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Posts: 3480
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hi everyone,
Looking for a good low gear-ratio reel for turning the bigger tails and larger rubber baits. Prefer to keep cost down (below $180) if I can, which limits me quite a bit. I have been a fan of Ambassadeur reels throughout, and see there are quite a few of the 7000 models out there in the lower ratio 4.1:1. Now...being I have not had any in my hands, how do the models compare to each other?
Then...what else is out there that has the large spool capacity for picking up line quickly yet a lower gear ratio for cranking power?
Advanced thank you to all who reply..
Steve |
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Posts: 670
Location: Otsego, MN | I used a 7000 for 3 years for big blades and bulldawgs. I loved it! It finally gave out and I chose to go with the Penn, instead to of a new 7000. I like the Penn, it seems give me less fatigue, because I find it easier to palm. I think the newer 7000s are not built a tuff as they used to be. I have some buddies who go with the Penn now as well and they have had no problems. I think the Penn though may be a little higher $$ than the $180 you are looking for, I'm not sure what is runs but I got a sweet deal on mine. I think you would be happy though with the performance of the 7000. |
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Posts: 357
Location: Long Prairie, Minnesota | Got my vote for the 7000's. I have had mine for a couple of years now and love it. Throw double 10's all day long without a problem. One problem with the 7000's is that folks with smaller hands that palm the reel find them uncomfortable due to their size. Some guys have had problems with them, but I haven't and am planning on getting another one. |
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Posts: 282
Location: north west wisconsin | another vote for 7000, only downside is they are a big and heavy. |
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Posts: 547
Location: Oshkosh | Another vote for the 7000ics black reel. A little heavy and big at first but I got use to it and now have no problem using the reel for long extended periods of time.
Peter |
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Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | The Penn 975 has a 4.5:1 Gear ratio, and they are supposed to be built pretty tough. Looks like they are a bit higher than $180. Just looking online they seem to be priced around $260... Maybe Ebay would have some deals.
Off the top of my head, the Penn and the Abu 7000 are the only ones I can think of, though I'm sure there are more.
curleytail |
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Posts: 358
Location: London, England | Does anyone use the calcutta 700 reels? They never seem to get mentioned in these threads, and I'm a bit surprised. If they made a left hander I'd certainly try it. Meantime I'll stick to my 7001s. |
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Posts: 2037
Location: lansing, il | the penns are awesome. but for the money you cant beat the maina/bass pro reels. ive had very good sucess with the low gear ones. they come with a pwoer handle. |
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Location: Twin Cities | IME, you won't be burning big bucktails with a Penn. Sure it's a low gear ratio, but you can only move that handle so fast. I've spent some time using one throwing 10's and 13's, pulled them easy but not super fast. I'd be looking at the trinidad and saltist line's. |
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Posts: 531
Location: Hugo, MN | I use a Penn 975 with the power handle set in the longest position. It's awesome for standard retrieves, but you can't really burn anything with it. That goes for the 7000's too though. The Trinidads, Toriums, Saltists, Saltigas, etc. would be better if you want the be able to do both. The Saltist with a levelwind is on my list. I hope to pick one up this spring. |
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Posts: 2894
Location: Yahara River Chain | So you are looking for solid low gear-ratio reel???
I have one that seized up and you can't get more solid than that also I am willing to sell it to you real cheap.  |
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Posts: 3480
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Now THAT'S funny right there!!
Brand? If fixable, and in somewhat decent shape, I might take you up on it!!
Steve |
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Posts: 2894
Location: Yahara River Chain | Not sure if you can call it any brand. See I made it up of many types of reel I had laying around that got destroyed by throwing the DC10s and those 3 pound bull puppies (not dawgs but actual puppies and a few kittens thrown here and there). The closes I can tell you its a Pfuabuino. I don't think the master, of all reel docs Chuck Brod could fix this thing. He might be able to recreate it in the lab on a dark stormy night, but thats another story to which I prefer not to go into. |
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Posts: 3480
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | you got a pic of it?
Might be interesting to see!!
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Posts: 2894
Location: Yahara River Chain | Ah come on!! Can't you use your imagination like I do typing these things up??? I know men are more visual than imaginary, but you got to help me out just a little here. |
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Location: Twin Cities | I wonder what reel chuck norris would pick....hmmmm. |
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Posts: 531
Location: Hugo, MN | Chuck Norris doesn't need a rod or reel. He dangles his beard in the water and entices fish into biting. Actually, all the world record fish ever caught are not records at all. They're just the closest anyone has ever come to Chuck Norris' fish. |
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Posts: 3480
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | And here I figured he'd be noodling!!
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | Go to R & H and get the ABU GARCIA 7000iHSN CUSTOM LOW GEAR for $189.99
THIS REEL HAS 4.1:1 AND WILL HAVE 30" LINE PICKUP |
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Posts: 9
| I just got the 7000 custom from R & H. I havn't spooled it yet but it looks pretty cool. It has a narrow spool and comes with the 4.1:1 ratio, but also included is the 5.3:1 gear as a spare. $189 |
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Posts: 1713
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | PIKEMASTER - 12/13/2008 12:11 AM
Go to R & H and get the ABU GARCIA 7000iHSN CUSTOM LOW GEAR for $189.99
THIS REEL HAS 4.1:1 AND WILL HAVE 30" LINE PICKUP
The actual line pickup is more like 22-24" based on how full the spool is. My 7000's with the 4.1:1 measure 24" each and the line is just above the top of the shoulder of the spool. |
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Posts: 130
Location: Chicago | I agree with muskihntr you can't beat the BPS reels I've got one and really like it they're tough and parts are readily available (BPS Outdoor World rod and reel repair). Also the reel is the clone for the Pfluger 66 and the Gander Mountain Guide series GS66 and probably a couple others so they're pretty easy to find. |
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | RyanJoz - 12/16/2008 8:11 PM
PIKEMASTER - 12/13/2008 12:11 AM
Go to R & H and get the ABU GARCIA 7000iHSN CUSTOM LOW GEAR for $189.99
THIS REEL HAS 4.1:1 AND WILL HAVE 30" LINE PICKUP
The actual line pickup is more like 22-24" based on how full the spool is. My 7000's with the 4.1:1 measure 24" each and the line is just above the top of the shoulder of the spool.
The 5.3:1 is 28-30" and the 4.1:1 is 22-24" Thanks |
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | The PETE M. REEL IN 4.1:1 GEARS is a great reel for the $$$$$$$$ With the power handle, this reel is a great reel to slow roll 10/13 blades at night. |
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Looking for solid low gear-ratio reel