If you had to choose just one reel to do it all, that covers most of your fishing. Which would it be ?
That one reel you wouldn't want to be with out.
Mine would be a Penn Torque Star Drag. Probably a 25N If I had choose just one.
OK for you salt water guys pick 2 one for fresh water & another for salt... Jeff
Penn Mag 970. Can surf cast it, use it for wreck fishing, jetty fishing, and it is strong enough to winch up a smaller fish from a bridge or high dock. I have an extra spool and want to set up the tail plate to be easily removed for swapping spools.
Can't be done for what I fish for, 8" kokanee from the surface to 100' up to Pacific halibut at 30-50 pound up to 600' deep
.
Ha! A couple years ago there was a thread to list top five, and we couldnt even hold to that! Even if we did, that'd be written evidence we COULD conceivably get by without back-ups to the back-ups, and the collectables, etc. People might run with that idea and levy it on the golfing community, and get them throttled to one club. This kind of thinking is dangerous :)
That said, I can only get to two, one fresh, one salt: 360 Slammer (doubles great in salt for a whole lot) and a 980. I need a little more line than a 970 for mahi / wahoo / kings but same principles apply as above.
Honorable mention: Penn 965.
Daiwa SL50SH or Shimano 20/40 tld star drag. I can use that for all my fishing and did years back! Not ideal though and you have to compromise and not catch Tuna over 90 lb! ;D ;D
"Most" is a key word from the 1st sentence. For the kina fishing I favor now, kayak reef casting and off-reef kayak trolling, the Avet Sx 4/6 MC-2 speed with 50 lb. spectra ana short mono. topper. Pretty good 1/2 to 3oz. caster, with low line capacity and drag max(14 lb.), but witha kayak maybe I can "sled-ride" tire-out a big-un.
Edit based on repy #37: Freshwater, Shakespeare 2062 w/3 spools--- 4, 8, 12 lb. tests.
Thankfully I (we) have so many available options. Which speakes volumes about our sport's accessability to most persons.
Quote from: Rivverrat on March 15, 2018, 01:15:27 PM
If you had to choose just one reel to do it all, that covers most of your fishing. Which would it be ?
That one reel you wouldn't want to be with out.
Mine would be a Penn Torque Star Drag. Probably a 25N
If I had choose just one... Jeff
I haven't used one, but saw them being built at Penn and agree that'd probably get right up the list.
Crap now that got me thinking my answer only addressed stock commercial reels. My recently built ProGear 541 or probably the 99 width Cortez Conversion would likely take place of the 980 if custom builds are allowed.
This would be an agonizing job for my single reel...as it would have to be small enough to handle panfish lines and lures...yet strong enough to land catfish and hybrid stripers...and be fast enough to fish for LM bass. I don't know what reel this would be...but if I figure it out I'm buyin' a dozen of them! 8)
Of the reels I own, if I could only pick one, I guess I would stick with my Stradic 4000xg. It would do everything I need for fishing the shore or bays, fresh or salt, and yet it still has enough drag to catch most inshore species from a boat.
Quote from: mo65 on March 15, 2018, 03:25:52 PM
I don't know what reel this would be...but if I figure it out I'm buyin' a dozen of them! 8)[/color]
LOL, the irony of that.
if I have to chose from the reels I own that would be the Van Staal 275
depending on the rod, it could cast 1oz lures with no problem and catch everything from the shore, and with a rod with more meat I can catch also everything of my local "offshore" fish, it also prepare for dunking and being cover by sand with no problem at all, non of my highend casting reel can do that. ;D
*** strangly I dont use it that much **** :-\ :-\ :-\ ??? ??? ::)
(but if the Boss/wife in a nightmare tell me that I have to sell everything and keep just one reel that it would be my choice)
You people make me laugh. :D. It would be easier for a woman to keep just one pair of shoes 👠 than limit a fisherman to one reel. Maybe some women fisherman will correct me. Butt remember the 13 yr old rule.🙋🏼♀️
Looked at the title of this thread — and I just changed it in my mind to: "Only 50 Reels"...
;D ;D ;D
It would be like a carpenter trying to build a house with just a hammer — it could be done, but not efficiently or attractively.
Best,
Fred
I feel bad for you salt water guys. You have to deal with depth, multiple species & sizes, etc., and then salt destruction.
Being a freshwater, guy it's easy for me. Mine's small enough with light line to be usable for pan fish, the perfect size for walleye, trout, all bass species, carp & channel cats, and strong enough to tackle the biggest pike, musky, salmon and blue or flat head catfish. They may not handle a big sturgeon but I doubt I'll ever chase or hook into one. The only accessories preferred would be 3 spools, one with 6#, one with 10# & one with 17# test mono. Those line strengths are heavier than I normally use, but I'm now limited to just one reel. ;)
Mike, I found it & you really don't need a dozen because they are so well made, unless, that is, you want to have a dozen different type poles in your arsenal.
In 1996, Mark Farber, American Classic Sales, introduced a couple of updated versions of the legendary ABU and Zebco Cardinal 4 called the American Classic IV. Basically it is the same design as the Cardinal 4 only better with powder coated paint, improved internal mechanical parts and an aluminum spool. They are now nearly impossible to find. I haven't seen one listed on the 'Bay for over 4 years, but I'm always on the lookout for one. They come in both standard selectable and locked anti-reverse models. If a guy can find one they'll usually bring well over $250.00
Quote from: mo65 on March 15, 2018, 03:25:52 PM
This would be an agonizing job for my single reel...as it would have to be small enough to handle panfish lines and lures...yet strong enough to land catfish and hybrid stripers...and be fast enough to fish for LM bass. I don't know what reel this would be...but if I figure it out I'm buyin' a dozen of them! 8)
Exactly why I chose & just love my Penn Torque star drags. I have 2 in the 12 size. 200 yards of 60 braid they will fish 20 lbs. of drag maybe a little more with out straining the components one bit. I've caught perch, striper, walleye, carp over 25 lbs. & catfish past 60 lbs. on them. These reels can keep up distance wise with a lot of the low profile wonders that are out now days.
With their option to change gears they give a fella the best cranking power or speed of any single geared reel made. A benchmark star drag reel... Jeff
Quote from: thorhammer on March 15, 2018, 03:22:09 PM
Crap now that got me thinking my answer only addressed stock commercial reels. My recently built ProGear 541 or probably the 99 width Cortez Conversion would likely take place of the 980 if custom builds are allowed.
Any reel, regardless. Please explain why... Jeff
Just one? A Newell G332f. 30lb mono cast like a dream,fishes live bait well and very few moving parts. If I hook something really big hand it off to the dechand,problem solved
Tough question, even for us freshwater guys. But I'd go with a old-time Mitchell 300 or one of it's relatives. They feel and sound absolutely great on a rod & will handle ultralight chores in a pinch w/ 4lb. test, while still being there for bass and northern pike on heavier lines.
Frank
If given one and only one, make it a Mitchell 302. It will take light to medium heavy line and fish fresh to salt water. Another consideration would be a Surfmaster 100. Bill
Quote from: happyhooker on March 16, 2018, 10:18:22 PM
Tough question, even for us freshwater guys. But I'd go with a old-time Mitchell 300 or one of it's relatives. They feel and sound absolutely great on a rod & will handle ultralight chores in a pinch w/ 4lb. test, while still being there for bass and northern pike on heavier lines.
Frank
I'll have to agree fishing only freshwater a spinning reel would be best. But I'd probably opt for the DAM Quick 220 with three spare spools. 4 lb, 8 lb, 12, and 17 lb. test mono.
Simply cannot be done with only one reel.
Wow... this is a really tough one! And yes I mean "one"😀
What to do, what to do??? I mean seriously, just one Jeff!!!
Okay, I live in Southern Az, lots of Bass fishing, 3-4 hours to higher elevation trout, and now I like to trek 6-7 hours to San Diego for 1/2 and 3/4 day boats as often as I can sneak away. The bass in my Avatar was 4 lb-15 oz, , I can get nice 20" Rainbows and Browns up north. As for S.D., mostly Calicos, and some up to 10 lb YT, and BFT so far......
So, I'm going with my Cortez Conversions Squidder😎
I can troll for trout, still cast a 1/2 to 3/4 oz plug for bass, and land (if I play them right) a lot of near inshore plastics.....
But, I would hate it to only have one!!!
If you don't have one, (CC Squidder), you would be surprised at how they cast!!!!
Brett
Edit:: I meant palegics, not plastics😎
It may be possible to try and fish with one reel but WHY would you want to.
Maybe you should ask the question "What is the one "GO TO" fishing reel you use for the normal day-to-day fishing that you do and how many of them do you take/have?"
I'm an east coast Surf fisherman. When fishing I use 1 to 4 rods depending on the conditions at the time (conditions = surf,wind, day/night, and if the fish are there & are hungry.)
I have landed fish up to 50+" & by catch of rays with wing spans up to 6', plus to way many biters to count with a few over 7'(I'm 5' 9" at 165 lbs).
Then there is the Hatteras monsters when hooked, heads due east like a freight train, can spool you of over 300+ yds of line in a matter of seconds, crushed pinion bearings, crack reel cages, part lines, and never break the surface!
For me the first reel that comes off the truck and in the surf is a tuned Penn Mag 525, spin time set to 8>10 seconds, in the sand spike, clicker drag, 30 lb braid, 24' 60 lb shocker, Hatteras rig, 7/0 or 8/0 Gamakatsu circle octopus hook, and 5>8 oz lead (depending on conditions{see above}). When hooked up I will set the drag to 6>8 lbs(4 spokes of the star drag from top middle to the handle). I take 5 525's
I fish hard for the fish that I can't keep! But may keep one if it is within the legal limits and will be consumed for dinner that evening:)
Sharp Hooks & Tight Lines ;)
BoB
Penn 500, hands down. For the majority of the saltwater fishing I do, it does it all. Yo-yo and surface iron, live bait...holds enough braid that I can fish deeper rockfish...light enough that I can fish shallow. PLUS the quick-change spool so you can go from light to heavy easier. Mine has Bryan's drags, a Tib frame, and an upgraded handle. Shoot, I've even trolled albacore with it!
I only have one reel that "covers most" of my fishing but it *ISN'T* the "one reel" I "wouldn't want to be without".
My Daiwa Lexa 300 is the most versatile and dependable reel I've ever owned. I can shore cast artificials, chuck bait, and even take it on a party boat to grind Lingcod out of the reef. Only problem is it's a pinch heavy for repeated casting of artificials and I tend to use 200 size bass reels (13 Fishing, Lew's) for that purpose. I do a lot more casting from shore than getting out there on the water so the smaller reels are the ones I can't do without, they just can't do the larger tasks like boat fishing.
I'd say my Lexa but I don't think I would be happy if that was my only reel, I'd just have sore shoulders.
Quote from: the rockfish ninja on March 17, 2018, 05:37:34 PM
I only have one reel that "covers most" of my fishing but it *ISN'T* the "one reel" I "wouldn't want to be without".
....but I don't think I would be happy if that was my only reel, I'd just have sore shoulders.
I believe your sentiment here is the underlying issue of why this is a hard thing. Making it most difficult for most to give an answer... Jeff
I would have to go with Daron's new Iron Man Everol, as you can never be overdressed; and should have never arrived outgunned...
Quote from: Hook um on March 17, 2018, 02:45:29 PM
Maybe you should ask the question "What is the one "GO TO" fishing reel you use for the normal day-to-day fishing that you do and how many of them do you take/have?"
BoB
Thought about that but it doesn't bring about the level of consideration as asked... Jeff
Sure it does... one reel to do it all, that covers most of your fishing...
I betcha I can catch a perch and a shark with my 9/0....
I would go with my Ambassador 5000. Small enough for panfish and still land nice Snook and reds.
Quote from: bhale1 on March 17, 2018, 02:35:17 AM
If you don't have one, (CC Squidder), you would be surprised at how they cast!!!!
So true...the CC Squidder is an undiscovered gem for light tackle fishing.
Brett is right, these things cast great. I spooled mine with 25 lb. mono...figuring I'd use it mostly for larger river fishing. I was blown away at how well it cast a 2 oz. sinker, so I tied on a 3/8 oz. spinnerbait and it set sail! On 25 lb. test! I immediately wanted to rip off the heavy line and spool her up with 10-12 lb. line and play around. I'm betting it would handle light lines very well. The only thing that stopped me was that big honkin' power handle I put on Tom's jewel. I would imagine a full day of casting using that handle would be a workout. 8)
Probably a Shimano Talica 20. It would kinda suck for some of the fishing I do, but it would get it all done.
Quote from: Rivverrat on March 15, 2018, 08:14:38 PM
Quote from: thorhammer on March 15, 2018, 03:22:09 PM
Crap now that got me thinking my answer only addressed stock commercial reels. My recently built ProGear 541 or probably the 99 width Cortez Conversion would likely take place of the 980 if custom builds are allowed.
Any reel, regardless. Please explain why... Jeff
Well, if it were one for saltwater it would probabaly be the Progear, point being it's all-aluminum and slightly larger than the 980, but carries 4/0 Senator guts. With all the upgrades available the Progear can be built out to serious drag and hold probably 400yds of 65lb braid. I bought the carcass from Ted and souped up the innards; will probably add an SS sleeve at some point.
One reel for salt...... Easy choice is new style Cortez 113h. I can use same sideplates for a T4N1, a T4N, a standard width, an HLW, and a T4WEX.....all with the same set of sideplates. One set of sideplates for all 5 kits, so technically I'd still only have one working reel ;D ;D
Ted
Sound logic....
For the saltwater fellas pick two. One for fresh water & one for salt... Jeff
If one: Penn 5500 Spinfisher V
If two: Avet Lx and Penn 710
Quote from: bhale1 on March 17, 2018, 02:35:17 AM
.
So, I'm going with my Cortez Conversions Squidder😎
I can troll for trout, still cast a 1/2 to 3/4 oz plug for bass, and land (if I play them right) a lot of near inshore plastics.....
But, I would hate it to only have one!!!
If you don't have one, (CC Squidder), you would be surprised at how they cast!!!!
Brett
Quote from: mo65 on March 18, 2018, 03:05:49 AM
So true...the CC Squidder is an undiscovered gem for light tackle fishing.
Brett is right, these things cast great. I spooled mine with 25 lb. mono...figuring I'd use it mostly for larger river fishing. I was blown away at how well it cast a 2 oz. sinker, so I tied on a 3/8 oz. spinnerbait and it set sail! On 25 lb. test! I immediately wanted to rip off the heavy line and spool her up with 10-12 lb. line and play around. I'm betting it would handle light lines very well. The only thing that stopped me was that big honkin' power handle I put on Tom's jewel. I would imagine a full day of casting using that handle would be a workout. 8)
Brett and Mo, does the Cortez Squidder 146 stand up to an Ambassadeur? I want to believe it does.
Quote from: Rivverrat on March 19, 2018, 06:56:16 PM
For the saltwater fellas pick two. One for fresh water & one for salt... Jeff
Stella 2500 for freshwater, Talica 20 or maybe Makaira Spin 10000 for salt.
Love my cortez squidder and I'd say it would stand up to an ambassaduer. I've used the 5500's and beat them to death in the salt and they work great.
I give the squidder the nod though for better free spool and stronger internals. Close call. Just my 2 cents
Quote from: Decker on March 19, 2018, 08:54:01 PM
Quote from: bhale1 on March 17, 2018, 02:35:17 AM
.
So, I'm going with my Cortez Conversions Squidder😎
I can troll for trout, still cast a 1/2 to 3/4 oz plug for bass, and land (if I play them right) a lot of near inshore plastics.....
But, I would hate it to only have one!!!
If you don't have one, (CC Squidder), you would be surprised at how they cast!!!!
Brett
Quote from: mo65 on March 18, 2018, 03:05:49 AM
So true...the CC Squidder is an undiscovered gem for light tackle fishing.
Brett is right, these things cast great. I spooled mine with 25 lb. mono...figuring I'd use it mostly for larger river fishing. I was blown away at how well it cast a 2 oz. sinker, so I tied on a 3/8 oz. spinnerbait and it set sail! On 25 lb. test! I immediately wanted to rip off the heavy line and spool her up with 10-12 lb. line and play around. I'm betting it would handle light lines very well. The only thing that stopped me was that big honkin' power handle I put on Tom's jewel. I would imagine a full day of casting using that handle would be a workout. 8)
Brett and Mo, does the Cortez Squidder 146 stand up to an Ambassadeur? I want to believe it does.
Not ot change topic but I'm going to say there is no comparison.
Sorry to derail the thread, Riverrat.
I'm sticking with the Penn 970 for salt.
For fresh, the Spinfisher 430SS.
I guess these two reels are of about the same vintage, and that period of the 80's seems to have been one of Penn's best.
That's not an issue at all. Kind of wanted to hear what others had to say about it... Jeff
Do it ALL? Would have to be a 16/0 senator. I suppose I could trout fish with it. But I can't marlin fish with a Zebco. ;D
Quote from: 1badf350 on March 20, 2018, 01:35:37 PM
Do it ALL? Would have to be a 16/0 senator. I suppose I could trout fish with it. But I can't marlin fish with a Zebco. ;D
Just an aside: Something about the thought of hooking into a marlin with a Zebco made me remember an incident from my youth. My brother and I were fishing off a bulkhead in the back bay of Harvey Cedars, NJ. We would fish this spot regularly, almost every day that summer. There was a particularly loud Donzi speedboat that would go by on the weekends. They would pass us with little regard for our fishing, or where our lines were. One day they picked up my line, and proceeded to spool my Penn 720. I screamed to get their attention, to no avail. Most likely all of the line on my reel ended up twisted around their prop shaft. Never did that again. :)
P.S. What would the result have been like if I had been fishing a 16/0? ;D I may have been dragged through the bay.
That's why i love these threads..you never know where they are gonna go....
Abu 5500 vs. CC Squidder: I wouldn't want to cast plugs for bass all day with no levelwind. That said, NO comparison in the drag and strength. I have an ABU 10000, and the CC would probably pull it apart if I get around to the steel sleeve. The 10000 even only has two crossbars plus stand, for 30 lb mono reel with a power handle...
QuoteI betcha I can catch a perch and a shark with my 9/0....
Have you taken a gander at Benni's fishing pictures? He fishes a 9/0 for panfish and trout....
Quote from: Rivverrat on March 19, 2018, 06:56:16 PM
For the saltwater fellas pick two. One for fresh water & one for salt... Jeff
There potato chips ,, you just cant do one,,,lol
Two for fresh and salt,, 4500 slammer lll, and a torque 300,
Are we talking one or two types of reels? Or just one or two reels? It would be impossible to run a 6 line trolling spread with 1 reel, so I guess I'm out of the game.
One reel Does it all , take`s any size line , holds a lot of line .
Can cast with it or straight drop .
A unique drag system .
Can catch bait fish on up to what you can hold on to .
A tanked out 99 sized Jigmaster with some extra spools. I take a bunch of reels when I go fishing so this one stays at home but if I had to pick one something like this would pretty much cover anything this side of big tuna.
Quote from: MarkT on June 25, 2018, 06:13:02 PM
A tanked out 99 sized Jigmaster with some extra spools. I take a bunch of reels when I go fishing so this one stays at home but if I had to pick one something like this would pretty much cover anything this side of big tuna.
Mark, funny you mention the Jigmaster. As popular as it was & still is it's one I dont have any experience with. Just recently received one to work on. The size & gear ratio makes these reels very usable... Jeff
For saltwater I'd like to say the Longbeach 60, but my Surfmaster has an aluminum spool and would be a little better with lighter line when needed. For freshwater, a 3.5" JW Young fly reel.
Started salt water fishing with a Penn 85 that I bought for 4 dollars. Still have it. Maybe I will return to where it all started ! :)😃
Quote from: George6308 on June 26, 2018, 12:15:23 AM
Started salt water fishing with a Penn 85 that I bought for 4 dollars. Still have it. Maybe I will return to where it all started ! :)😃
George, it would be really neat if you could post some pics of this reel... Jeff
Penn 704
Marc..
Quote from: Marcq on June 26, 2018, 01:59:59 AM
Penn 704
Marc..
Interested to know if it's a sentimental thing? Given that the Shimano Stella, Daiwa Saltiga and Okuma Makaira Spin exist, seems funny to go for a $200 reel.
Likewise if I could just have one reel ever there's no way I would take a Senator 16/0 over something like a Makaira or Penn VISX, or even a solid old Tiagra for that matter.
Quote from: Fishy247 on March 20, 2018, 04:14:13 PM
QuoteI betcha I can catch a perch and a shark with my 9/0....
Have you taken a gander at Benni's fishing pictures? He fishes a 9/0 for panfish and trout....
work was sending all over the east coast,,,I got a torque 5 to bring with me
I think the Torque 5 would make a fine reel if limited to one.
Some need to reread my first post.
I said nothing about one reel for all fishing. But one that would work well fir most of the fishing you do... Jeff
Quote from: Rivverrat on March 15, 2018, 01:15:27 PM
If you had to choose just one reel to do it all, that covers most of your fishing.
OK for you salt water guys pick 2 one for fresh water & another for salt... Jeff
OK . . . If my life depended on it, for survival, these would be my picks. ( I'm a "saltwater guy" )
SALTWATER : PENN 114H Special Senator with the Chrome over Brass spool ( USA Made )
FRESHWATER : Daiwa Black Gold BG15 ( Old Model - Made in Japan )
Both reels are built like a tank, easy to service, and parts are plentiful . . . Good "bang for the buck" !
NOTE: My freshwater choice, the Daiwa BG15, allows a "crossover" for saltwater fishing with lures or bait, as needed.
The 114H is the "meat rod" . . .The 114H ( Chrome / Brass spool ) actually has the same line capacity as the 114HLW ( Aluminum spool ) or very close to it !
Tight Lines !
Dave
(https://http2.mlstatic.com/carretilha-penn-special-senator-114h-60-raridade-D_NQ_NP_891359-MLB26993121812_032018-F.jpg)
(https://www.7seasproshopthai.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/1/5/15-1_2.jpg)
Here is my first Penn. It is an 85 that I bought at the Montgomery Mart about 1962 for four dollars. It has a few replaced parts, reel stand, cross bars, and spool but the rest is original. It's spooled with 20 lb test braided Dacron originally I used 16 ld test braidEd Nylon Squidding line. It was used for every type of salt water fishing from casting to head boats. Caught quite a few fish in its day.
Nice, George. Keep it simple. 8)
This wouldn't cover most of my fishing but I'd have to choose the International 130. If I had to pick, I'd rather have tuna than every other species combined.
Rethinking, since I rarely fish light lures or small fish anymore....I could do a ton with a 980...premier surfcaster, enough drag for the grouper we catch, light trolling for mahi / hoo with braid, flounder drift with mono, downrigger for striper, planers for Spanish, it will cast poppers when needed.
Quote from: thorhammer on August 22, 2018, 08:18:44 PM
Rethinking, since I rarely fish light lures or small fish anymore....I could do a ton with a 980...premier surfcaster, enough drag for the grouper we catch, light trolling for mahi / hoo with braid, flounder drift with mono, downrigger for striper, planers for Spanish, it will cast poppers when needed.
I see you've done some serious thinking, John.
The Penn 970 Mag is my "one reel", because it can handle any inshore fish in Jersey, and cast like a champ. In bay or surf, from pier or jetty, in the wrecks and reefs... I'll bet some catfish hunters could do some damage with it. Holds enough braid, and manages it without slop.
When I figure out a "quick spool change" setup for my 970, I just may sell a bunch of other reels. 8)