What is your reel of choice?

[Adam]

Im looking at buying a new reel for drift fishing for winter steelhead. What is your favorite level wind reel for drift fishing light tackle? My spinning reel days are over for drift fishing! Price really isn't a factor because I want something decent that will last a while! Like I said, this would be used pretty much exclusively for steelhead drift fishing. Thanks for the suggestions!

[Fshklr]

Adam,

Here's what was suggested a couple days ago. Some good advice in there.
Reel Advice

For a lite reel I like my Calcuta CT-51's.

[blacktail]

Hey Keta,

How much 10 lb. test do those 51's hold?

Wondering if they'd work for steelies, or if I'd be better off trying a 151?

Thanks,
Mike

[Fish Hawg]

Shimano Curado 201 or a
Daiwa Millionaire CV-Z 202. LA I use both

[GOT2FISH]

How about a Curado BSF Smooooth [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

[sliverslinger]

my reel choice is the quantum 1421 or the 1311. they have always been good to me.

blacktail,
Not enough reel for bank fishing unless you like to run down the bank. I was close to being spooled on the Wilson fishing in Travis Moncrief drift boat. It was a big strong fish, around 19lbs or so, and I had about 10 wraps of 20lb Power Pro on the spool when I finally stooped the run. I also had a burnt thumb.

They cast better than my Curado's and weigh 1.1oz less.

[Adam]

Great suggestions! It probably would have helped to use the search feature I recently purchased a couple ambassadeur 5601ab reels and they are the biggest piece of junk I have ever seen! They worked great for maybe a couple days of fishing then just froze up and quit working (drag adjustment wouldn't work and you could hardly pull line off the spool). I thought it might have just been that particular reel until i used the other one. Needless to say they both hit the garbage (after they hit the ground several times :grin: )

[ 12-22-2003, 08:49 PM: Message edited by: Adam ]

[First Light Bite]

Shimano Scorpion Antares.......Its so sweet. 11 ball bearings,6.2 to 1 gears, super free spool that casts like a dream, awsome drag. Have used it 2 seasons now for steelhead and Coho up in Alaska its very well built probably landed over 200 fish on it so far and no problems. Its only available in Japan so look on ebay. :smile:

[steelhead22]

Shimano Curado

[rhansme]

I love my Curado Scorpions. I have both left and right handed. I have to admit though, I used my ole Ambasedur 5500 C3 Which I have had for many years last week. It still has a smooth drag and fishes very well. If $ is no object Curado or better...If $ matters...Ambassadeur 5500 C3. Long lasting and tough as nails.

[Adam]

Looks like I am going to go with the Curado 201. What is so special about the BSF model?

[ 12-22-2003, 09:15 PM: Message edited by: Adam ]

[blacktail]

Thanks Keta. Sounds like it may be a little small for "banking" it.

I've used an old Bantam 201 for years, but recently switched to a Curado BSF. It's a really smooth reel, but I'm having a hard time getting used to the thumb bar after using the Bantam and Ambassadeurs.

Mike

blacktail,
I fried a Bantam BMP 51 catching 100's of steelhead on Ketchikan Creek. I bought a Curado to fish with until the parts came in for the Bantam. When I got the Bantam back together it became my backup reel.

Use your Curado and you will learn to like the thumb bar.

[SteelDrifter]

I fished a Abu Garcia and later a Shimano Curado for many years. 3 years ago I purchased a used Scorpion 1500 from Japan,(allmost the same thing as the Curado). My opinion is that the Scorpion casted better and had a better drag, but the price of a used one is about the same as a new Curado. Also you can't buy a new Scorpion 1500 anymore,(no longer making them) I fished the Scorpion for about a year, and it is a good reel for about 125.00. For the next season, I deceided I wanted something better. I Seen a reel review on the Shimano Calcutta Conquest on Japantackle.com and decided I hade to have one. Specs are: 11 ball bearing bait caster. gear ratio 5.8:1, reel weight 9.3 oz, line capacity 8/210,10/190,14/110. I purchased this reel for steelhead fishing and it is with out a dought, the best small bait caster I have ever owned. This is a very smooth reel and the casting performance is the best. A little spendy at 325.00 but well worth the money. The largest fish,(of many) that I have cought using this reel is a 20+ native steelhead and a 40+ king salmon. So, if you have the money to spend, its a dandy reel.

[Flatfish]

Zebco 202 spooled with Stren.

Mark and the Snoopy pole dog.

[Fish Finder]

Daiwa Millionaire CVZ 103/203

[crabbait]

The BSF has a "whiffle" spool and casts like a dream. Very little resistance in the spool.

[Riverkeeper]

Mark- Right on.

[reel guru]

I would recommend either a Curado BSF or a Castaic BSF. The BSF has a whiffle spool plus a bearing supported pinion system. The bearing allows for as little friction as possible. Great when using lightweight lures/rigs. Also, best choice for bobber/jig. The Castaic SF can be re-engaged without hitting the handle. Pretty cool. :smile:

[TH]

Shimano Chronarch 100
Upgrade bearing and rocket fuel
you're in business...

[salmurai]

Shimano Calcutta 200TEGT, if money is not a problem.

[Mark Vickers]

Well, I'll tell you one thing to not buy...

I'm pretty much totally dissatisfied with my Shimano Calyx.

I'm on my second one (the first one I returned to Shimano on warranty). They replaced it with a rebuilt one. This one has a whole set of new problems

On a positive note, not that you'd use this for steelhead, but I sure do love my Penn 113HLW 4/0 reel. Now that is a hardcore piece of TUNA! and sturgeon reelin' machinery.

Oh, I guess I better sign this since I gave a negative review...

-Mark Vickers

[willametteriveroutlaw]

Pretty much any shimano reel under a curado or calcuttas are *** IMHO. That being said I love my curados and calcuttas.

[Full Freezer]

I own both the Shimano Curado "plain jane" & the "super free" & use them both often. In fact, used them both yesterday for steelies on the Skykomish river.

The "super free" casts about 50ft. farther and is my favorite of the two.

The Abu sits in the box (bench) & waits for the Curados to fry. Hasn't happened yet.

[AnnaDraMoss]

Team Diawa 103HiA. My jaw hit my shoelaces the first time I casted it. AWESOME.

[DAB]

Shimano 201 SG Bantam mag. Darn good reel if you can find them.
DAB

[ 12-23-2003, 08:21 PM: Message edited by: DAB ]

[parthur]

Shimano Calcutta 50, Shimano Bantam 1000, Shimano Bantam 200, Ambassadeur 3500C.............

I use them all, most of the time on the same trip,
drift rod, bobber & jig rod, plug rod, back-up rod etc.

You can't5 go wrong with any of these.

IMHO,

Pat

[TH]

It's amazing.. I have all of these fancy "super" reels, loaded with all of the high tech super lines, and the state of the art rods,
yet my dad goes oout every year with the same 1025c rods, and Bantam 100 reel with 12# Maximua UG, and out fishes everyone, everyday, every hole! Go figure....

I sure enjoy atching him in action.... there is a certain stretch on the SF of the Coquille where he is automatic, and almost calls his shots! Pretty cool!

You guys have a great Holiday!
God Bless

[riverwild]

Curado SF 201!!!!!!!!!! No question about it.

[AnnaDraMoss]

TH. As you know , a guy like your dad isnt lucky because of the gear he's using. He's a skilled artist. I have a freind that when steelheading with him he will get this grin on his face and tell you when he is going to hook a fish, and I'll be d*mned if it doesnt happen. Very cool to watch.

[TH]

Yes
you are correct
there is something said for being, as we call it, "fishy"

Merry Christmas!