Smallest Baitcasters with level winds, clickers and star drags

Started by festus, January 10, 2020, 06:14:10 PM

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steelfish

The Baja Guy

philaroman

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  ::)

oc1

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.

festus

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.

philaroman

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


DougK

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..


oc1

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






mhc

Thanks for the detailed look (and taste test :D) Steve, I get the feeling you're not finished with this reel.

Mike
It can't be too difficult - a lot of people do it.

Donnyboat

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.
Don, or donnyboat

steelfish

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:


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
The Baja Guy