Opinions on Reels

[surfrat]

Gonna get another conventional setup and i am looking for some feedback. The reels i am looking at are the Penn Mag525 and the Newell 229. who has one and let me know the good, the bad, and the ugly :D . this will go on a 10 footer rated for up to 10oz. most likely spooled with PP or Fireline. other reels being considered are the Shimano Torium, Trinidad and Calcutta. i've looked at Avet's and Abu's and have ruled them out for personal reasons. im looking for a reel that i can customize if i want too but i do not have plans to do anytime in the future, basically looking for the best casting reel "out of the box". i grew up casting an old penn and the only control over the spool was your thumb so i do have experience with conventionals i would just like your opinions...actually curious to see who use's what. Thanx.
Nick

[Capt Buck]

I don't know why you ruled out the Abu's, but I use a Abu 7000 with a levelwind delete kit for my heaver and it's worked very well for about the last 10 years. It holds 325 yds/17# and had 3 ball bearngs. I just bought a Shimnao Calcutta 400 w/o levelwind and am chmping at the bit to use it,if it's anything like the 5 CT-250's we got for the boat, it should be a good reel. The CT-700 would be more in the size you're looking for, it holds 310 yds/20# line. Both reels have can be adjusted to your casting experiance and preferances by the number of anti-backlash brakes you engage or install. Good luck with your reel search.

Disclaimer: This is only the opinion of this poster as requested in an open forum

[FISH BUCKET]

i've been using a newell 220-5 for about 8 years and haven't had a lick of trouble with it.i use it hard and it never failed me.it holds more than enuff power-pro for the surf.
i am getting a 525 mag also for two reasons.i flat out like the feel and looks of it and i want to get into distance casting and this seems to be the reel for it.
you can't go wrong with either one

[LOST A ROD]

smile.gif i have a calcutta 700 w/levelwind spooled up with 50lb stealth no problem also have daiwa 300millionaire wclickers 50 lb power pro use for surf and stripers happy fishing.

[Striper101]

Nick,
I use the Abu's also. I have 2 - 7000 Big games & never had a problem with them is the past 5 years. I also like the 700 Calcutta!

[pgoins]

Nick,
Not sure why you ruled out the Avet or the Abu either, but I wouldn't trade my Avet's for anything. Nothing compares to the castabilty of that reel. I Don't like a levelwind for casting reels but some guys do. I've have a couple of Abu's also that have held up great, but don't cast nearly as far as even the smaller Avet I have.

[surfrat]

Thanx Guys for the opinions.
Capt Buck - I just havent had the "feel" when it comes to Abu's. i dont dislike them i just want to go in a different direction. i have the calcutta 400 and you'll love it. lookin hard at a 700 in the near future and if it performs as well as the 400 i will have no problems.
Fish Bucket - i agree 100%
Lost A Rod - which ever reel i do choose i do not want the levelwind. im only throwin bait so i feel there is no need for it. personal preference i guess.
Paul...you own something other than shimano?!! ....oohh im tellin'!! ;) thanx bro.
Pgoins - the Avet i looked at(not sure of model) i dont think i could control that spool. it probably would cast a mile but i do want some control.
for "out of box" castability i think the penn 525 is the way to go. in MY opinion to get the most out of Abu's they have to be customized. im not against that i just dont want to do right now. i have a couple Abu's that i use for deep water wreck & Fluke trips. i dont care for the drag in the Abu's, based upon my experience's. i dont have ANY experience with AVET's and thats why i'll stick with what i know.
Thanx again guys.
Nick

[the greek]

I have and use the 525 and can tell you without a doubt it is a fine reel. I would recommend you get the aftermarket mag assembly as you will get twice the control of the stock penn assembly and it is only twenty bucks and real easy to swap out. I would also take another look at the abu's. You will not find another group of reels with a better source of upgradeable parts. You can literally hot rod them as far as you want to go. Avet makes an awesome reel performance wise as long as you don't get any sand on it, because the tolerances are so close they will flat out sieze with even a little sand or dunk. I don't care much for the calcutta on the beach. The Diawa slosh 20 or 30 are also real nice reels that cast well and have a super drag. Just my opinion.
The greek

[canyon caster]

Nick,


Check your e-mail.....

[njfisher]

"Going in a new direction"

Why go in a new direction, when abu can get you there in style and control. without side trips?

[ 02-16-2004, 07:19 AM: Message edited by: njfisher ]

[surfrat]

Andy, thanx bro.
the Greek, thanx for the info. im lookin for "out of box" condition. i dont want to customize or upgrade(the Abu's) at this point. i have heard that about Avets. never used diawa.

njfisher, i want to go in a different direction not a new direction. i think its great that you guys stick up for the products that y'all use.
what are side trips?
nobody has or use's a Newell reel? wow thats surprising. i have heard nothing but good things about them.

thanx again guys.
Nick

[Billy BaitSlinger]

I've got the Penn 525 Mag. I use it on a 11' Tica Casting Rod, rated to (I believe) 8 or 10 ozs. I have no complaints. This reel has casted well, does not backlash with the mag set on "slow", and has a fast 6:1 retrieve ratio.

I use it as a "meat heavier", for large live or cut baits, paired with heavy sinkers.

I thought that this was the way to go for distance casting. After all, the competition casters all use revolving spool. But in reality, I've found I can cast a spinner just as far. The retrieve is less hassle with the spinner also. The 525 does not have a level wind; your thumb and fingers have to serve as the levelwind.

By no means am I well experienced in this area. Perhaps with time (meaning more than 1 season) I will get better at throwing and retrieving the conventional tackle. Of course, to throw heavy weight-and-bait, it seems like conventional is the ONLY way. You just don't see spinning rods rated much more than 4 ozs.


If I were to do it over again, I would get me one of these distance casting spinning reels. I believe Daiwa makes them, and they have an inverted cone type spool. Load it up with 30# braid, and let er rip.

By the way I am using 17# mono, with 15' of 30# hybrid-fluoro shock leader on the 525 Mag. Some day I will try it with braid, to get some extra distance and feel. but I figured I should learn how to use it with mono. Backlashes with braid can get a little expensive :D

[Phil L]

Surfrat,
Probably, one of the best out of the box conventionals with the control you want, is an Abu...specifically a C3 6500 or 7500 CT or CS...the Mag Elite series. The CT is non levelwind and the CS is level wind. I've been fishing conventionals since I was teenager...I've thrown everything from a Penn beachmaster, squidder, jigmaster, the 525 Mag, Newells, the little Avet...ect...In my opinion the best all around in terms of quality, dependability, ease of self service, availability of parts and upgrades and toughness is the C3 6500 Mag Elite Series.

I myself have the 6500CT and have had one since they came out back in 97 or 98....Still have the same one...its a very good reel that has numerous upgrades you can do that are cheap if you so desire, including three different gears you can put in it...3.8:1, 5.3:1 or 6.1:1. Upgrades in bearings, dragwashers, etc....

The reel will do everything....throw big lures, throw light lures, throw weight and bait, deep water fluke, tog, chunk bass....anything you ask it, it will do....

The stock bearings are fine, but you can upgrade them and the stock drag can be upgraded to a Smoothie or Extreme Smoothie drag for under ten bucks...

As either a casting conventional or all around conventional you cant beat it for 140 bucks....

Only thing, is Abu stopped making them so there arent too many new around for sale. Parts are no problem as they are similar to all the other in the 6500 series. New you might be able to get one through Trey at Hatteras Outfitters or Steve Barrett in Austrailia. I believe there are a few 6500 CS's left at the StripersOnline online store...

Thats my opinion anyway....of all the reels I could choose from, seems no matter what I am doing inshore, I'm reaching for the old trusty 6500.....

Phil L

[BEACHBASSARD]

HAY PHIL SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE A ABU (GURU).
MAY BE YOU CAN HELP ME .
I STARTED TO USE CONVENTIONALS TWO YEARS AGO LAST YEAR I GOT A ABU 7000C3
I LIKE THE REEL BUT IT STARTED TO BUNCH UP MORE LINE ONE SIDE THEN THE OTHER.
I HAVE JUST CLEANED IT AND MADE SLITE AJUSTMENT

(I PUSHED THE LEVER BAR OVER) :rolleyes:


IT STILL LOOKS LIKE IT MAY RUN A LITTEL MORE ON ONE SIDE. :eek:
DO YOU OR ANY ONE OUT HTERE HAVE ANY TIPS?? :confused:
BEFOR I PUT ON NEW LINE.
IHAVE A 700&400 CALCUTTA I HAVE NO PROBLEMES WITH BUT THEY ARE NOT LEVER WINDS. AND I WANT TO USE THE ABU WITH FIRE LINE. :cool:

[njfisher]

Beachbassard,

See your from Brig.

Go to fisheads and pick up a new levelwind pawl, or call them and have them send you a new one.

Very easy to replace. Make sure you keep a light coat of oil on the levelwind after you replace it.

[ 02-17-2004, 06:52 AM: Message edited by: njfisher ]

[Red_Cherokee]

Billy, I just e-mailed you. :D

[BEACHBASSARD]

THANKS WALT :D I MEAN NJFISHER!!