I don't know anything about the Abu baitcasters smaller than the 4600 other than they are very expensive. Ditto with the Penn Levelmatics.
What I'm looking for is a round baitcaster that will hold about 100 yds. monofilament in the 8-10 lb range with a clicker, levelwind, and star drag. This reel will be used in smaller rivers and creeks for bullheads, redhorse suckers, stonerollers, and other small bottomfeeders. The reel will be mounted on a 5' ML Eagle Claw spincasting rod and secured in a spiral type rod holder with the spool disengaged with clicker on.
There is a Ming Yang CL30 that would be perfect for this application. $40 shipped. Weight: under 8 oz. I've heard good and bad about the Ming Yangs in the larger sizes but haven't heard of anybody using this small one. For light applications I plan on using, I think it would do the job.
Anyway, can anyone suggest another small reel of this size?
I don't have any experience with the Ming Yang reels Chester...but I do know those Kastking Rovers are fine reels for the money...only about 5 bucks more. I'm not sure if it's as small as you want though.
https://www.kastking.com/kastking-rover-round-baitcasting-reel_p0135.html
Quote from: mo65 on January 10, 2020, 06:49:03 PM
I don't have any experience with the Ming Yang reels Chester...but I do know those Kastking Rovers are fine reels for the money...only about 5 bucks more. I'm not sure if it's as small as you want though.
https://www.kastking.com/kastking-rover-round-baitcasting-reel_p0135.html
Thanks Mo, I already checked Kastking out last night. Their smallest is the 40 size which weighs in at 11.6 oz.
Ming Yang makes some even smaller baitcasters, the CL25 and the CL20. The CL20 only weighs a fraction over 4 ounces. It and the CL25 would be perfect size, but they don't have baitclickers.
These small reels would be perfect for teaching my youngest granddaughter, my great grandson, and my grandnephew baitcasters, clickers, rod holders, and catfishing to their mini-scale. There is creek on the property where I used to live full of bullheads, bream, suckers, and chubs. My nephew has been living there for about a year.
give Tica Kokanee a look -- several models
Tica has good bargains, usually; Chinese w/ no middleman & EXC C/S
Price limit?
Quote from: philaroman on January 10, 2020, 08:04:19 PM
give Tica Kokanee a look -- several models
Tica has good bargains, usually; Chinese w/ no middleman & EXC C/S
I checked the Tika Kokanee and several other of their reels, but they're larger than what I'm looking for.
The Kokanee weighs 10.2 oz and has twice the line capacity of what I need. I have a couple of Abu 5000B that have bait clickers and weigh 11.0 oz. I also have three or four Abu 4600. They weigh 9.6 oz. In the past I've taken the side plate from an Abu 6000B with the clicker and switched it to the Abu 4600. It works very well, but I need something just a bit lighter because these kids are only 5 and 6 years old. Plus I like the idea of a micro-baitcaster. ;D
Quote from: Gfish on January 10, 2020, 08:14:55 PM
Price limit?
Probably about 100 bucks if I can find anything small enough. Lookin' like the Ming Yang is the best candidate.
Quote from: festus on January 10, 2020, 08:50:44 PM
........ Plus I like the idea of a micro-baitcaster. ;D
I cannot picture the size of that Ming Yang reel, in my understanding you still dont have that right, right?
I would like to see a pic of it along an abu 4600 ot 5500.
I do have a penn levelwing and its really lot smaller than an abu round reel, I dont know if that ming yang reels is comparable in size.
===============
why dont you get a cheap low profile reel with cast control (better for the kids) and instead of a clicker use those Bells on the tip of the rod as bit alarm?
found this on fleabay
Pflueger Echelon Low Profile Baitcast Reel 6 Bearings 6.4:1 Ratio - RH Retrieve
Condition:New
Quantity:
1
4 available / 1 sold
Price:US $39.95
Quote from: steelfish on January 10, 2020, 09:39:50 PM
Quote from: festus on January 10, 2020, 08:50:44 PM
........ Plus I like the idea of a micro-baitcaster. ;D
I cannot picture the size of that Ming Yang reel, in my understanding you still dont have that right, right?
I would like to see a pic of it along an abu 4600 ot 5500.
I do have a penn levelwing and its really lot smaller than an abu round reel, I dont know if that ming yang reels is comparable in size.
===============
why dont you get a cheap low profile reel with cast control (better for the kids) and instead of a clicker use those Bells on the tip of the rod as bit alarm?
found this on fleabay
Pflueger Echelon Low Profile Baitcast Reel 6 Bearings 6.4:1 Ratio - RH Retrieve
Condition:New
Quantity:
1
4 available / 1 sold
Price:US $39.95
The sideplates on the Ming Yang 30CL are 2" diameter. Width of the reel from the outside of sideplate to sideplate is a little more than 2". Tiny little reel. After finding maybe the world's smallest spinning reel (Daiwa 500C), I'm out to find the world's smallest baitcaster with a clicker and levelwind. Looks like the Ming Yang is the leading candidate. The Ming Yang CL25 has a levelwind, but no clicker. The tiny Ming Yang CL20 weighs only 4 oz, but has no level wind.
there's tons of tiny Japan vintage, if that's of any interest... not sure if they're all knuckle-busters
Quote from: festus on January 10, 2020, 10:01:46 PM
After finding maybe the world's smallest spinning reel (Daiwa 500C), I'm out to find the world's smallest baitcaster with a clicker and levelwind.
thats sounds like a nice goal, so go for it.
when you get it, please post pics along others "well-known" brands reels
Quote from: steelfish on January 10, 2020, 11:37:28 PM
Quote from: festus on January 10, 2020, 10:01:46 PM
After finding maybe the world's smallest spinning reel (Daiwa 500C), I'm out to find the world's smallest baitcaster with a clicker and levelwind.
thats sounds like a nice goal, so go for it.
when you get it, please post pics along others "well-known" brands reels
Daiwa Mini Coronet (sp?)... I think it's on here, maybe Fred... thumb-size
the regular Coronet is already a mini, like Shimano Demi & Olympic Midget/Midge(?)
https://alantani.com/index.php?topic=16739.0
Quote from: philaroman on January 10, 2020, 11:44:35 PM
Quote from: steelfish on January 10, 2020, 11:37:28 PM
Quote from: festus on January 10, 2020, 10:01:46 PM
After finding maybe the world's smallest spinning reel (Daiwa 500C), I'm out to find the world's smallest baitcaster with a clicker and levelwind.
thats sounds like a nice goal, so go for it.
when you get it, please post pics along others "well-known" brands reels
Daiwa Mini Coronet (sp?)... I think it's on here, maybe Fred... thumb-size
the regular Coronet is already a mini, like Shimano Demi & Olympic Midget/Midge(?)
I checked that one out, but it's too small.
Here's the dimensions of the Ming Yang.
If that's smaller than a Ryobi V-Mag 3 then I'm getting one. Can't find the V-Mag size right now but will measure one tomorrow. V-Mag is not round and doesn't have a clicker though. I believe the Demi and Coronet do not have free spool or star drag, but they have a clicker. They are both a bit "tinny".
-steve
V-Mag 3 is somewhat smaller. 1.75" high, 2" wide, 2.25" long. I'm getting one of those things anyway.
-steve
correction: The Shimano Demi 3 does have a free spool clutch. The Coronets do not.
Quote from: oc1 on January 11, 2020, 09:33:20 PM
............. I'm getting one of those things anyway.
thats my boy !! ;D ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: oc1 on January 11, 2020, 09:33:20 PM
correction: The Shimano Demi 3 does have a free spool clutch. The Coronets do not.
I vaguely remember something tiny (Midget?) w/ a whole lot of buttons/levers/switches... I mean, a WHOLE LOT
it would be downright silly, if none of them were freespool, but w/ early Japan designs ::)
You're a dang genius Chester. The Ming Yang is a cool little reel. I got the CL25 which is smaller than the CL30. 110yds of 8# compared to 120 yards of 10#. It doesn't have your clicker though. I don't need a clicker if I have a AR.... or vice versa.
It sounds pretty solid and I can't wait to get into it. With a few mods it may be a daily driver sort of reel for me. The levelwind is disengaging but it'll probably have to go. Hopefully, a CT conversion will open up the frame a bit.
Thank you VERY much.
-steve
edit: Now I see there is a CL20 too at 100yd of 8#. Wish I'd gotten that one instead.
Quote from: oc1 on January 16, 2020, 05:08:46 AM
You're a dang genius Chester. The Ming Yang is a cool little reel. I got the CL25 which is smaller than the CL30. 110yds of 8# compared to 120 yards of 10#. It doesn't have your clicker though. I don't need a clicker if I have a AR.... or vice versa.
It sounds pretty solid and I can't wait to get into it. With a few mods it may be a daily driver sort of reel for me. The levelwind is disengaging but it'll probably have to go. Hopefully, a CT conversion will open up the frame a bit.
Thank you VERY much.
-steve
edit: Now I see there is a CL20 too at 100yd of 8#. Wish I'd gotten that one instead.
Glad I brought up the subject. Abu Garcia made a few of their 4600 models with clickers and labeled them the Kokanee Specials. They're very rare, and if I was ever lucky enough to find one I'm not paying that price.
what does CL20/25 weigh (is the frame really brass)?
Steve,
what matters more -- smallest profile or lightest weight (assuming metal frame/spool)?
if you're OK w/ lefty, Daiwa TD-X/TD-S are starting to sneak by affordably & seem like
they would be especially friendly to a strip-down... maybe, start w/ <7 oz. & end up w/ <5
the ming is a nice looking little reel..
the clicker is the problem.. Daiwa Pixy or Alpha, Shimano Aldebaran, are about 5-6oz, but none have a clicker.
The littlest Abus would be nice but as you say pricey.
The Abu Ambassadeur 1000 was made briefly in the 80s I think, a sort of copy of the Lews/Ryobi Vmag reels, looks like a good small baitcaster, but again no clicker.
I see them from time to time on ebay, but always for more than I want to pay..
Here is a visual size comparison. Left to right Ming Yang CL25, Ryobi V-Mag3, Langley Target, Ambassadeur 1500C:
[http://www.raingarden.us/snap/my1.jpg[/img]
The reel weights are:
Ming Yang 4.9 oz,
V-Mag 5.2 oz
Langley Target 4.1 oz
Ambassadeur not sure, but it's a lot more.
I'm not sure what to think about the Ming Yang. There is virtually no plastic in it except for the drag washers. I don't make a habit of chewing on reels, but you can scratch and indent the metal with your teeth. It looks and feels like aluminum but the metal will slightly attract a magnetic. Brass gears.
[http://www.raingarden.us/snap/my2.jpg[/img]
[http://www.raingarden.us/snap/my3.jpg[/img]
[http://www.raingarden.us/snap/my4.jpg[/img]
[http://www.raingarden.us/snap/my5.jpg[/img]
To support the spool, there is a cheap ball bearing in the tail plate, but the head plate has a bushing of that same light metal.
There is no brake except for the spool tension knob so I put in a bunch of magnets.
[]http://www.raingarden.us/snap/my6.jpg[/img]
[http://www.raingarden.us/snap/my7.jpg[/img]
Out of the box it had no (zero seconds) of free spool. After replacing the grease with light oil it has a couple of seconds. Surprisingly, it seems to cast about as well and anything else I have. Over forty yards with a 3/8 ounce jig.
There are a few quirks:
In the photo above you see a small three-prong ratchet the fits on the sleeve and trips the clutch fork to re-engage it. If one of those three prongs is in the right spot the reel will not stay out of gear when the button is pressed. Sometimes the button stays down when it is pressed but the pinion does not completely clear the main gear. It makes a horrible grinding sound if you cast when it is like that.
The levelwind is just weird because the carriage and guide wire do not quite travel far enough to the left or the right. So, it doesn't lay line up against the spool flange and you get a dome-shaped line lay on the spool. Clearly another design flaw.
Here's the money shot. It palms great. Maybe the best I've ever seen and there is room to shave down the tail plate even more. The comfortable palming alone will make me stay with it.
[http://www.raingarden.us/snap/my9.jpg[/img]
A clicker would be nice, and maybe there's a way.
-steve
Thanks for the detailed look (and taste test :D) Steve, I get the feeling you're not finished with this reel.
Mike
Steve is just like you Mike, both your brains never stop, even when your trying to sleep, I bet Steve, has a clicker on that reel before long, and thanks for the pics, cheers Don.
Quote from: oc1 on January 17, 2020, 08:39:06 AM
Here is a visual size comparison. Left to right Ming Yang CL25, Ryobi V-Mag3, Langley Target, Ambassadeur 1500C:
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/my1.jpg)
The reel weights are:
Ming Yang 4.9 oz,
V-Mag 5.2 oz
Langley Target 4.1 oz
Ambassadeur not sure, but it's a lot more.
thanks for the pics Steve, thats pretty cool and small reel, but I have a feeling that the other 3 reels at your right will outlast the ming Yang but I can see why out friend Festus want them for their purpose, small, light, round baitcaster and clicker for kids.
I introduced my kids to fishing with cheapos wallyworld $12 dlls combos and my next "high grade" step was to get them $20 dlls rods and $25 dlls reels, man!! I felt like a proud dad for getting those "expensive" gear to both of my daughters they were 10yo and 5yo, what was 12 years ago LOL,
I still have those combos, Daiwa megaforce composite 6.6 12lb rod and shimano sonora 2500 FA
those rods really withstood the abuse of kids fishing on rocks, there she is fighting a 4# triggerfish