Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: koifish on September 27, 2012, 05:35:50 PM
-
which baitcaster would be good? i mostly fish vedder and fraser thats about it for salmon which baitcaster reel would be good and the price thanks!
-
The Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 6500 or 6600 C4 is a good entry level reel. There are ample spare parts available, and they are pretty durable. They handle both mono and braided lines very well. If you can find someone who will let you try a couple out, think hard about whether you want right-handed or left-handed retrieve. My father and I are both right handers, but we have come to prefer left handed reels since it allows you to cast and begin your retrieve without switching hands, and it leaves our strong right arms to hold the rod and fight the fish.
-
I started with an Abu 6500 c3 and it served me well. Worm gear eventually went but that was an older model and I dipped in the Fraser a couple times. :P my dad still runs an Abu and likes it. I have had 3 including a C4. I would say if you are going to use it both in the Fraser and systems like the Vedder go with the C3. The C4 can burn out after too many springs burn out line on the Fraser
I recently moved up to a Shimano Calcutta 400 B and it is worth the money, but like the last poster suggested, really consider whether you like left or right. I wish my Calcutta was left hand retrieve.
Calcutta is usually around $230-$260
ABU C3 IS $135 or so at Fred's.
Buy Canadian if you can, but if you can't Wal-Mart in the state's sells it for $97.99.
-
I started with an Abu 6500 c3 and it served me well. Worm gear eventually went but that was an older model and I dipped in the Fraser a couple times. :P my dad still runs an Abu and likes it. I have had 3 including a C4. I would say if you are going to use it both in the Fraser and systems like the Vedder go with the C3. The C4 can burn out after too many springs burn out line on the Fraser
The C4 has a faster retrieve, but the freespool button is in an annoying place (across the spool). Whenever I fish with my dad's reel I always accidentally push the freespool button. My C3 makes me happy.
I'm sure that whatever burned out on your C4 can be replaced.
-
Lower end Abu series are very nice and affordable reels can't beat it for the price very reliable can't go wrong
-
I'm sure that whatever burned out on your C4 can be replaced.
It didn't happen to mine, but this is what I was told by the guys in the tackle shop when I bought my C4.
-
hi i have a baitcaster but i dont know if its a good one tho
mr.bigfish south bend 2 ball bearings gear ratio 4.8:1 thats the baitcaster anybody know this one?
-
+1 for the Abu 6500 got my first one this season and liked it a lot so far. Perform well on both fresh and saltwater (beach)
-
Just looked it up. Couldn't find much about it. If this is it, then it is a spinning reel not a baitcasting reel.
chatham-kent.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-sporting-goods-exercise-fishing-camping-outdoors-Mr-Big-Fish-W0QQAdIdZ407627758
-
its a baitcaster i have it at home i found it in my garage
-
You can always try it and replace it if it fails. Not sure what the line capacity on that one is but that's more of a concern if you're casting a mile on the Fraser and get into a spring.
-
Shimano Calcutta 400/400TE
Diawa Luna 300
Shimano Curado 300E/300DSV
All work well for all waters in the Lower Mainland. Calcutta holds the most line, Luna is next and Curado holds the least so I use each for different fisheries.
Calcutta has held 30lb springs and chum in the Fraser and Harrison systems
Luna is excellent for sockeye, smaller springs, chum and steelhead
Curado is excellent for steelhead and coho (and pinks)
-
what about this one?
Daiwa M-S300 Millionaire S Series Baitcasting Reel
M-S300
DAI-0145 XH - H 2+1 5.1:1 10.3 310/12
260/14
190/20
76$ plus tax also shipping
-
I use the Curado 301E left handed the righty is the 300. Its a work horse and can take abuse. I have 275 yards of Power Pro on mine (30lb). The drag system is super smooth. Ive been told by other fishers that it is to light of a reel but have yet to be proven wrong. I like the low profile design it fits in the palm of my hand.
-
I've got an entry level Shimano reel - the Corvalus 400. I'm actually new to bait-casting reels so I don't know if it's me or the reel but I've been having a heck of a time with birds nests! ??? I've just read on another thread that this may be because there is too much line so I'm going to try taking some off and see if that improves the ratio of good/bad casts for me. I'll report back but for now I would say be wary when purchasing this reel. (to qualify this, I am also a rookie so keep that in mind!)
-
I use the Curado 301E left handed the righty is the 300. Its a work horse and can take abuse. I have 275 yards of Power Pro on mine (30lb). The drag system is super smooth. Ive been told by other fishers that it is to light of a reel but have yet to be proven wrong.
Too light of a reel? maybe for sturgeon ;) I prefer smaller reels too, I use an even smaller Calcutta 200 as an all-rounder and it has landed all manner of fish without too much problem. If I was specifically targetting big springs, I go a size up but having much lighter and easier handling reel makes a days fishing much more enjoyable, IMHO
I've got an entry level Shimano reel - the Corvalus 400. I'm actually new to bait-casting reels so I don't know if it's me or the reel but I've been having a heck of a time with birds nests! ??? I've just read on another thread that this may be because there is too much line so I'm going to try taking some off and see if that improves the ratio of good/bad casts for me
I think that other thread is referring to spinning reels, so may not be relevant to your case. Where in your cast are you getting backlash? Use your thumb more to control to freespool throughout the cast and tighten up the cast control setting to help prevent over-runs. You'll lose a bit of distance at first until you get used to it.
-
Look into a Shimano Cardiff. They are reasonabley inexpensive and are solid reels. I have a cardiff 301 and love it
-
Too light of a reel? maybe for sturgeon ;)
I think that other thread is referring to spinning reels, so may not be relevant to your case. Where in your cast are you getting backlash? Use your thumb more to control to freespool throughout the cast and tighten up the cast control setting to help prevent over-runs. You'll lose a bit of distance at first until you get used to it.
Thanks for this - you're right, I've posted in the wrong section. As far as your question and comment, I'm getting backlash almost every time I cast with little or no weight. When I have a heavy enough spoon or have a properly weighted rig it seems to be fine. In the first instance, I start getting backlash/birdsnest when the spoon is about halfway between me and the water.
I guess it's as you say and I just need more practice with my thumbs. The problem has been distance, as I can't seem to get it out very far unless I back my thumb right off. Of course, that's when the over-run happens. Ergh! Sounds like I need to go out and practice.
Thanks again for the advice.
Matt
-
Thanks for this - you're right, I've posted in the wrong section. As far as your question and comment, I'm getting backlash almost every time I cast with little or no weight. When I have a heavy enough spoon or have a properly weighted rig it seems to be fine. In the first instance, I start getting backlash/birdsnest when the spoon is about halfway between me and the water.
I guess it's as you say and I just need more practice with my thumbs. The problem has been distance, as I can't seem to get it out very far unless I back my thumb right off. Of course, that's when the over-run happens. Ergh! Sounds like I need to go out and practice.
Thanks again for the advice.
Matt
just tighten your drag. you're drag could be really loose, and if you're not use to casting these reels you can get a backlash real easy. Just tighten you're drag to the point where your rig just falls. Should help you out quite a bit. helped me when first learning how to cast these kind of reels. Once you've mastered casting you can set your drag as loose as you want and cast effortlessly for distance.
-
Is it not the "cast control" and not "drag" he'd need to tighten? If it was the drag he'd tighten, it'd do nothing in free spool mode, if he'd tighten the cast control, that'd control the spool which would then let the right barely fall as you state.
-
Is it not the "cast control" and not "drag" he'd need to tighten? If it was the drag he'd tighten, it'd do nothing in free spool mode, if he'd tighten the cast control, that'd control the spool which would then let the right barely fall as you state.
just thought it was obvious he knew i was talking about the tension knob for the spool. as setting the drag for the breaking system doesnt cause birds nest or have anything to do with the cast.
set your tension on the spool where the weight just barely falls, and you be casting like a pro in no time
happy? ;D
-
Thanks Jump and Salmon,
Appreciate the help - I did know what you were talking about but it never hurts to clarify.
-
I have a Shimano Cardiff that I can let you have for a good price. It's a 400A. 4-5 yrs old and maintained yearly by Mike's in Abby.
Let me know if you are interested.
-
witch model is it? thanks
-
witch model is it? thanks
400A (Right Hand). $50 and it's sold or $40 and a secret fishing spot.
-
I use a shimano curado, the low profile reels are perfect. The curado series I believe have just lowered the price, last I checked you can pick up a low end model for 150.
-
I love using low profile reels for smaller rivers, but now that I fish a CP unless I'm fly fishing, I only use them for throwing spoons and spinners. Abu Garcia makes a few OK ones for a good price, but Shimano has some really good low profile reels. I like a lower gear ratio because I don't like slow retrieves. If jigging a spoon (or swinging it) or a curly tail, low profile reel allow me to retrieve and jig with my index finger and fish with one hand most of the run. Also allowes me to have better casting and line control, doesn't take as much a toll on your arm as biggest bait casters.
For larger baitcasters, I own 2 Luna 300's, great reels, but now that I do not fish the Fraser they just collect dust. I only use them for bar fishing occasionally, but there are far better rivers to catch springs with no crowds. Smooth casting but you get tired casting them a lot, especially bottom bouncing.