I'm looking for a recommendation for a baitcaster reel throwing up to 3 oz jigs in saltwater. I'm currently using a Squidder 146 with 15lb Fireline, which I like for bottom-jigging fluke and black sea bass in NJ. The reason I'm looking for a baitcaster is that it helps to be able to cast yds out 30yds or so from the boat. With the 146, I don't have quite enough control to be comfortable lobbing out the jig, and tend to get little "yo-yo" backlashes. On an open bay, I'm good distance-casting the Squidder, but don't do well with the shorter casts from the boat.
The newer baitcast reels seem so advanced in cast control, lightness, line lay, crank speed, and drag strength -- but I don't have enough experience to choose a good one. I like conventional reels over spinners. Hoping the same reel might be useful for light surf fishing as well.
Is there anything I can find used for about $50. It doesn't need to be the latest & greatest.
Joe,
For $50, I think an older Ambassadeur might be a good option.
For something new, I've heard good things about the Abu Garcia Black Max (no personal experience with that one though).
Quote from: xjchad on August 02, 2019, 04:42:32 PM
Joe,
For $50, I think an older Ambassadeur might be a good option.
For something new, I've heard good things about the Abu Garcia Black Max (no personal experience with that one though).
Do the 6500's do well with casting light braid? I could probably go higher on price...
If you don't mind going vintage, the Ambassadeur 5000 series. I have a '73, plain 5000(no clicker) w/ 14 lb. Fireline(good stuff, huh?), easy to adjust/access the spool bushings, and the "2 pronged" centrifugal cast control. GOOD: only 1 nylon(?), bushing on crank shaft, rest except for knobs and drags= metal, surprisingly good caster w/ great control; lotsa used one's available and popular enough to have parts/aftermarket upgrades avalible; possibly remove levelwinder. BAD: small handle and dragstar; has levelwinder. I believe upgrades exist for the handle and dragstar and I know parts for the levelwinder are out there. Tough little reel. I'mina keep mine original, I've serviced it and may keep it as a shelfie, while I use the Abu Revo Toro Beast in place of it. Good luck Joe.
Whoa, Chad and I are on the same page, he's just faster!
I've got a 5000 and a 6000 that are loaded with 30# braid. They both cast like a dream! Either of those with CF drags would be sweet for seabass and fluke.
Mike
There you go Joe! ;D
Oh yeah, tip: I waited 'till I found one on da Bay, sold by a guy from the mid-west, i.e., no saltwater use! and it turned out to be in great shape.
Quote from: Decker on August 02, 2019, 04:57:24 PM
Do the 6500's do well with casting light braid? I could probably go higher on price...
The 5500 and 6500 will cast just about any line you can spool on them. We've fished those things succesfully with everything from super thin braid to 40lb. mono. Myself...I stay away from the really light braid...why cause yourself trouble? 30lb. braid is only the diameter of 8lb. mono.
That Black Max is a killer reel for the money. I see tons of them on fleabay for around $30. 8)
Decker, there are so many choices, but what I would go with in that price range is a nice used Daiwa Millionaire 6HM. It's like the Abu 6500 but with one-piece aluminum frame and 6 disk drag.
Or like Mo has posted about, a Kastking ;D
Thanks, guys!
One of the reasons I like using light braid is that it cuts through the water well, and works with lighter jigs in water 40-60 ft deep. The breaking strength of 14lb Fireline is not enough to anchor a boat, but does the job for the fish.
I'm going to look for an Abu. I may even try a lefty, because I like the idea of casting without changing hands.
What can you do with that Toro Beast Gregg?
P.S. That Daiwa Millionaire 6HM looks good too!
Quote from: Decker on August 02, 2019, 05:26:16 PMP.S. That Daiwa Millionaire 6HM looks good too!
There's a few other Daiwa Millionaire's with different model numbers like the Daiwa Millionaire II 6000 that are basically all the same, parts interchangeable.
The Toro Beast is alot of $$$
But I was serious about the Kastkings (Rover), they get great reviews for a cheap reel.
It's a Abu Garcia Revo Toro Beast. Casts like a dream, 1/2-2 oz., 40 lb. p. pro., with about 3 diffrent cast control mechanisms. The "big deal" for me, is the drag. It adjusts under a load on the line. I's surprised to find out that a typical star drag bait caster locks up at a given drag setting(lever drag too???)as long as there's pressure on the system. Not good if ya get a big'un up next to the boat with the drag pretty tight and it decides to exert that last bit of escape energy-----"SNAP!"
As Nelz say's they might still be cost prohibitive, as the new one's a couple a years ago were around $300.
I love the ABU 5000 and there are always a ton of used ones for sale cheap. However, modern low profile baitcasting reels with disengaging levelwind and more refined brakes will out-cast the ABU round reels and are more comfortable to palm. They seem to hold their value better too and you may not find one from a reputable brand in that price range. A good used Shimano low profile on ebay will often cost nearly as much as new and some discontinued models cost way more than they did new. The Shimano round reels like Calcutta hold their value well too and are never cheap.
Kastking has a low profile reel with all (or at least most) of the bells and whistles that can be bought NIB for about forty bucks.
-steve
Here is a Made in Sweden Abu 6001C Hi-Speed Lefty, Joe —
Perfect condition — only used in fresh water.
These have the larger handles.
If it would work for you, NC — still at the same address?
Best,
Fred
The Toro Beast is definitely cost-prohibitive for me, but I like hearing about it.
I have a righty Abu 6000 sitting at home that I should probably fix up and try first.
If I buy something, I'll look for a lefty.
Fred, I'm on the verge of tears! Let me think it over and get back to you. I wouldn't want to abuse your generosity. Thank you!
Steve, thanks for the breakdown. The disengaging spool is a good point. That's why I like my Sealine X30SHA so much.
I love Ambassadeurs but I recommend you take the time to educate yourself on the various series before you buy. My memory is a little foggy on this but it seems like there are several drag configurations within a series. For the ocean I like a 6500 because of the line capacity. Remember these reels have very tiny brass gears (compared to a squidder). If you hook something large you may need the extra line capacity. Also the 6500 has a clicker if you're inclined to use one while using bait. There are also some handle upgrades available for relatively cheap.
Digressing to the drag system. There is one series that uses only two drag washers on either side of the main...you probably want to avoid this one. There is another with a stack more like what you're use to seeing in your Penns. I modified one of mine to this configuration but with what I know now I would just hold out for one with the better drag from the start. I've caught yellowtail and White Seabass on my 6500s and I was terrified that the gears would explode and the fish did get the better of me for quite some time before coming to gaf...but the Ambassadeur did survive to fight another day and it was a hell of a lot of fun. I did end up replacing it with a Lexa 300 but I still love my Ambassadeurs for Calico Bass, etc.
I'll post more if I can recall the upgrades I made. You will definitely want a better handle if you go with an Ambassadeur.
-Mike
p.s. I just saw what Fred posted while I was typing. I haven't been inside that one to make comments on it's innards but it is a southpaw. If I were you I would consider Fred's offer.
If you go with an Ambassadeur, this is the type of handle you want for ocean fishing:
https://www.amazon.com/Abu-Garcia-Baitcast-Power-Handle/dp/B003LWBSW8
I just picked up a Kastking Royale Legend conventional baitcaster with graphite frame for $37.00. For a little bit more they have it available with a aluminum frame. 7 to 1 ratio & duel brakeing (magnetic & manual). They say it is capable of 16#'s of drag. I bought it from the supplier in N.Y. through ebay. A lot of lookalikes around so get it directly from Kastking if you are interested. I'm going to try it out from the beach & jetties. They say it's for freshwater & saltwater. I haven't used a baitcaster this small in decades. I'm going to load it with 20# braid & try it out with spoons, soft baits, live & dead bait. Find a nice light graphite rod & the whole setup will probably weigh less then a can of beer. :D Available in righty or lefty. Rudy
Quote from: oc1 on August 02, 2019, 06:01:30 PM
Kastking has a low profile reel with all (or at least most) of the bells and whistles that can be bought NIB for about forty bucks.
-steve
I've had 2 of the Kastking reels in with broken frames. Good for bass but don't seem to stand up to the bigger baits and abuse of muskie fishers.
Quote from: Lunker Larry on August 02, 2019, 06:35:11 PMI've had 2 of the Kastking reels in with broken frames. Good for bass but don't seem to stand up to the bigger baits and abuse of muskie fishers.
Really, which models? Were they graphite frames? The one I was suggesting is the Rover which is an Ambassadeur knock-off.
Well heck, ya can't beat Fred's deal!
Yoo-da-man Fred!
In the mail, Joe —
Best,
Fred
Mike, thanks for the tips about the Abu drags and handles.
Rudy, I didn't imagine that you would ever wet a line within a mile of shore :) Look forward to hearing how you like the KastKing.
Thanks for all the input, guys!
And Fred, you're the best!
Way ta go Fred! That reel couldn't possibly go to a better guy than Joe...enjoy it buddy! 8)
yay !! nice move Fred
that reel is solid as rock, I have the same model on sizes 7000c and 6600c
waaay better than gettin' those abu garcia ambassadeur made specially for wmalt.
Joe, if you take care of the reel it will outlast you easily.
Quote from: steelfish on August 02, 2019, 08:09:39 PM
Joe, if you take care of the reel it will outlast you easily.
Si, señor!
Fred YOU ROCK ! Joe if you do not take Fred up on his offer, take a look at the TICA brand reels. I used the Caiman model jigging for King Salmon in Sacramento. Good cast control, good level wind, aluminum body, decent drags (a CF upgrade might improve them though). I used 20 lb mono on a 8'6" downrigger rod. This combo casts very well. Bill
Quote from: nelz on August 02, 2019, 06:39:43 PM
Quote from: Lunker Larry on August 02, 2019, 06:35:11 PMI've had 2 of the Kastking reels in with broken frames. Good for bass but don't seem to stand up to the bigger baits and abuse of muskie fishers.
Really, which models? Were they graphite frames? The one I was suggesting is the Rover which is an Ambassadeur knock-off.
Sorry but don't know the model. It was a black low profile reel.
Quote from: Lunker Larry on August 03, 2019, 01:48:54 PM
Quote from: nelz on August 02, 2019, 06:39:43 PM
Quote from: Lunker Larry on August 02, 2019, 06:35:11 PMI've had 2 of the Kastking reels in with broken frames. Good for bass but don't seem to stand up to the bigger baits and abuse of muskie fishers.
Really, which models? Were they graphite frames? The one I was suggesting is the Rover which is an Ambassadeur knock-off.
Sorry but don't know the model. It was a black low profile reel.
KastKing makes a wide variety of low profile casters...from the $150 aluminum framed Bassinator Elite down to the lowly $32 graphite framed Brutus. The Brutus is black. I would think if I selected a KastKing for muskie fishing I'd go with the Rover round reel Nelz mentioned.
Kastking color codes most of their low profile reels. Black is usually 7.2 ratio, red is 9.0, blue is 6.7, white is 5.6, etc. based on the model. Most models come in different colors according to their ratios.
I bought a bunch of custom rods from the estate of a local amateur rod builder, one of which is a spiral-wrapped one-piece casting rod that I hope to use with that reel. For fluke jigging in NJ, most fishermen use light gear -- willowy (by saltwater standards) 7-8 foot rods, with light braid and little 3500-sized spinning reels. The rods are often rated for up to 1 oz. lures, but somehow they get used to bounce 3-5 oz. jigs. My rod spirals to the right, indicating it was intended to balance with a lefty reel.
This will be my first lefty conventional reel. I am left-handed but somewhat ambidextrous. Left handed work tends to be more detailed and creative, and right handed more powerful and objective. Jigging the rod all day is a better job for the right. We'll see how the left hand does with the reel. Doesn't seem like it should be a big deal, especially given that standard spinning reels crank on the left.