Reels

[Tony Livingston]

Okay brothers and Sisters, I need some help. I have long been a devotee of the short, ultralight rods - say 5' maximum length. I'm going to try a longer rod this Spring, nearly 7', ultralight fast action, as I'm going for casting distance with negligible weight.

I'm looking for a reel that will handle at the heaviest, 4lb mono or braid,  and has excellent long distance ability, especially with very little weight. I'm just afraid that a traditional ultralight reel, with its diminutive spool, will not serve me well in this regard.

I've been researching long spool reels, and the newer mag spool reels, both of which tout their respective abilities at long distance casting, but have no experience with either one.

Does anyone use these type of reels, or have any suggestions?

[Dwayne Denison]

Tony, the uncle bucks spinning reels at BPS are listed as ul. But they are more like a medium, but have a nice tip. The great thing is they are only like 14 bucks. I really like the pflueger reels. President is a great reel. Me and spinning reels dont get along, I cast the pflueger reels real well. The longsest the bps rods are in 6'6"

http://www.basspro.com/Uncle-Bucks-Crappie-Spinning-Rods/product/16...

[Tony Livingston]

I know what you're saying Dwayne, those presidents are great reels. I have a couple myself and really like them. I am considering a Pflueger "arbor" series for my new rod, as it has a short stroke/large spool combination. I e-mailed Pflueger asking about its application on my specific rod choice and application, and they indicated it would be a good match. I am also considering a Pflueger "Supreme". BUT... as I mentioned to Walt, I'm open to all possibilities, so keep the suggestions coming!

[Leo Nguyen]

Browning and Quantum is a great choice set. Great functionality with better price than the high end..same comparison on all level, minus the brand names slapped on the reels.

[bobby emory]

I have an abu cardinal i'm fond of I think it's the 101 on a 6ft+ berkely lightning and I love it does the light tackle joband it will cast

[Tony Livingston]

I'm currently looking at another St. Croix rod. I''ve had good luck with them, and as someone who makes his living working with his hands, I want the best tools I can afford. It's not that I'm made of money, far from it, it's just that I believe in getting the best I can, whether it be a new rod, or a combination wrench.  I think it pays off for me in the long run.

The worst thing about the St. Croix, it's a new design scheduled for release next month, which means nobody will have one. I would love to get my hands on one first, to see if there is a difference between it and the "Avid" series I'm using now. As I stated before, I don't mind paying a premium price for a premium rod, but neither do I want to buy the SAME rod just wrapped up in a different package.

[Leo Nguyen]

Amen brother! Amen. But, when you have kids that like to climb up the highest shelves and play with your tools, and pretty much destroy them, best to keep tye replacement costs down until they are out of the house, and you have your own special space that no one invades..i got things in the semi-indestructible versions for them to use before getting the top of the line that they can appreciate..

[Tony Livingston]

Absolutely Leo!  My kids are finally to the age where they have their own gear (8 and 11), and know to leave dad's alone. It's only the past few years where I felt comfortable with buying more expensive stuff and not worrying for it's longevity.

I've been there!

[B. Waldman]

Thik you're on the right track, Tony. I've got several outfits similar to what you're looking into, so I'll throw out an opinion.

 

Rods: shoot for something in the 6'6" - 7'0"" range if some degree of accuracy is important to you. Longer rods typically mean less accuracy and "finesse" unless you're pitching or fly casting. Beyond 7' starts getting tougher to control in a spinning setup. Longer rods also cushion lighter line better given an equivalent rating. My two favorites right now are a 6'6" custom Avid, and a 7' G. Loomis. Any shorter and you lose some of that "cushion" effect. I don't like ultralight rated rods. I prefer light or med-light., or what is typically a 1 or 2 power rated rod. Fast action will be more crisp and precise, but moderate action is more forgiving with really light line.

Reels: Nothing smaller than a 1000 series, but preferably something closer to 1500 or 2000. Again a trade-off; larger reels with larger spools handle spinning line better, especially fluorocarbons, but larger reels also add weight. 1500-2000 size is a nice compromise. As for brands, Daiwa and Shimano's are pretty much bulletproof, and easily serviceable. Might get shot for this (figuratively), but stay away from Quamtum spinning - no thing but trouble in my experience. Have 1 Okuma which hasn't been bad, either.

Line: 4# and under anything will work fine. Braid handles wonderfully on a spinning outfit in most cases, but if you use a leader, you need to be careful of overpowering the lighter weight mono or fluoro due to minimal stretch with braid. Braid straight tied won't be a problem, other than it is such a thin diameter that many times it will slip through poorly manufactured eyelets and such (poor tolerances).

Mono is fine at 4# and under, handles easier than most braids, usually underrated, stretches a lot, poor sensitivity but tough; will twist badly though depending on use. Does come in high visibility colors which can be a plus.

Fluorocarbon is a little stiffer than mono, but has better feel, is more dense so sinks (helps with tiny jigs), but poorer knot strength relative to mono. Usually "clear" in color and tough to see. By rating, is usually thinner than mono but not as thin as braid, and usually breaks at lighter test than mono, both of which will break much easier (lighter strain) than braid.

For casting tiny jigs for bluegill, my overall favorite has been 2.5# fluorocarbon, but I'm guessing you could do almost as well with 2# mono. If distance is the big determining factor, nothing will outcast Berkley NanoFil superline, but it gets touchy at 4# and less rating. Need a more moderate action rod, as well as to recheck your knots frequently (poor knot strength).

[cal okeefe]

hey tony . im just a working man myself.. i work as building maintenance man at a high school.. i worked as a journeyman commercial carpenter for along time and made a great living until the great recession (depression) of 2009.. so i have to budget myself and allways look for the best value for the money.. i have allstar rods, st croix rods and loomis rd which were all very expensive.. i allways go to my berkley rods.. i have cherrywoods,lightning rods and my favorite is a berkley taxtix.. its 6ft and these berkleys in my opnion have just the right amount of backbone and arent to loose or whiplike.. also the one leo just got the trout dough one looks nice and comes in many lenghts up to 8ft..

as for reels ive had just about all brands over the years but mainly shimano..the last couple years i have been buying the mitchell avochett reels. these in my opinion are the best reel for the money..very high quality. all metal and they are so smooth.. they have a anti reverse deal where the handle doesnt have any play at all.. most reels rock back alittle. they have several sizes but i get the smallest one and for 30 dollars you cant go wrong.. im hooked for life i have like 6 of them now.. just something to think about..

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Bass pro shops often hits on a winner -

[Leo Nguyen]

I'm definitely pro mom and pop stores. Even stores that carry U.S. made products, and definitely support companies that made product solely in the U.S.. It may be pricy, but something to show that I support our nation's businesses.

 

The sucky thing is, the variety of specific goods that I want come from countries outside of the U.S.. We're not inventive enough to venture into making what people truly need? Or because the other country steal our ideas and make product a hell lot cheaper?

[DAVID L EITUTIS]

HEY LEO, outstanding on the assesment of US made goods. This is just some info for you and everyone who reads.
  This isn't related to fishing but it bears out with what you say about us here in the US.
   I've been trying to buy a wool sweater for over a month now , US made preferably. I've looked everywere for a good heavyyyyyyyyyyyy weight one.  I bought three in the last two weeks . They are great quality , super heavy duty, and well made. 2 came from China. THey were over $150 each includeing shipping. I finally found one made in Ireland by a world famous company called John Malloy. UUUUUUUUUUnbelivable quality, super heavy , and guess what, $125 delivered!!!!!!! HHHHHHHHHHHHorray for the Irish. Also got some Irish made goods for my wife and Daughter In Laws.

  Who would have guessed that the IRish can beat the Chinese at their own game. There is a big US company located in Oregon that has made woolen goods for over a hundred years and this past year their heaviest wool sweater, is woven wool made in Oregon and shipped to China for assembly. I called em and they said it's cheaper to do it there. May be they should send their stuff to Ireland in stead?

  TOOTY