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Posts: 2024
| Who's a lefty and what do you use? Why?
Which ones have you found to be "not-so-good"? My father's in need of a new one after blowing up his 5601C4 tonight (last night, whatever, it's all a blur...). Thanks. |
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Posts: 380
Location: Il | I have tried a few out. Corsair 301 and 401 were ok, Cardiff 301 didnt like, quantum iron was ok, abus I dont like the thumb buttoms but work good, and right now I use tica camains 201 and they are my favorite. I wish they made there leftys in the 150 size. Never really tried anything over 100.00 like the calcuttas or anything so I dont know about the top end stuff. |
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Posts: 2894
Location: Yahara River Chain | Who's a lefty and what do you use?
Most leftys I know use the reels with the crank on the right side. This makes sense as they don't need to switch hands. If the right handed person was smart they too wouldn't switch hands while casting, you know like they do with a spinning reel.
Now, what happened to the 5601C4? What does "blow up" mean? Did someone place TNT in the thing? If so you need a Private Eye, not a new reel. I've had reels that I set the hook hard into a stump and I blew out the gears, but I'd think I could do that with any reel seeing that I am right handed and have all that power of my dominate hand to set the hook. But I've had very good luck with the ABUs. If it something your dad did to it, it will likely happen to any reel he uses.
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Posts: 2024
| Let me rephrase that. Who uses left handed reels and what is your favorite (or one you dislike most)? What say you about the Shimanos?
No TNT was involved in the destruction of his C4. This same problem happened to him about two years ago. He can disengage and re-engage the reel, but upon turning the handle cannot pick up ANY line. I just shot mine the other day too. Anti-reverse went out and it won't engage. Never again. |
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Posts: 214
Location: Central Iowa | I'm right handed but have always used left handed reels, it just feels right and you don't ever have to switch hands after a cast. I have a Abu C4 that I rarely use, I'm just not a big fan of the reel. A couple years ago I bought a Pflueger Trion which is around $80, its not the smoothest reel but I love it, its a casting machine and I've never have had a problem with it. Last year I bought a Tica Caimen CM201 and after about 2 hours of fishing with it the paint started to chip off the reel. The Tica didn't cast nearly as good as the pflueger so I quit using it for awhile. I decided to open it up and found that there was only 2 of the plastic centrifical weights installed on the 6 available cogs so I put the other 4 on and haven't tested it since, I'm guessing it will cast a lot better. The Tica is definitely a much smoother reel than the pfuegler so hopefully it performs a lot better now. |
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Posts: 1996
Location: Pelican Lake/Three Lakes Chain | I too am a righthander that fishes lefty. I think I am doing it right, the rest of the world is messed up, but that's another subject.
I use all Abu products. For the price they are extremely good reals. Regular maintenance keeps them happy for a long time, and Abu's customer service is second to none. Here is my line up;
Big Game 7001 -- Bucktails and Spinnerbaits
6501 SSC3 -- Topwaters and Cranks
6601C4 -- Jerkbaits and Gliders
Everyone complains about the reels we use and abuse, but give them a little TLC and they will continue to perform for you for years. |
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Posts: 214
Location: Central Iowa | It just seems natural to use lefties to me, its more efficient, but I know we are the odd balls. What's weird is the norm for spinning reels is to have the crank on the left and the norm for baitcasting reels is for the to be crank on the right...it just doesn't make sense to me. |
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Posts: 115
| The best lefty reel that I've used is the Calcutta TE 401. I have two. Both have worked well for me. I use them for bucktails, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and crankbaits. I'd have more but they're just too expensive.
Johnny B |
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Posts: 374
Location: Bemidji | I also use the Calcutta TE's. They hold up the best. I also purchased 6 Abu 7001 HSN this winter but have not had a chance to use them. The regular Garcias 5601 and 6501 do not hold up to hard fishing. I have destroyed them in as little as a week. |
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Posts: 66
Location: Padova - Italy | nwild - 1/30/2006 8:40 AM
I too am a righthander that fishes lefty. I think I am doing it right, the rest of the world is messed up, but that's another subject.
This is exactly the same things I think.
I’m also righthander and use left handle baitcaster. Most Europeans do.
For me it is better don’t switch my hand and working the rod with the more sensible hand.
Have used the same Ambassadeurs for years with few, but not significant problems.
I like C3, C4 and the former Ultra Cast for their simplicity.
If a problem happen, most of the times I can repair myself with some spare things I carry.
Great tools for my long trips around the world.
Think that Calcutta and Millionaire are far better and smooth but for the hard game of pike/muskie fishing I like to use more “confident” tools.
Also I like to fish without the removable piece of plastic on the upper side of Abu, giving me more grip and hooksetting power.
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Posts: 2024
| Awesome, guys. Thanks for the replies. I use both left and right hand cranks. I can definately see the benefit of using left handed cranks, and the more natural feel. I think the 401 TE is out of his price range. Couple more questions.
Here's the other catch. In his old(er) age throwing big baits just plain wears him out. For instance, knowing he wouldn't last long throwing zig zag topwater or a hard thumping bucktail I opted to hook him up with prop style baits (less resistance) for our trip to Mille Lacs (he ended up kicking my arse too). He primarily throws spinnerbaits, bucktails, small twitch, 'traps, and topwater. Given the lures he primarily uses, what reel would best serve those purposes? I'm sort of leaning toward a C3 but want your opinions. Thanks! He appreciates this as much as I do! |
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| C3s would be less tiring. the ABU record 61HC could be worth a look too. It's got a thumbar which some people like and looks like it should be a good reel, but it is new and therefore unproven. |
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Posts: 214
Location: Central Iowa | For $80 I think its tough to beat the pflueger trion, but that's just my opinion from personal experiences. |
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Posts: 1536
Location: God's Country......USA..... Western Wisconsin | I am also a Righty that uses reels with the handle on the left side. I have had great sucess with the Shimano Calcutts 251s and have now graduated to a couple of 401 TEs for added line capacity. The 401s really rock what a great reel. |
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Posts: 66
Location: Padova - Italy | crackpot - 1/30/2006 12:12 PM
For $80 I think its tough to beat the pflueger trion, but that's just my opinion from personal experiences.
I know this is a very good reel also for the money.
My friend Bob Pieske, a very good muskie angler and contributor of this forum, use this reel and like it.
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Posts: 2024
| How about any of the Shimano lefty's (aside from the expensive Calcs)? Talking the Corvalus and/or Cardiffs. |
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Posts: 374
Location: Bemidji | I bought 5 of the Cardiff 401s last year and never had a problem with them. I throw alot of mag dawgs, hawg spins, and big gliders. In my opinion, this is the best lefty for around $100. |
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Posts: 56
| Fellow lefty-sufferer. (Muskihntr & Hooper are tired of hearing this--but I didn't start the thread this time, so I'm o.k.) Cast right & retrieve left. Also still looking for best lefty reel.
1. Have a TICA 251 & it's o.k. but big & clutsy. Not the most comfy reel I've ever seen. Has yet to completely gain---or lose-my confidence. Juries still out, but I haven't fallen head over heels for it. Like I said: feels clumsy.
2. Have Calcutta 401 TE. Very nice reel when functional, but it blew up last year. They sent a brand new one, but that doesn't inspire a ton of confidence. Reel repair guy said he has seen several with similar problems 7 wouldn't recommend them anymore. Very $$. Can't decide if it's worth another one.
3. Had C4, blew that up. Still don't know what's wrong. Older UltraCast C-3s went down eventually too. Kinda curious whether 2006 upgrades will help. May consider another 2006 C3/C4, especially as backups.
4. Best reels: Daiwa 253 LA. No question. Problems: not being made anymore, not enough line capacity for some uses. Never made 300 size in lefty & doesn't look like they will make the Luna in lefty. If you don't mind smaller reels, look for these!!!
This year: will probably try a Cardiff or Trion. Like the other post, seems like guys have done o.k. with Cardiff. Local reel guys I trust said they are pretty darn good. Curious about Trion--some guys like it, have also heard they don't last.
Bottom line: all reels suck eventually. Ask 10 guys you will get 10 different opinion. They vary so much it's hard to form a general opinion of any single one. My approach is spend as much as you can on your primary reels, then buy affordable backups. Whatever you buy, BETTER HAVE A BACKUP.
If you find a great lefty, let us all know!
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Posts: 364
Location: Kentucky | Esox50,
I've used a bunch of the ones mentioned. I'd still recommend the 6601CB (red reel) Abu from Cabela's for your dad. Thumb bar, hi speed.
My fav is the 401TE, but to be fair, I had bad experiences with it at first. Had to be fixed twice when I first got it.
Had a Shimano Catala 401 but the gears stripped first two days.
Have used Abu 5601CB, 6601CB, 7001 and they've lasted great for years.
If they made a lefty Morrum or Diawa Luna, that'd be great.
Just my two cents... |
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Posts: 793
Location: Ames, Iowa | Norm Wild and the Crackpot got it right on in my opinion. Buy your dad a new 5601 C3. It is smaller (which will result in less hand fatigue) and lighter than the 6501, and has a thumbbar. Best warranty in the world. Why would any righty want to change hands after the cast? My strongest endorsement, and just my opinion.
Don |
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Posts: 384
Location: Eagle River, Alaska | The Calcutta TE 401 is great.....besides musky have lots of kings on it with no problems. Price wise, though, I have a Calcutta 251 I have used very hard since they first came out....including casting big stuff for skis.....and it has worked well also. It's line capacity is not great and I don't do extensive musky fishing (unfortunately  ) but I could see the gears starting to go on the smaller reel after stopping large baits while casting for skis almost exclusively. I have a Abu 6501 and 5501 which have been used extensively for years.....they seem to take a beatin and keep on tickin. Hard to beat for the money.
Alaskan Boy,
Brian |
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Best Lefty Reel