Baitcaster for wife

[Flatfish]

My wife is the regular front seater in our drifter.For some time now I have kept her from drift fishing for steelies and cohos due to how frustrating it usually is to learn how to do it WELL.Have been pulling plugs/Diver-N-Bait with baitcasters(that are too big or weak in construction),pitching spinners,free drifting,and float fishing with a spinning reel.Well now it's time to learn how to drift fish.The question is which LEFT HANDED baitcaster works well in small hands.She is 5'4" so that gives you an idea of size.Abu 5501s are too big for her to grip the rod and reel at the same time.I have thought about a 2500 size Abu,but line capacity and retrieve rate are not gonna cut it in the long run.Because of this I feel that she wont be able to feather line,mend,cast accurately,and set the hook instantly(which are,IMHO,the reasons to drift with a baitcaster)and this will cost her fish and much frustration.At this time she is working with a quantum cheapie(20 bucks on closeout at Joes)that has landed maybe 20 steelies.It is on its last breath(fish?)and between cohos and steelies it will most certianly die soon.Want to get something that will last forever,but like I said the round 5500 style is too big.Really want an old 201 Shimano,but the prices are way out of line.Same with the Lews(don't even know if they are available left handed.I use right handed reels(the correct side :wink: )Did Quantum,Diawa,Abu or Shimano make a flat style reel that could stand the work that Salmon and Steelhead fishing dish out?Any informed ideas?How long has yours lasted?
Thanks for your time.
Mark and the sleepin' dog.

[chummer]

earlier G.I.Joe's had left handed 4501's on close out for around $30 here in Gresham, you might check with them to see if any other stores still have any. I bought one, alot smaller than 5501's. good luck

[bait boy]

Try this its a little more expensive but should withstand the rigors of salmon and steelies. because you're in a boat and can chase fish the line capacity should not be a huge issue, and if it is go with a super line.

curado at joes (http://www.gijoes.com/product/index.jsp?productId=783646&cp=716957.717053)

[DJFISHS2XS]

Geez I just clicked here because I thought someone was trying to trade his wife for a reel, I thought what a great Idea...DJ

[MasterCaster]

Has anyone else had any experiance with the Shimano Cruzar reels? I had one bought for me last Christmas and Ive landed MANY steelies and a few chinook with it from the bank with no problems at all. I have the CRZ 100 which is the smaller of the two and it holds 130 yrds of 12# line. The CRZ 200 holds 150 yrds of 12# so its a little bigger. The 100 costs about $80 regular price. I picked up a another one on E-bay for about $50 brand new. I have never heard anyone talk about these reela that I can remember but I think its a great reel for steelhead anyway. I use Abu 5500 and 6500 reels for most of my salmon fishing.

I didnt think about it before I posted but my CRZ 100 reels with the right hand.

Jon :smile: :grin: :smile:

[ 09-16-2002, 01:03 PM: Message edited by: MasterCaster ]

[Kruechief]

Okay, I'll take her, but you have to take one 4-year old demon-child and a cranky Jack Russell in trade :wink:

My wife uses my Daiwa Pro and loves it (d*m*it!).

Lo :hoboy:

[WP]

Curado minimag or 201. My wife is leaning on one and absolutely loves it...it is her first levelwind. I also love them. great reals with good capacity and lovely touch. around $120 though :depressed:

[KingFisher85]

Ok I have a abu 3500 and it is the best casting reel that I have ever used. It cost a arm and a leg but casting spinners or very lite stuff, lets just say, you hardly see birds nest with it. I use it for coho and steelhead when using 8, 10, and 12 pound fishing line. My reel is a right handed but I know they sell it in left handed.

[Keta]

Shimano Curado 201. I landed a 25# king with mine.

[Duckie]

Shimano Curado gets my approval. Great for small hands and very easy to operate. Great drag and easy maintenance. A top notch reel for the price. So far, reeled in some hefty kings without a problem graemlins/hearton.gif

[Dan Christopher]

mark
just give her your reel,,, it looked to me like she hooked in to more fish then you did, :grin:

[BassMan]

My buddy just got the new currado and it is Excellent!!! Very small frame and it casts like a dream! Much better than my 12yr old garcia 500. And plenty of umph for the big ones!!

jb

[Snakebite]

Shmano 201 is the way to go! I fished it for 10 hours straight (first level wind I ever fished with) the first time out without one backlash. Landed several 25lb nooks with it and countless steelhead. Had it for seventeen years now and it's still going strong! And I'm real hard on reels. Wish I had my old Mitchell 300 still. Probably caught 1000 brookies and rainbows on that reel until some druggie stole it out of of my truck. He's lucky I never caught up with him. Has anyone ever been charged with murder for killing someone stealing their fishing gear?

[Flatfish]

Wow thanks for the help everyone!Sounds like a curado and a 201 are in our(her)future.Test 'em side by side and try from there.Would love a 3500 Kingfish,but I am not willing to mortgage a reel. :hoboy:
She usually outfishes me Wiz,but that don't take much.One fish is all it took on the Clack Sunday.Thanks again for the trip.Hope to see ya out there whoopin on them next Sunday.
Mark and the very awake dog.

[Keta]

Flatfish'

They are Curado 201's. There is a smaller Curado called 101's

201 link (http://fish.shimano.com/baitcasting/curado_200/curado_200.html)

101 link (http://fish.shimano.com/baitcasting/curado_100/curado_100.html)

[John]

I have three Curados and they are the best casting reel for the money. Alot easier to cast then the other reels otu there. Thats what I would go with, or you can step up to the plate and get her a Calais. I fish that reel on my IMX and it is a awesome piece of equipment. Maybe, try a Stradic spinning reel. I have two and they are really nice, and are perfect for somebody that has a hard time with level lines.

[omnivore]

The 201 also comes in BSF model which a major fishing publication said is worth the extra 30 bucks. It suppose to cast farther by disengaging the spool when casting, although the larger 'whiffle' spool reduces the capacity a little.

[Popeye]

And I thought he was tired of fishing and was now looking for a wife graemlins/hearton.gif

[TH]

Its amazing how similar some of our problems are... :smile:

I started my wife on a currado 101.. small enough for her to handle, easy to learn, casts very well. etc.
She picked up one of my chronarch's late last year and fell in love.. she now wants the SF model. Anyway... spend the extra money and get her a curao 101.. and fill it with #12 mono.
it doesnt hold a ton of line, but you really dont need 300yards.. and if I had a steelie taking 100yards of line I dont think my chances of recovering woud be very good let alone hers..
she will love the small frame..

Just a few points from past experience.. dont give up on the spinning rod..especially from a boat.. unless I am anchored up or casting from the bank, I always throw my spinning rod first(now equiped with a new sustain.. I cant wait for steelie season)
and dont take her fishing to teach her how to cast that new curado.. take her to your local lot (our HS football field works great!) Spend the afternoon casting to a towel , play games.. move the towel, short casts, long casts, flips, small tosses etc.. I even made her wear her columbia omni tech jacket.. I think we started w/ 1/2 oz and moved to 3/8 and 1/4.

I also have her on a couple 993 (8'3" 6-12#) rods.. and even one 9000 (7'6" 6-15#) they are easier for her to throw.. my wife is 5'8" but still like the smaller rods..

It is amazing how it will improve your casting ability and you'll probably catch more fish!

Anyway.. I have been there good luck..

[ 09-16-2002, 01:54 PM: Message edited by: TH ]

[Flatfish]

She can cast a baitcaster well enough.It is just a size thing.Thanks to all of you for the links everyone.Looks like a Curado 201b will fill the bill.
See you on the water.
Mark and the sleeping dog.