Reel Recommendation for 1st Musky/Pike Setup

[Sauggie]

I went to Mille Lacs this year and took a Pike Charter. I'm now "hooked" into Musky/Pike Fishing.

I bought a Berkley Lightning Rod from a musky fisherman (a guy I work with). He recommended an Abu Garcia Ambassadeur C3 Series 5501. I'm a spincast fisherman and wanted the handle on the left side.

Is this a good recommendation or would you recommend another reel?

Thanks,

Scott

[Sauggie]

Sorry, not spincast. Spinning.

[Ruddiger]

Scott:

From what you described I would consider this to be good advice. If you are not experienced with a baitcasting reel then I would reccomend that you get one that has the cranking handle on the side that you feel most comfortable with, regardless of wether the manufactuer calls it a Right Handed Reel or a Left Handed Reel.

For example, I am left handed and have used right handed casting reels all my life. The advantage to this is that I can cast with my left hand, reel with my right, and never have to transfer the rod from one hand to the other after the cast. My father, who is right handed and uses the same right handed reels that I do, casts with his right hand and then switches the rod from his right hand to his left hand and then cranks with his right. To me this is very inefficient but to him it is normal (years of experience.) Most of my right handed friends who I introduced to the sport, and who never had any experience with casting reels, feel more comfortable with left handed reels over right handed ones and I suspect you will as well.

As far as the Abu goes, they are an excellent reel. I have many of them and consider them to be the best pike/musky reel on the market FOR THE MONEY. There are other more expensive reels out there, but I think you will be very pleased with a 5501 or 6501 if you are right handed or the 5500 or 6500 if you are left handed.

Good luck on your purchase and enjoy your new obsession.

Ruddiger