Reel idea.....

justasillyolgirl · 12-21-2003, 07:19 AM

I need to get a lighter weight levelwind and am not sure which will work best for me. I'll be using it for steelhead predominantly, bank fishing. Oh, and it's got to be a lefty. Any ideas thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

Julie

royalfish · 12-21-2003, 07:26 AM

You might want to try a Calcutta 251, awesome reel with great drag system. If the $$ are too much, the ambassadors are always a good bet

Wack 'em!

Chromaflage · 12-21-2003, 07:28 AM

Two words - Shimano Curado

(second to only the Calcutta in my book)

ORS

Fshklr · 12-21-2003, 07:55 AM

Silly,
For a good price 99.99 a low profile reel with great performance is the Pflueger/Trion. all the bells and whistles. I just picked one up last night after using one last friday..very very sweet, and the price was within my budget. I was at fishermans.
I am an abassador diehard 6000 and 6500 in my arsenal but wanted something low profile to fish the narrow rivers. The Fplueger should do you well.

[ 12-21-2003, 09:01 AM: Message edited by: Fshklr ]

Holehog · 12-21-2003, 08:05 AM

Been using Shimano Curado CU-201's for Steelhead since about 1996. I have a few and have never had a problem, cast great, great drag and open architecture enables quick removal of the "Professional Over-run" ie: Backlash. Plenty of line capisity for Steelhead.

ampersat · 12-21-2003, 09:08 AM

Fshklr beat me to it. I got a Pflueger Solara a year or so ago and love it. That little guy landed a 25# nook just a few weeks ago. The Trion is the next step up in the line and yet still reasonably priced. Too bad they don't make 'em in lefty.

HOGGEMIN · 12-21-2003, 12:01 PM

Curado BSF 201

Pickles · 12-21-2003, 12:03 PM

I would have to go with the Pflueger Trion as well. I picked one up on ebay a few months back, and I have to say that is one sweet reel.

steelheadslayer · 12-21-2003, 12:05 PM

Amp, they make the trion in a lefty. Try Fishermans or Bobs in Longview.

Sillyolgirl, I have a curado 201bsf which I feel is the ultimate steelhead reel. Plus, Shiomano's been around for a really long time and they will be able to service it. Pfleuger has also been around so maintenance shouldn't be an issue. I've been looking at the Quantum 1421MG and it's relatively sweet for 69.99. The only problem with that is that Quantum has a problem supplying their shops with parts or they'll quit making it like the 1311MG. If money isn't a premium influence you can get a curado 201b for 119.95 and maybe a little lower on sale right after Christmas.

weekend warrior · 12-21-2003, 12:10 PM

Shimano curado BSF 201. You can't go wrong with one of these. Best bang for the buck IMHO. Cost about $30-40 more than a standard curado but would be money well spent.
Good luck shopping for a reel.

PS I have a calcutta 151&251 and I would rather fish with a curado or a curado BSF anyday. Besides it doesn't have a metal frame so your hands don't get as cold.

Later Geoff

Fish_N_Russ · 12-21-2003, 12:42 PM

Ambassaduer 4601, NOT the Anti-Backlash model though as they are crap :smile: They are about $40 on Ebay brand new.

crabbait · 12-21-2003, 12:47 PM

Curado 201 or Curado BSF 201.

River · 12-21-2003, 01:10 PM

I agree about the Pflueger/Trion. It looks like a Curado copy but for a lot less money.

I have a Curado 201 and went to buy the BSF but after looking at the Trion ended up with that. I have only used the Pflueger/Trion one day on the river and also in the back yard. But the Trion casts way better than my Curado 201! I like the $99 instead of $150 for the BSF.

The Trion has bumped my Curado 201 off of my Loomis GL3. The Trion is now my favorite.

I got the Trion with a left hand crank but I had to special order it. They are available.

Fshklr · 12-21-2003, 01:33 PM

fishermans, Pflueger/Trion-righthand or lefthand off the shelf. $99.99 in stock saturday the 20th

Also online at G.I.Joes for $94 and change.

[ 12-21-2003, 02:38 PM: Message edited by: Fshklr ]

Rakkasan · 12-21-2003, 06:14 PM

Shimano Curado is all I use and have been for years. And they do handle like a dream.

Grip It-N-Rip It · 12-21-2003, 06:50 PM

Saw the curado in a place that started with a B and ended with a t and had 4 other letters in between for 119.95 and I don't think it was a sale price. I have one and I love it. If that don't work for you go with the abu they are easy to get parts for should you need them. I pulled one out of a river a few years back on a one piece G loomis took it in had it cleaned put on a new spool and drag washers and had a great reel ready to go.
Just my opinion

fatfish · 12-21-2003, 07:35 PM

Just keeps on ticking and doing the job--Curado 201............

justasillyolgirl · 12-21-2003, 09:25 PM

Well, I spoke with a buddy of mine tonight, he's got a couple different one's in his arsenal that he's willing to let me borrow to see how I like them. My problem is that I only have a Franklin to use AND I'm a lefty.

I REALLY appreciate all the info. I'll let you know when I figure out which one to pick up. I can see that I have a LOT of studying to do though.

Thanks
Julie

MasterCaster · 12-21-2003, 11:10 PM

Shimano Curado low profile and it casts like a dream. IMHO you cant go wrong with this reel.

Jon :smile: :grin: :smile:

blacktail · 12-21-2003, 11:16 PM

Another vote for Curado. You'd want the 201 model.

Mike

Tyeebuster · 12-21-2003, 11:54 PM

Curado 201

cutt plug · 12-21-2003, 11:59 PM

Another vote for the Pflueger Trion. I got one last year, it's smooth as silk. When I was shopping for reels many of the folks behind the counter felt they were comparable to the Curado BSF.

I see they have them in the lefty model this year.

Good luck