Rigging for fish: reels

I am looking to get another level wind for sturgeon and halibut.  I currently use an Abu 6601C4 for salmon and such.  Though I am right-handed I crank left. 

Missed an Abu BG 7001 HS (no longer manufactured) on ebay a few weeks back, and have not seen another since, so I'm probably looking at either an Abu 7001i  or a Penn 321Gti.  Line capacities are similar as is the gear ratio, but the Abu has about 5# more drag at 17#.   

Other suggestions?  I'm not willing to spend much over $150. 

I am looking to get another level wind for sturgeon and halibut.  I currently use an Abu 6601C4 for salmon and such.  Though I am right-handed I crank left. 

Missed an Abu BG 7001 HS (no longer manufactured) on ebay a few weeks back, and have not seen another since, so I'm probably looking at either an Abu 7001i  or a Penn 321Gti.  Line capacities are similar as is the gear ratio, but the Abu has about 5# more drag at 17#.   

Other suggestions?  I'm not willing to spend much over $150.

Don't give up on this reel so quickly. I just picked one up on ifish in January to replace the 321 I was using for sturgeon.

Jay

you can always head over to chark bait and check out the Avet SX and it's sisters. all lefties come in silver only but that might be the only trade off.

www.charkbait.com.

click the tackle store button.

Abu Revo Toro?

-Allen

Have you looked at the Shimano Tekota? I picked up a new 700 for $180. Thinking of another in the 400 size for salmon trolling.

I went with the penn 321gt2 for my salmon, sturgeon, halibut reel. Its on the lighter side for the latter, but Im cheap and wanted an all arounder. Got it for about $100 on sale w/ 340 yrds 50# braid and 70yrds 25# mono top shot/backing. Will probably change out the top shot for #30-#40lb mono. I will let you all know how it works out for halibut at the end of May w/ pics I hope 

As previously mentioned on the" halibut time" thread I also have a Calcutta 400. Would this be a good reel for halibut as opposed to the Penn 113H Special 4/0 Senator? Sorry but the only Butt fishing I've done was a long time ago on a party boat out of Homer.

I have a Calcutta 400 (it's my favorite reel) which I use for bottom fishing.  It would work good halibut fishing.  Just make sure you have enough line for how deep your planning on fishing.  I run power pro to get more line capacity. 

I've never used one, but I've heard good things abut the Shimano Charter Special TR-2000LD.

Graphite frame; but stainless gears (instead of the brass). They get good reviews, from what I've seen. $129 at BPS- http://www.basspro.com/Shimano%C2%AE-Charter-Special%C2%AE-TR2000LD-Reel/product/7934/-239590

I've used a bunch of old Penns. (200 and 300 series). Slow gearing- 3:1, or so but pretty heavy duty and cheap. Easy to get parts for it. Can probably find one on Ebay for $25 or less.

The majority of butts you're gonna catch in OR/WA are under 50#.  Most likely, any reel that you are already using for rockfishing will be just fine.  And if you do hook one over 50, it's just going to be a bit more sporty!!!

-Allen

Abu Revo Toro?

-Allen

SportCo had the Toro 61 on sale for 129! I have a 51 and that thing is freaking awesome! The 51 holds over 200 yards of 50#PP 22# of drag and low profile so I can palm it.

The majority of butts you're gonna catch in OR/WA are under 50#.  Most likely, any reel that you are already using for rockfishing will be just fine.  And if you do hook one over 50, it's just going to be a bit more sporty!!!

-Allen

One of the things I like about halibut is that all of them I've hooked with have been sporty. Even a chicken 25lber can create havoc when it's fresh. 

Abu Revo Toro?

-Allen

SportCo had the Toro 61 on sale for 129! I have a 51 and that thing is freaking awesome! The 51 holds over 200 yards of 50#PP 22# of drag and low profile so I can palm it.

Bargain alert!!!  I've been eying toro, but not the left hand ones.  Wish I could find a 60 for 129.

-Allen

The Toro is great! I am going to get one of the larger power handles to help with cranking but I was able to easily retrieve 10 oz plus a 10" greenling this weekend. It also towed a 30" ling to the surface no problem. I think I am going to lighten up on the drag too because it just powered straight up!
I have not played with the 60 but the extra width might make it a bit tougher to palm.

Allen,
I hope you are bringing something with some big capacity to FB I want to try some deep water but fishing!

The Toro is great! I am going to get one of the larger power handles to help with cranking but I was able to easily retrieve 10 oz plus a 10" greenling this weekend. It also towed a 30" ling to the surface no problem. I think I am going to lighten up on the drag too because it just powered straight up!
I have not played with the 60 but the extra width might make it a bit tougher to palm.

Allen,
I hope you are bringing something with some big capacity to FB I want to try some deep water but fishing!

Big capacity not needed.  I've caught a lot of halibut off the kayak (under 50#) and I think I only broke 30# line once and I must have had a nick in the braid because I wasn't pulling hard at the time, the line just parted.  And you only really need 100 yards of it as you're not fishing much deeper than 250'.

That being said, I buy reels that have 300 yard capacity, hence the desire for the 60.  I feel better with that much line on the reel when down in Baja.

-Allen