Baitcasting reel recomendations needed

Hi,

Just got back from the Oregon coast minus one rod and reel setup which I now need to replace .  Instead of being selfish and going kayaking on my own, leaving my family and friends behind I agreed to rent a skiff and go out with the whole group on Newhalem Bay and River. It was a grand time on the water right up until my friend's 5 year old decided to grab the throttle and gun the engine which ripped the rod out of my hands (amazing how much resistance a deep 6 diver and a big flasher generates when going 0-20 knots in 5 seconds).  Anyway I did not even yell at the little bsTard though I wanted drag him by the feet over an oyster bar a few times (kids will be kids).  So I now find myself on the market for at a new reel and rod.  The lost reel was an older  Daiwa Millionaire baitcasting reel which served me quite well over the years.  I took a look at the current Millionairs and they now look like junk.  The Daiwa Luna baitcasting reels look quite nice though but pricey.  Any suggestion on larger capacity baitcasting reels made for saltwater?  I know many praise the Shimano Calcutta but have never tried one.  Was thinking about an Avet but after seeng the recent post about water permeability and corrosion I have turned limp on those pretty reels.  Since I lost my gear on my birthday and did not wring the little demon's neck I figure I owe myself a nice replacement setup .  Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Tomas

That sucks.

You pretty much nailed it on the new millionare.Mine couldn't even stop a jack, real weak drag.

Shimano tr100 and 200 are decent.
Penn 310 GTI

I have an aversion to spending more then 100 bucks for a reel, just because i know how i treat stuff....But if you want a nicer one those Calcuttas look real sweet! have never used one but have checked out Yaksurfs.

Calcuttas nice but the bearings are vulnerable--friend on mine only gets a year's hard use out of his..  Best for the $$ are the Shimano TR100 and TR200, just 1 ball bearing but they're graphite and bombproof, less than $100

best reasonable priced is the Shimano Tekota 500, lots of line capacity, shielded bearings, and wonderfully smooth drag. Keizer uses them on his charter, so they gotta be durable. About $150.  The Penn GTI 320/330 a close second.  Whatever you get, be surte to rinse it in fresh H2O  with drag tight, then engage the clicker and store it with the drag disengaged.  If you're fussy, open it up and coat everything with brushed-on marine grease, the blue Yamaha is best.  Google Alan Tani for reel care.

Sky's the limit:  Accurate BX400 ($400+) or Pro Gear---note the lack of level-wind, less to break or get cruddy from salt. World class drags, good for tuna or kings.  Also, the Okuma Cedros is a hot new reel, here's a snip from Charkbait:


Our Opinion: "The Cedros star is the BEST Star Drag Reel on the market - that's my take, powerful, light, super drag. If you are into jigging, I consider this a must have piece."

 

 Here's Okuma's run-down on the reel:

Beginning with a stunning A6061-T6 blue anodized aluminum frame with ported cross bars and continuing with machined aluminum side plates and gunsmoke anodized spool, the Okuma Cedros star drag backs outward beauty with incredible structural integrity. Producing up to 28-pounds of smooth drag thanks to its’ multi-disc Carbonite caged drag system and incredible freespool driven by 5BB+1RB Japanese stainless steel ball bearings, size 10 and 12 Cedros star drags deliver exceptional casting performance for live bait, iron and jig applications . Oversized machine cut brass gearing and fast 6.2:1 gear ratio deliver total control right to the palms of your hands. Cosmetically matched and balanced to Cedros Speed Jig rods, you’ll find this versatile combination in your hands throughout an incredible range of applications.

Cedros Star Drag Reels Feature-

A6061-T6 extruded aluminum, blue anodized frame
Frame cross bars are ported to reduce weight
Machined aluminum, blue anodized side plates
Machined aluminum, gun smoke anodized spool
Multi-disc Carbonite caged drag system
Ratcheting drag star for precise drag settings
5BB+1RB Japanese stainless steel bearings
Quick-Set anti-reverse roller bearing
Dual anti-reverse system. (Mechanical & roller bearing)
Oversized machine cut brass gearing
XL gearing: Drop down gear box for increased power
Self lubricating gear system, all models
MSS: Mechanical Stabilizing System for increased durability
Ergo grip handle knobs featured on all models
High Speed 6.2:1 gear ratios for increased line pickup (also now available in 4:1 gearing)
Cedros star drag reels are backed by a 3-year warranty

Model    Bearings    Capacity   Gear Ratio    Line Retrieve    Max Drag    Weight   Price
CSD-10S   5BB+1RB   260/25, 350/20, 430/15   6.2:1   40"   28-lbs   18.9 oz.   279.99
CSD-12S   5BB+1RB   300/30, 400/25, 540/20   6.2:1   40"   28-lbs   19.9 oz.   279.99

Great Discussion, need some decent reels am struggling with 2 I bought last year, been a pain since I bought them, I always rinse and cleaned them thoughroughly at the beginning of the season.

Bought a new Shim..200, I like it.  Does always have the "click" sound.  Talked with a few salesman about the Calcutta and it doesn't do well in salt.

I've gotten years of great service out of my Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 6600C4.  About $85 on sale right now at Outdoor Emporium.  Easy, breezy access to OE off I-5. 

I strongly recommend the Daiwa Sealine X HA/SHA reels for the salt.  I use the SHA 40 which has a large line capacity and is a little bulky but it has been dunked many times, serviced minimally and after 4 or 5 years still works like new.  The awesome thing about the sealines is they have a six element drag system and a rubber cover that goes over the drag system so it doesn't get wet.  These are very popular reels down in SoCal when it comes to yellowtail and white seabass from the kayak because of their durability and silky smooth drag.  If I were to do it over again, I'd go with the size 20 since it's lighter and less bulky and when using power pro one doesn't need that much line capacity.  They are pretty easy to take apart and service yourself(alantani.com).  They SHA's have a 6.1:1 gear ratio so cranking in from deep depths is a breeze and they also boast 3 "Super Corrosion Resistant Ball Bearings" (CRBB).  The spool completely separates from the gears when disengaged so they free-spool beautifully.  The standard price I see them at is $120, but I have seen them on sale for $100.

Hi,

Thanks for the great recomedations.  I do already have a Shimano T200 and a Shimano Torium for trolling and jigging.  What I need is a good casting reel with excellent saltwater resistance and a kick ass drag. I have an older Abu Garcia Ambassadeur that I used to use in the salt but had to change parts every 6 months.  This reel is now relegated to fresh water steelhead fishing.  I am curious on the salt water robustness of the Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 6600C4.  I am very intrigued by the Okuma Cedros as it seems to fit what I am looking for.  I am curious how well it casts and how bulky it is.  It seems that good casting is not a requirement to call a reel a "bait caster".   My goodness there alot of different reel choices out there .

Thanks,

Tomas

I am curious on the salt water robustness of the Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 6600C4. 

I've had my 6601C4 (left crank model) for about 5 years and it has been used almost exclusively in the salt.  I rinse it thoroughly and hard with a hose after each trip, and tear it down and service during the winter.  Immediately after I bought it I tore it down and coated everything in grease.  I really do mean coated everything in grease - trailer wheel grease.  Even the inside of the case, so even the non-moving parts.  As of last winter not a speck of corrosion.  The 6600C4 is better sealed than the BG 7000 HS which get water into it through the free spool button hole in the case.

I absolutely love my Abu Revo Toro! Compact size, the 51 holds 200 yrds of 50# braid and the 61 holds 250 yrds 22#s of drag. I feel comfortable using this for river steelhead all the way up to live baiting for lingcod with 6oz of lead. AMAZING little reel. 

I most often use the shimano tekota 500lc. The line counter is handy for bottomfishing. But the drag needs to be maintained regularly. Better anglers than me, like kykfshr, say its easy!

I also use the shimano charter special which is totally rad! Super nice drag, easy to operate while fighting fish.

Just dont get the lower model of PENNs like mine. The 230 GTO I used for the ORC died on me the second time out. I replaced some parts in it and still dosent have tension.  Others on http://alantani.com/index.php  have the same problem and nobody had any answers to fix it.  I might just fork out more cash and buy a better reel.

I love the Revo Toro also.  Seems that the left hand models are being sold out at cost.  Fisherman's Marine sold me mine for $100.  For that price you can't go wrong.

Steve

Hi,

I ended up buying a Daiwa Luna 300. It is a bit on the pricy side but it appears to be a sweet reel. I looked at the Okuma Cedros and it seemed to be relatively well made but not comparable to the Daiwa Luna or Shimano Calcutta's.  I tried the Luna out this weekend but did not test the drag due to no fish.  The casting lever disenged a couple of times which I hope is just a temporary break in thing. I will give it a full review when I get to cast it more and teat the drag with a real fish.

Tomas

I absolutely love my Abu Revo Toro! Compact size, the 51 holds 200 yrds of 50# braid and the 61 holds 250 yrds 22#s of drag. I feel comfortable using this for river steelhead all the way up to live baiting for lingcod with 6oz of lead. AMAZING little reel.

Couldn't agree more