Bait Caster

[capefisherman]

I need some advice about buying a bait caster. This will be my first bait casting reel (i grew up on spinning reels.) I have a St. Croix Tide master 7', m action, fast tip rod and dont know what kind of reel to stick on it. Ill be red drum fishing and spec. fishing in nc. Any suggestions? I know the shimano curado is a favorite around where i am. Thanks guys..... Cape

[Capt_John]

Abu-Garcia 550C# or the 6500C3 is a great choice. depends on how heavy you want to fish. The 6500 is a little heavier..

[Capt_John]

Abu-Garcia 550C# or the 6500C3 is a great choice. depends on how heavy you want to fish. The 6500 is a little heavier..

I meant the Abu-garcia 5500C3, not 550C.

[brandon558]

Quantum PT Cabo..My personal favorite inshore baitcasting reel. I have it on a 7' St. Croix aswell and have had zero problems. I have caught everything from 1lb speks to 40lb drum on this reel. Braided line of course.

Heres a link

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catal...rTarget=browse

Hope this helps

[Sea Dog]

Cape,
I have had several baitcasters and would tell you my favorites by far are the Shimano Calcuttas. I have a 200 and 400 TE and use these reels far more than anything else. The 200 works great for stripers and blues and the 400 will do the trick for about anything...Big Rock,, Drum, amberjack etc.

[tater]

abu garcia record 60 or 50, its stainless with brass gears and smooth as a babys butt and i think you would be very happy with it, sale for about 149.99 to 159.99

[2dogs1949]

I bought a Shimano Curado DSV this spring. I really like it. I have caught stripers to 30 pounds with it no problem. I spooled with 14 lb mono Vanish.

[gradywhite273]

Im with seadog on this, my calcuttas perform flawlessly.

[SeaBiscuit]

I vote (and use) calcuttas as well. Stay away from the pen internationals. If you are on a budget the ambassadors are very reliable.
Good luck,
SeaBiscuit

[Squid]

Neill,
You probably already know what I'm going to tell you......Calcutta or Curado 300DSV all the way!! I think I told you that I've got a 400 and use it for everything from flounder to mahi's. (It's a little much for flounder but it's not too much over the top.) The Curado 300DSV is a reel that we came out with last year specifically designed for the inshore saltwater and large freshwater market. The Curado has more pulling power than the Calcutta 400TE (which has been the staple for this type fishing for years), capable of 15 lbs of drag (this is measured by "one finger tight" and not wrenching on the drag----it's actually capable of much more than 15 lbs if you really tighten it down), and is by far the easiest reel to cast. You'll be able to throw lures way farther than with the Calcutta and with very very few backlashes. This is due to the very lightweight spool which requires very little energy to get it moving and keep moving. The Curado 300DSV is also much easier and comfortable to hold on to in comparison to the Calcutta or any other round reel for that matter since it is a low profile casting reel. No worries about the saltwater messing up either one---both were built for this market and made to handle the stress and abuse.
It just so happens that I may be willing to part with my Calcutta 400 if you're interested in it.....