Best Conventional Reel for a GSB 1201M

[spence]

There are a lot of variation on the 6500...I've got the levelwind Chrome Rocket.

It's pretty sweet

-spence

[SeaWolf]

you'll be best bet for throwing larger lures and handling fast rips and tides is an abu 7000 model, probably a 7000c3. the reels have not changed too much from model to model and thru the years. that says a lot. the reels a pretty much bullet proof w/ minor maintainence. just dont dunk the reel or let sand get into the spool and you are good. i've fished mine for over 15 years now and woudl still buy more for that purpose. the 6500 series is nice, but it has smaller components. again, it depends how you plan on fishing. the narrow width of the 6500 makes it harder to pick out an overrun when it does occur. the 6500 has less capacity than a 7000, but is a much faster reel. it can be a little harder to master.

your lure range and what you plan on throwing may dictate which one you should use. i've had a gsb1201m for years and that was the reel that was on it. matched perfectly.

[numbskull]

Can't go wrong with any of the reels mentioned, but I think a 6500 is too small a reel for a rod as powerful as a Lami 120 1m. Would do better on a 1L. The calcutta is equally small, but a stronger reel (that hates sand). The 7000 is better matched in the balls dept for the power of the rod, but the 7000 weighs more than I like. I've been very happy with Newells, probably a 229 or 235 for that size rod. Still, if you're unsure, the calcutta 400 is a very versatile reel to own, and you'd find something else to do with it if you eventually decide it is too small for the rod in question.