I have been doing most my Musky/Northern fishing with Garcia 6500C's or its newer counterpart, but am looking for another reel that will spool 35-50# dacron and give me a 6:1 or so retrieve.

Don't care for single handle reels or the larger salt water reels as they tend to get heavier after a bit of casting...especaily at the age of 61...:)

Doesn't seem to be one in the Garcia line, least on their web site so I'm up for any other suggestions, please no $600 reels, in fact anything in the under $200 would be nice...or cheaper, as long as they're still reasonably well made and a decent drag system.
A bit more might work too, if need be.

I've had good luck with Shimano Open faced spinning reels but not much experience with their bait casters.
I also had a couple 6HS reels years back and they worked well, but nothing newer to compare to.

Anybody?
TIA

Al

If you want to stay with the Abu Garcia, the Record 60 is a great reel for Musky. Otherwise, I'd have to say Shimano Calcutta. However, the new Revo Winch has my curiosity piqued........

Take a look at the Shimano Curado 300. Awesome power and capacity for a low profile reel. I use mine spooled with 50 to 65lb power pro for big northerns. 6.2:1 gear ratio on it.

I second the Curado 300.

Thanks all, I see a trip to Cabella's is in my future...:)

Al

Had a chance to look at some of the reels suggested, most seem to be rated for under 20# test, I'm a bit leary about using higher test lines on reels not rated for it, I've had a few the drag would not funtion well.

These seem to work ok?

Al

Give one of the low-diameter braided lines a chance, they won't be nearly as problematic as the dacron line. Not affected by UV rays, wont absorb water, etc. You'd be surprised how much of it you can get on one of the aforementioned reels. Power-pro would work great.

Give one of the low-diameter braided lines a chance, they won't be nearly as problematic as the dacron line. Not affected by UV rays, wont absorb water, etc. You'd be surprised how much of it you can get on one of the aforementioned reels. Power-pro would work great.

OK, that I can do, but it still doesn't anwser my question on the drag systems of these reels being able to deal with the higher test lines.

Al

If the drag is your biggest concern, then you need to check out the new Abu Garcia Revo Winch. The drag is rated at 24 pounds, and it has 10 bearings plus 1 roller bearing. Compare that to the Curado 300E7 at 15 pounds of drag and 6 bearings plus 1 roller bearing. Plus, at $199.99 at Cabela's, it's $50.00 less than the Curado 300E7.

That would work, thanks much.

Al

Have a look at the new Abu Revo Toro. They now have this low profile reel in the 6600 size and it is a very comfortable fit. Talked to a Muskie guide in Canada who field tested it and he says it's the best reel he has ever had his hands on. They are pricey at $279 but come with both a dual and single paddle handle and in two ratios. As another post said the Record 60 is also a sweet reel and about $100 less. You will find the Record or Toro very smoothe and great casting reels.

Paul

I have been doing most my Musky/Northern fishing with Garcia 6500C's or its newer counterpart, but am looking for another reel that will spool 35-50# dacron and give me a 6:1 or so retrieve.

Don't care for single handle reels or the larger salt water reels as they tend to get heavier after a bit of casting...especaily at the age of 61...:)

Doesn't seem to be one in the Garcia line, least on their web site so I'm up for any other suggestions, please no $600 reels, in fact anything in the under $200 would be nice...or cheaper, as long as they're still reasonably well made and a decent drag system.
A bit more might work too, if need be.

I've had good luck with Shimano Open faced spinning reels but not much experience with their bait casters.
I also had a couple 6HS reels years back and they worked well, but nothing newer to compare to.

Anybody?
TIA

Al

Shimano® Calais® DC Casting. That is the one that you want. Have your wife buy it for your birthday...

Have you checked the price on those? $650.00 ???

That's just silly........

$650?
I'd have better luck getting a upstairs maid than the wife spending that much money on a reel for me...:)

$200 is a nice number to max at, I'll stick to that range, but thanks.

Al

Have a look at the new Abu Revo Toro. They now have this low profile reel in the 6600 size and it is a very comfortable fit. Talked to a Muskie guide in Canada who field tested it and he says it's the best reel he has ever had his hands on. They are pricey at $279 but come with both a dual and single paddle handle and in two ratios. As another post said the Record 60 is also a sweet reel and about $100 less. You will find the Record or Toro very smoothe and great casting reels.

Paul


Just took a longer look at the Toro, sweet reel, high gear ratio, 6.4:1 drag goes to 24# and dual or single handle, at $270 or so a bit spendy, but seems like a good reel, may have to try one...thanks

Al

Sorry Al, I gave you some wrong specs in my earlier post, I was looking at the Revo Winch. It's a great reel also, but maybe not enough line capacity.

You won't regret the Toro!

Sorry Al, I gave you some wrong specs in my earlier post, I was looking at the Revo Winch. It's a great reel also, but maybe not enough line capacity.

You won't regret the Toro!

No prob, I like a lot of line capacity so the Toro looks like the reel for me.

Al

Have you checked the price on those? $650.00 ???

That's just silly........

Silly? When you spend 20 - 50k on a boat, being able to nail that cast is not so silly. Plus you are going to spend many more hours casting than running the boat. If it was up to me, I would float on a tube and then spend the money on the right gear.