Matching Reel

[Raven1]

You all put in you 2 cents worth about rods. Now, what would be a good in-expensive casting reel to go with Thillman's rod choice?

I've been spinning an Okuma for a while, but I've been told it's time to upgrade to a casting reel. :grin:

[GOT2FISH]

I learned the hard way and wasted alot of money. Due some research and find a reel you like save up and get it youll save a ton of money. I love the Carado bsf and my 6500 C-4s are work horses, I'm sorry I spent so much on reels I didnt like.

[husker]

i use the 5501c from ambassador.....or u can go 1 size bigger and use the 6500 series reels....

[BUBBA911]

Ill second the curado bsf 201 if you like lefty or the 200 if you like righty.. same with the calcutta 250 ro 251 great reels..

[Stz ll]

Once you use a Calcutta you just can't use anything else.

[Chromaflage]

Curado or Calcutta, my friend.

--Trust the talent :grin:

ORS

[cotalot]

I own an Ambassedeur 5500 and a Shimano Cardiff and love them both. For steelhead and Coastal Kings, they're poison. I was recently given a Pflueger Trion as a gift and I can't imagine a better steelhead reel, though I'm not sure I'd want to subject it to a steady diet of chinook salmon. Anyone have experience with the Pflueger for kings?

[spinner53]

Cotolot, BassProShops has their version of the Trion, reg 79.99 now 49.99. It's really smooth, wants to cast, mines lefty w 6.3 to 1 ratio. talk about getting your line in for the next cast. I also like the click mechanism in the drag star. Most of the better spinning reels have, and i can't wait to hook a fish on it. It's called their extreme baitcast reel, it greenish, kinda like Ty's shimano. If you visit the website, and click on the reel, it shows a few different shots of it, one's the bare frame.
Mine mounted on a 8 to 12 lb. rated Buzz Ramsey IM7 Berkley. Did I say it wants to cast !!

[Steeliefly]

A Curado or Calcutta is awful hard to beat - pony up the $$ and be happy. The Curado casts further than the Calcutta, but the Calcutta's drag is better. For inexpensive - Ambassadeurs are good - 4500 to 5500 series. Recommend you work an Ambassadeur hard for a while to get it to loosen up so it will cast better/further. The ones I have used can be a little tight out of the box.

[cotalot]

The one thing that I don't like about the Shimano Cardiff and the Pflueger, is that the levelwind only travels with the spool when reeling in. It does not travel with the spool on casting or when a fish is stripping off line on drag. It sure doesn't seem to affect the pflueger, though. The thing casts light presentations really well, even better than my 5500, on which the levelwind travels when casting.

[Norski]

I like and use 6500cl-3 and 5500cl-3

I use them so much they are in the shop being touch up for SPRINGERS.

You can't go wrong with them.

6500---$65.00 on sale.

5500---$55.00 on sale.

[Twitchs_Tackle]

It really depends on hwo you plan on using it. Steelhead primarily? Salmon primarily? Both an equal amount? There are some great little reels that work awesome for pitchin small steelie rigs, my preference being Curados or Castaics, but I would not use them on repeated chinook battles.
As for salmon, a 'meatier' reel such as the Calcuttas, or the more budget friendly Abu C-4's or even C-3 can work well.
BEST ADVICE: Try before you Buy! See if you can borrow a friends reel or find someone who may want to team up fishing for a day, see if they'll let you make a few casts, see how it works for them.
Grant Scheele has (had ) some Curados for sale for about $90 I think. This would be a great price on this reel. Plus, they have good fishing mojo imbeded in them

[B-run]

I would vote Curado for steelhead driftfishing.
But you will need to replace the drag washers occasionally. Hot fish burn them up after time.