of those crappy stores where the guys working there dont know what they are talking about, wallmart, mvp a.ka. decathalon sports, and pick up a cheapo heavy freshwater bass rod. i picked through about a million of these things till i found one that was right and still had to take it home and fix it up. it cost me 20 dollars but today its one of my favorites. its my soft plastic rod.

by the way get the c3 6500, i dont think you necessarily need the smoothies but ive been meaning to get them for myself for a while.

have you ever heard of Galyands? theres one on the north shore up here and they have some of the best service. might check them out if they're near you.

[Striper SniperX]

christian, I have a bunch of rods in great working condition; i would use one before i went out and bought another one..

It's not that i can't afford 'em.. cause i'm getting all kinds of Birthday money from family, that will pay for the Custom Rod.

then i suppose i can beg my parents for a Abu 6500

and i have my shakespeare alpha custom w/ reel as a second outfit

I can't wait to haul in a couple of 50s from the suds with that outfit (i hope!)


I got it john/bloo... i wont put the spinner on there as a short term substatute---I'll just use my current rod untill then, i'll wait till i get the Abu till i fish the Custom.


I think i am all set ><(((">

thanks for all your valuble help...all..

Mike

[Young Salt]

Originally posted by Matoonoc
I don't have any experience with one, but I did fondle one in a tackle shop this fall, and it looked like a good rod

Note to self; Stay away from matoonoc while in the tackle shop.

[Bill L]

HEY, that was uncalled for!!!