New reel.

[PEPAW]

Going on a bay wade fishing trip in a couple of weeks and have decided to treat myself to a new bait casting reel.

I would like a smaller reel (light and comfortable) that I can also use for some bass fishing.    I don't fish much anymore, so this reel might only be used 1/2 dozen times a year.

Of course, price is an issue.   I would like to keep this reel under $100.

Thanks for your help.

pepaw

[acearch72]

shimano curado.....

a little more than $100 but well worth it..........

[Zachary]

I think that the tried and true abu garcia 5500C3 or C4 should be exactly what you are looking for.  I have several of them and they have all lasted very and performed very well.  Cost should be well under $100.  Probably more like $70 to $80.

I've used these reels for saltwater wade fishing for years.  These reels have been dunked underwater while trying to land a fish and never had any problems with them.  Of course you need to wash them when you go home, but they are low maintainence.

Zachary

[PEPAW]

I went with an Ambassador 4600 (blue reel).   Kinda of reminded me of my early fishing years and definitely more in my fishing budget.  ($55).

I wanted the Curado (and the Chronarch (SP?), but don't fish as much these days anyway and couldn't justify the price.

Thanks for the advice.

pepaw

[Zachary]

I used to have a 4600 too...boy did I love that reel.  Ain't nothing wrong with it.  I merely mentioned the 5500 because that's the model that first came to my head.  

The 4600s are excellent reels, especially for the money.  I'm sure that it will serve you well.

What kind of line are you planning on spooling on the reel?  I have used Berkley Big Game 15 pound test for the most part and it had never let me down.

Zachary

[PEPAW]

I am going to try the spider wire for the first time.   My fishing neighbor loves it and he fishes in the same methods I do.  30 lb test, 10 lb diameter.

So far it seems like more trouble because the backlashes are worse with Spiderwire than mono.

pepaw

[Zachary]

People either love spiderwire or hate it.  I hate spiderwire.  I've used it for years and, you are right, the backlashes are horrible.  And if you get a bad backlash, forget about trying to get it out - just cut it off.  And if you get a big fish, then the line digs deep in your reel and causes other problems.

Yea, spiderwire is very very strong per diameter, but its abrasion resistance is nothing compared to mono.  In one test, it took 758 times of a piece of sand paper going back and forth before a Berkley Big Game 10 pound line broke.  On the same test, the Spiderwire broke in under 10 strokes!

Zachary

[acearch72]

try Power Pro.  No problems with backlash and burying up.

Best line I ever used.

[PEPAW]

Never tried out my new 4600.   Had an old Daiwa on a new rod and never needed the new reel after all.
Waded for 5-6 hours, flung 3-400 casts and only had 5 strikes.   Landed 3 nice trout and a 24" red.   All but one on superspook, jrs.    
Great guide who really worked hard, but the week of west wind had emptied the bay and fish had left the shorelines.  
Anyone looking for a TX trip to a first class operation should contact Chris Martin.    Very nice lodge and very professional.   http://www.bayflatswaterfowl.com/


pepaw

[Zachary]

That's a shame about all those cast and those few fish.  I'm sure that your guide did work hard, but sometimes it's just hard to fight mother nature.

I have fished Texas for most of my life, and I too believe that a West wind is the worst kind of wind that you can have for fishing - at least for saltwater - both inshore and offshore - although especially inshore.

Zachary

[tneff]

It's a little late , but you have been given the most reliable options IMHO on the market. I own both the curado and several ABU Garcia's, have owned abu's just about my entire fishing life and have never had one fail or need major reapair. The curado is great for wade fishing and bay use , pronbably one of the markets hidden treasures. When it was introduced I got one for bass fishing and have owned one since , awesome reel .

[rex6666]

i fish with some guys that are always telling me about the curados and the corsairs, how much smoother they are than my ole garcias, and the are smooth about i don't know that they are
$50. smoother. we go to the TX. coast and lots of times the wind is blowing or has been, this makes the bay water sandy, well guess what, when some reels get full of sandy gritty water, they are no
longer smooth, some timethey lockup, then it is hey buddy can i borrow one of your Garcias.
i have 2500s-5500c3s-6500c3s-7000c3s and for some unknown reason a 10,000 that i can not think of a use for, but sure their is one, or Garcia would not have made it. i don't think their is a more usable reel made.

[corbanzo]

PENN SS series, any size you want.  Best reel ever made IMHO.