conventional suggestions

[Finaddict]

Jeremy -

As for line, some people talk about using braid in their conventionals ... not sure the advantage, as if you ever knew Mike Batta, the former Berkley rep and a great caster of conventional gear, he commented that there was no advantage to using braid, so I have not switched over. You are bound to get snarls with your line as you are learning, and even when you have the time under your belt, if you don't pay attention you can still get tangles.

But pitching a plug on a conventional is fun, and you can haul them a country mile ...

... as I mentioned previously, I replaced my Daiwa with a Penn International 975 ... it casts great, but I don't like using it for plugging, doesn't do the job for me and I never use it. I won't give it up but just look to the Abus or the Calcutta first, or the new Shimano mentioned above ... could be a great starting reel at a decent price.

Andy

[nightfighter]

So what don't you like about the Penn Intl 975? I am curious as I have a 965 which I offered to doc to take out for a trial......

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by Finaddict

Jeremy -

As for line, some people talk about using braid in their conventionals ... not sure the advantage, as if you ever knew Mike Batta, the former Berkley rep and a great caster of conventional gear, he commented that there was no advantage to using braid, so

[Finaddict]

Originally Posted by nightfighter

So what don't you like about the Penn Intl 975? I am curious as I have a 965 which I offered to doc to take out for a trial......

Ross - A couple of things I am not hot about on the 975, but before I get into those, I will say that they are a smooth casting reel and I can get some great distance. I also like the big handle.

Those aside, I don't feel like it's sturdy enough ... the release button gets in my way when I am working plugs ... I have made some modifications to how I work the plugs, but then I don't get the action I typically like ... but I also feel sometimes it doesn't feel like it is holding up when I am moving it back and forth to put action into a pencil ... it's fine for working the pencils or spooks real slow, but I don't always want to work them slow. Especially if I am casting into fast moving water with a lot of white water ... the Daiwa reel never had a problem, was always on the ball ...

I think the reel would be awesome for jigging and other stuff, just not the plugging I like ... it's been a while, I will show it to you sometime either from the boat or down on the shore ... where I can easily stow it in my car ...

[1dozenraw]

Originally Posted by Flaptail

I have used most every conventional type reel available starting back in the 70's with the old Penn 146 Squidders.

In the last two seasons I have purchased two reels that I like more than any others I have ever used.

The first was a Cabo 40 conventional with line guide which has the smoothest drag I ever encountered, casts 400 plus with a 3.5 oz polaris but is a bit fussy with maintenance.

Then I bought a Shimano Tekota 600. Both reels are loaded with 50lb. Stealth braid but the Shimano, right out of the box with no mods is the best distance casting conventional I ever used, hands down.

It will go 450 plus with a loaded 7 inch Cotton Cordell pencil and beyond that with a 3.5 oz slab jig like a Crippled Herring. Minimal backlash (actually rare) great drag and easy maintenance.

I use these reels on ten foot JK Fisher rods with std. casting SIC guides.

Hard to believe but true and for a 160.00 great deal. I fished that reel ultra hard last year and she still looks new and runs like a champ.

Don't be fooled by high prices, the Shimano Tekota is the real deal.

How does the Tekota compare with the Calcutta 400 series for reliability, and casting? How about the Saltists?