Amanda's Question

[Seanstone]

Rylan and myself have been buying a few new set ups here and there, and Amanda has been getting my leftovers. Well the other day she broke it to me that she was going to buy two new reels for herself this Christmas. She's currently using two abu 6000s. She wants a reel that has a line capacity in between a 6000 (145yds/ 14#)and a 7000(235yds/17#), a drag of over 12lbs, and one that can cast further than a abu 6000. My immediate response was...."get a 6500 pro rocket." They have 15lbs drag and will cast further and smoother, but they have the same line capacity. Needless to say she doesn't know what to do, and she won't listen to me because she thinks I want her to buy a reel that I want. So what do you guys think she should get? She is willing to spend $180 on each reel....and it has to be levelwind.

[Smoothkip]

Check out the Abu 7000HSN. I just sold one to BassMassey. They cast great, line capacity between a 6000 and 7000. Whats her reasoning for only wanting that much line capacity? Shimano makes a 500 Tekota tol that's just a slight bit smaller than a 7000 Abu. Them Tekotas are a tough reel.

[Smoothkip]

Also The 7000 abus have a line capacity of 325 yards of 17#

[Seanstone]

Thanks for the advice. Sorry i must have put the numbers in the wrong order. It happens quite often, I might be dyslexic. I don't think its a line capacity issue as much as it is a size issue. She just doesn't like the way the 7000 feels. I think her hands are too small and its hard for her to handle (cast and reel) a reel that size. I have 3 7000's and she wont use any of them. Also the reels with smaller line capacities seem to cast further. Thanks for the advice. I told her to look into the takotas as well, maybe she will listen to some one else's opinions. What do you think of the smaller penn reels?

Oh and I forgot to mention that she wants a loose clicker. Her 6000's have the old style clickers that are really easy to pull out, unlike the 7000's.

[Smoothkip]

The tekotas are perfect then. 500 size. Just a touch bigger than a 6000 or 6500. Clickers are looser than an Abu 7000 also. They run around 180 most places Dave has the 600 series for 150 something. Maybe you could talk to him about prices. I'm buying the 600s after the Holidays.

[Smoothkip]

My opinion the Penns don't cast as well. There good dependable reels but don't seem to be what she would be interested in. That's just me though

[Seanstone]

I looked at the hsn and its line capacity was perfect, but the clicker looked to be similar to the 7000 style. I was under the assumption that Penn reels where geared more toward ocean fishing from a boat. Trolling more or less. Also the only Penn's i have looked at have crazy tight clickers. Definitely not what she wants. I think I'll have her look into the takotas then.

I'm always amazed at how knowledgeable people are on so many different aspects of catfishing. To know that much about so many reels, is crazy. Doug Stange always mocks the typical dumb cat fisherman stereotype. Just another case here. I guess all you have to do is ask. Thanks.

[Smoothkip]

The reasoning I have for the Tekotas is that alot of guides and guys that fish the James river use them. Capt Hugh has a few and told me there the best reels he's owned, that's coming from someone that uses them a ton. I always use them when I go down. Strong drags, light weight and cast real well. They have a clicker indicator for the drag also which I like. And like you said they have a good bait clicker but not as stiff as an Abu. You also have to manually engage the spool by the lever. You can't just reel and it engages.

[Seanstone]

There's no doubt that capt. Hugh's knows a good reel when he sees one. Shimano makes quality products, and always have according to a few oldtimers I know. I have a voltaeus bass rod that will bend end to end like an ugly stick and it has way more sensitivity. I've never had a reel from them, they usually run pretty high compared to abus. I'll see if Amanda will let me play with hers. lol.

[Skyline1506]

that clicker function on the drag is awesome you know exactly hom much pressure you are putting on or taking off. that is a key function i will look for from now on. Yea penns are geared toward trolling and will cast like a trolling reel.

[bigdav]

Dec 5, 2011 9:24:51 GMT -5 Skyline1506 said:

Yea penns are geared toward trolling and will cast like a trolling reel.

This was the case for Penns for many years but the new Penn Fathoms cast with the best of them. All the reals mentioned are great reels but I would highly suggest getting her hands on all the reels before you buy. Maybe a trip to a Bass pro or Cabelas and let her feel the reel.

[Seanstone]

Bass pro doesn't carry much at all. They have a few abus and some large penns, really dissapointing. I asked a guy behind the counter why they didn't carry a larger selection of cat reels and he laughed and said no one buys the larger reels.

The more I hear about the takotas the more I like them.

[bassmassey]

the penn gti series ,310's and 320's throw real good but they are harder to throw then the ambassaduer's (sp?)......

I do like the 7000 hsn big game's a lot.......i now have three of the new style ones thanks to kip! they have a narrow spool so they aren't as big as the regulaur 7000's.......and they throw a country mile paired with the right rod....and the new style ones (the black one) the clicker seems to give with less tension then the old 7000's......

although I like the old school ones that were gold the best.......i had two of them that got jacked out of my car last year, along with two of my other favorite setups.....the new style ones retail kinda high though, I don't know if I would pay the suggested retail for them...........I found two on ebay last winter after alot of my gear got stolen for $113 ea.........they should have them at basspro if she wants to check them out first........i wouldn't pay bass pro price though....

[bassmassey]

on another note, your girl can throw a baitcaster? that's awesome!!! she gotta sister? lmao

[Seanstone]

Thanks for the advice Aaron. She's got a decision to make and I'm gonna leave it up to her. Personally I like abu's because they are durable and easy to get parts for, and I can nearly take one apart blindfolded now. So I do my own repairs, which is a definite plus. I imagine that the shimano tekota will have a similar schematic.

Yea she has been for a few years now. She was throwing a baitcaster before I could get her to put her own bait on. Lol. To be honest the learning curve was quick, I don't remember her ever having too much problem, but the abu 6000s are pretty easy to cast.

She has a sister, but she's married and she doesn't fish. Kinda the high end type.

Jordan, I know you mentioned that you mentioned the clicker functinon on the drag of the tekota. I searched high and low and I cant find any videos or reviews of it. Can you (or anyone else) elaborate a little more on it? I have a abu kalex that clicks when you tighten the drag up and down, but I'm not sure if thats what your reffereing to or not.