Magged conventional reel recomendation?

[Nebe]

look no further than an abu 6500 cs chrome rocket. durable, beautiful and super easy to control.

I have a 6500 cs Mag elite and I got to tell ya that the rocket is far easier for me to cast.

I think magnets are over rated if your going to use a level wind.

[numbskull]

My impression is that magnets are a gimmick. Obviously they have some benefit for tournament casters who throw aerodynamic weights at vicious spool speeds and need something smoother than their thumb, but throwing bulky plugs into variable winds requires you use your thumb and it doesn't take long to master. The standard controls on a reel (centrifugal weights and spool end tension) work well once set up right, your rod (which should unload slowly) and casting stroke (which can't include a wrist snap at the end) also make things easier.
Loads of good casting reels out there. Any Shimano, Diawa, or Abu will do fine. The Calcuttas are my prefered reel (and I've worn out several Abus as well), but a lower end Shimano or ABU 6500 is a good starting point. There is little or no difference in casting ability between expensive and cheaper reels in any top manufacturers line. You rod choice is much more important. My advice is to learn on a 7-8ft muskie rod first, throwing plugs on the upper end (or above) its weight range, before expecting to master the greater velocities generated by a full sized surf rod.

[t.orlando]

Learn with mono first, cheaper and easier to get backlashes out. If you have to mag a real just to fish, I think the reel is a poor choice. Like Numby said, there are enough controls on reel already to adjust for a proper cast.

[1dozenraw]

Well, first I am no expert, but blow ups are getting fewer and fewer. I find that I can go for an hour or two with zero backlashes and then I'll get a little full of myself, back off on the control and really try for the max distance and BANG-FLUFF_DAM! blowup.

I started with a 6500C3 and mono. Great reel, easy to learn on. But now I have a bunch of reels and they are all pretty good. I like the black 6500 Big Game, I like my Tica Caiman CA200 and I just picked up a Calcutta 400B. I have heard great things about them Had to see. I think with practice they can all be easy to control. However, I am not sure about dunking... no as good as an old 704 for sure. I really believe that developing good smooth casting skills is the main the best solution to blow ups. And that means practice. I know when I just relax and don't try for maximum distance, I have less problems and my distance is just fine.

The Penn 525 Mag is well thought of in the non-level wind department.

[eelman]

Calcutta 400..start with the best..

[stripadan]

Start with an ABU 6500 size with 20 pound mono. Easiest reel to learn with, no mags needed. Had my son casting one in less than ten minutes with decent distance. Also use a decent line, cheap line will cause problems. Big Game mono is available everywhere and cheap enough if you need to cut it all off while learning.

I have 5 or 6 of them. For the surf I matched mine with a 10' Ben Doerr with 9 inches cut off tip. This rod is rated to 3 ounces, but only comfortable with tip cut, stock was better with 2-2 1/2 oz. I

I also have a 10' Tsunami stock rated to four ounces. This rod is a great matchup for the 6500 or 7000 narrow. With 20 pound mono, it handles plugs to at least three oz. and eels. For larger plugs I go up to my heavier tackle, but I think it would handle 4 comfortably.

A lot of guys here like the Tica rod line-up also. Haven't used so can't comment. You can get a decent outfit for under 200 bucks.

I'm not convinced that the Calcutta is the best reel. The drag IS better, but you can get two Abu's for the price of one Calcutta. Don't go with the Abu Morrum, you will be disappointed. The Calcutta has a better drag, but the new Abu drags are good, or if you get an older reel you can put Smoothie Drags in it.

[Mike P]

The Penn 525 Mag is an excellent reel and is still made here in the US. It doesn't have a level wind, and if you think you need a mag to be able to use a conventional, it probably isn't the reel for you.

The Abu 6500 series are great casting reels, but they were designed to fish 15# mono. Their frames can twist and torque with a good fish on. It used to be the case that you could never get enough drag pressure on the line to cause this, but with better drags now available, and braid, it can happen. I've had it happen. All of a sudden the spool kind of locks in place for a second or two until you drop the rod and release some of the torque. The one piece machined frame of the Calcutta is stronger. It's a better reel. Whether it's worth the price is your call.

[eelman]

I have put a calcutta 400 though the paces at every turn for many years..They are the best all around conventional reel an the market bar none! everyone who I know that uses one falls in love...The reel is simply bullet proof..Abu's? I have used my share in the past there is no way I would say they are even close..But its like anything else, use what you like. If you ask me I would always say the calcutta until something better comes along, that has not happened yet

Of course you can all argue the point with me in person tonight at the to cold event...LoL

Just remember! No punches to the Stomach please!