Best Conventional Reel for a GSB 1201M - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

nightprowler · 11-07-2006, 09:35 AM

great thread!! im planning on the same thing this winter and i was wondering on a reel myself...
i have a friend who likes the quantum cabo series conventional, thoughts??

spence · 11-07-2006, 09:41 AM

Def get a levelwind. If you're drifting from shore I'd consider something with more capacity than a 6500, especially if you're going to use mono.

-spence

JohnR · 11-07-2006, 10:06 AM

Drifting in a B reachway with a 6500 and 20# mono is sufficient - did it for years. Not as nice as the cpapacity on a 7000 but sufficient. Once you go to braid you get more capacity or go to a 7000 size for more with Mono.

There are significant advantages to mono at a breachway...

Mike P · 11-07-2006, 10:10 AM

For casting eels, I think you'd be fine with the 6500 size Abus. Or a Calcutta. It could get a little dicey depending on how far you drift, if you're going to feed the snakes into the tide. I used to say you're better off stepping up to the 7000 size, but I'm not sold on the quality of the Taiwanese/Chinese Abus, and every 7000 size reel is now made in the Orient. Most if not all of the 6500 and smaller are still made in Sweden.

My choice would be the BG 6500 CL, or the Calcutta 400. 20# mono for starters. You can probably get 175 yards on there.

If the 6500 doesn't have the new Carbontex drag washers, definitely consider getting them. The stock drag on the 6500 reels is horrible. I know all of the new 7000 size reels come with the better drag, but I'm not sure about the 6500. The stock drag on the Calcutta is fantastic.

Daiwa has a reel that's similar to the Calcutta, too. I think they call it the Luna. Never used one, but every Daiwa reel I ever owned had a drag that couldn't be beat, right out of the box.

luds · 11-07-2006, 10:47 AM

Searching for them is confusing. There are so many and I haven't been able to match them to the reels recommended above. It's easy to find an abu 6500 or 7000 but every reel has cs, cl, etc. listed after that. What do they mean??????

I may just end up going with a Calcutta because It's easier..

chief10 · 11-07-2006, 11:07 AM

LD models have a lever drag system. CT models are non-level winds.

2 cents: get the level wind. if your throwing eels you won't need to throw them far.

JohnR · 11-07-2006, 11:07 AM

The 6500 Pro Rocket is essentially the same as a Mag Elite without the Mags (I'm 96% sure as I don't have a Rocket). The rocket has the longer "power" handle (comfortable on a 6500 but I just don't like on a calcutta). You need to buy the handle for the Mag Elite (comes with paddle handle). Both should have drags updated to Smoothie or Extreme Smoothies. Bearings can be upgraded to eramics or Abec 7 (abec 5 is standard)

The 7000 Rocket does not have a mag counterpart.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chief10

LD models have a lever drag system. CT models are non-level winds.

2 cents: get the level wind. if your throwing eels you won't need to throw them far.

Agree, and CS usually designates levelwind. So a 6500CT Mage Elite is a non-levelwind MagE and a 6500CS Mag Elite HAS the levelwind. A 6500CSPR is a levelwind pro rocket, and a 7000CTPR (if they make one - think they do) is no levelwind 7000 CT Pro Rocket - how is that for loosely consistent

Back Beach · 11-07-2006, 11:22 AM

Ludz,

The newell 229 is my recommendation. The new ones have metal spools, are well built and cast great. My partners refer to them as "coffe grinders." The reel has no level wind, but level winds are for sissies anyways,

they are like training wheels on a bike. Good drag on the newell too. You can try mine if you want this winter. Its a man's reel.

I am going to get a calcutta 400 te for next year, for special situations. That reel would be my second choice if I could only have one reel , reason being the capacity might be less than what you want if you plan on jigging the canal, but its a great surf reel.

piemma · 11-07-2006, 11:41 AM

I totall agree with Mike. I fished a Newell 229 on the Back for years and it was "bullet proof". I sold it last year to RI Rockhound for his father. I now fish 2 Calcutta 400s and they have been great.

5/0 · 11-07-2006, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luds48

I may just end up going with a Calcutta because It's easier..

Good choice;
I've been using the same Calcutta 700 for 7 years & had one bearing change out (6 years ago) my bad.....I think its a great depedable & goto reel,IMO I think with all of the mods on other reels it almost evens out with the cost of a Calcutta.

This winter I was thinking of getting another Shimano but this time thinking of a Trinidad 16.

Best of luck.

5/0

Clogston29 · 11-08-2006, 06:31 AM

5/0, The calcutta 700 (I love my 400) doesn't get many mentions here for surf use. Do you find the size to be an issue? I'm assuming that its very similar to a 7000 abu. Is it a little wider? I need to try one on a rod this winter and see how it feels.

JohnR · 11-08-2006, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clogston29

5/0, The calcutta 700 (I love my 400) doesn't get many mentions here for surf use. Do you find the size to be an issue? I'm assuming that its very similar to a 7000 abu. Is it a little wider? I need to try one on a rod this winter and see how it feels.

It is a little wider and not as tall. I dunnoh. It is smooth & precise like the 400 but it feels awkward and unbalanced when surf fishing....

5/0 · 11-08-2006, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clogston29

5/0, The calcutta 700 (I love my 400) doesn't get many mentions here for surf use. Do you find the size to be an issue? I'm assuming that its very similar to a 7000 abu. Is it a little wider? I need to try one on a rod this winter and see how it feels.

The 700 didn't get as many hits as the 400 did,I assumed he was looking to drift eels (in the Canal or a breach way Im not trying to be a wise a$$)on a convench.you can use it for eels,plugs & metals in the surf,I have and IM sure there are many others.

A 700 Is wider,weighs 19 oz.,holds more line,(than the mentioned reels)it has a solid once piece frame made out of A6 aluminum,smooth drag,tighter tolerances.ect.ect...I know it's wider than the Abu 7000 I don't find the size to be an issue,I guess I've grown to accept it.I have friends who speak highly of the Abu's they use them all the time & it's there goto conventional,me on the other hand,I don't know squat about them so I really can't comment.

I also want to state that this was my first conventional reel I owned & learned on,with this reel I can jig,plug & drift eels in the canal,
(any where)I think if you match this reel with the right stick I think you'll love it bar none!

5/0