A little bigger salmon reel

[tag-a-long]

I have been fishing the 5501 for salmon and steelies. I am wanting a little bigger reel to hold about 200 yds. of power pro, or tuffline. Anyone have any reccomendations? I am trying to work within a budget, so the calcuttas are out. Anybody using the C4 abus? Thanks in advance!

[glowball]

I have one of the c4 6501 reels on one of my salmon rods. Works great for me. Check ebay for good deals.

[WheresMyBobber]

My favorite salmon reel is the 6501 C3. I've got several of those and one C4. When I bought the C4, I thought it would become my new favorite, but it hasn't. There's nothing wrong with it, but for some reason I just like the feel of the C3's better.

[judyfish99]

I have been using a Quantum Iron IR410CX which is a salt water reel. Kinda looks like a Shimano Calcutta. Has 6.3:1 gears, Fishermans wanted 89.99 for it, but bought it on sale for 74.99...Team it with a good pole and there you go! :grin:

I like to use my Penn 10 but Penn discontinued them a few years ago. A 6500 (or 6501) C3 or C4 would work just fine.

[luguando]

I recently bought an abu 6501 TCS for one of my rods. I really like it. It has an additional ball bearing like the C4 but has the gear ratio of the C3. Plus it has a counter weighted handle that feels pretty good. Another decent reel in the same price category is the Shimano Catala. It is built much like the Calcutta but has a cast aluminum body instead of machined aluminum.

[Hooker]

Your 5501 will handle any salmon if you load it with 50 or 80# Tuff Line.

[Dakotan]

I have a 5501 C4 that I use for steelies and cohos and a 6601 C3 that I love for salmon. The 6501 or 6601 will hold plenty of Tufline or any kind of braided line. Both are good reels.

[5-Cents]

If you got the $$$ try this for salmon you wont be sorry, the drag is like butta! :grin:

5 Cents,
Although I agree with you the following quote puts a $$$ limit on what should be recommended.

I am trying to work within a budget, so the calcuttas are out

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[ 03-05-2004, 08:58 AM: Message edited by: Keta ]

[5-Cents]

Oh, I guess I should read... sometimes you can pick one up cheap on ebay.

[hot wire]

I bought one of those Calcutta 401's!

I am soooooo ready to test the smooth drag on a springer. :smile: :smile: I bought an Abu/G. 6501 last fall for chinook. Boy that was a mistake....the drag went to crap by the 4Th fish. I took it to Olly Damon's a month ago and he (they)laughed and suggested I get a better drag system/reel. Apparently the problem with the drag is a know concern. Anyway, a month later @ the Sportsman's show BINGO. I am so excited. I'm putting it on a one piece Rouge Rod. I looked at several rods and found the Rogue to be the most sensitive and strong too.

Tom

[judyfish99]

The next reel I would like to have, and it maybe helpful to you, is a line counter. Haven't heard too much about them, but it would make sense if backbouncing. Catch a fish, but note the number on the counter. Then backbounce back to the same number. Got a big paycheck today, so may visit my buddie in the fishing department at Sportmans to check one out. Any suggestions, guys( or gals)? Ifish people are the best! [img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img]

I love MY Calcutta 51's and would like to have a 400 or two. If he could come up with the extra $$$ it would be a better choice. I spent my reel budget on an AVET JX4.1:1 for albacore and can't afford any more reels this year :depressed:

Judy,
I don't like line counters. Just pull out the line in 18" pulls and count 'em.

[ 03-05-2004, 09:12 AM: Message edited by: Keta ]

[judyfish99]

Okey Dokey! Just some people pull different lengths like this woooman. Just thought it may be more accurate to the sweet fishing spot. I'll save my money for a boat. Gotta take a shower and check out how Meldrum is doing. Really learning alot from this site. Still think you guys (& gals) are the best!! [img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img]

Don't get me wrong here, there is nothing wrong with line counters, I just don't like them. There is no real reason, just personal preferences for minimum mechanical things to break.

Try to do your "pull" from the reel to the first eye on your rod. This way the "pull" is somewhat uniform.

[Gun Rod Bow]

Tag,

I've had 3 Shimano Catalas 401's for boat rods for the last 2 years. The drags tend to let off a click or two of line every minute or so when backtolling in heavy current, but I have also used them for casting (like off the beach in Mexico recently) and the drags are plenty smooth and twice the reel as any of the Abu's IMO.

I just had them serviced at Ollies after 2 years of hard pounding and they are now like new and ready for the season.

I also have Calcuttas and TE's. For the money, I think the Catala is the best value. I used one all fall for bobbering chinook, keeping a short leash on them with 40# leader, no regrets. Cast smooth once you adjust the weights inside.

I've tried the 251, and smoked the drags in about 2 months, too small of drags I guess.

The Catala 400 or 401's are about $100.

Good luck

[k9jeff]

I have an okuma Nytrix x400 for salmon out of the boat. I also have ABU's, but the nytrix impressed me. Holds some serious line, smooth and the price is not bad.

[tag-a-long]

Thanks for the info. I have a catala 200, and my 5501 casts about 10 yds farther on average with the same steup. I knew I could count on you all for good advice! Thanks Guys!

[weekend warrior]

Hey Tag, you might want to check out the new Quantums. I just got a new Cabo since I had some gift certificate money to spend at cabela's. This real runs about 159.99. They have another model that runs about 79.99. Check it out at Sportmans. It will hold 270/14.
Hope this helps

[YaHoeeFishOn]

I have bunch Abu's 5000 red, 5500 silver, 6000 black, 6500 blue , The retrieve on the 6500c4 is geared a little high. When retrieving big flat fish out behind boat your wrist can get tired from that steep gearing and heavy plugs. 6.5:1 ? where the others are 5.3:1 I think without searching it up. I'm not fond of the rubber handles on new reel either. But I do like them , I've never had problem with drag on one. I do back drags off when storing. The original 5000 with thumb cast did break a tooth in main gear from me breaking of on a stump and it chiped tooth. Oli Damons did the replacement and did install new drag clutches and washers. .

[jajones]

I would have to suggest the Shimano Tekota 500 I have 2 of them never used a smoother reel.....But with the money issue i would have to go for the catala 400 I have one of those also and they are just as smooth.. The thing I noticed with the abu's is the jerky drag... Shimano is the way to go!! In my opinion! Good luck! :tongue:

[Elwix]

The Tekota looks nice, but it doesn't come in a left hand retrieve. That might not matter to everyone, but it matters to me. The Catala comes in a left hand. I don't have a Catala yet, but I'm thinking about it.