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| Okay, I need some help. I'm all-good when it comes to burning cowgirls and the like, but what I need is a light super-smooth, dependable reel for things like jerk baits, walk-the-dog baits, twitching large cranks, etc. Here's my perception and experience on a few options:
Lunas - I've had many Lunas in the past and love their small size and smooth operation. Trouble is the anti-reverses go out, particularly in cold weather, at the most inopportune times. I'm fed up with that and ready to switch to something I can use and depend on in cold weather. Calcutta TE's??
TE 400's - I tried a couple of these a few years back, but noticed that I got a ticking sound as the anti-reverse engaged with each jerk of the rod while fishing jerkbaits. It drove me nuts and returned them both. Has this issue been corrected?
Saltist Levelwinds - Pretty solid reel, but they are not smooth, they are not light, and the clutches tend to go out at the most inopportune times. Not really an option for what I'm looking for.
Curado 300 - Small, light, smooth, but I've heard (never owned one) that they aren't the best with 100lb. braid, which is what I prefer to use.
Garcias - Had so many of these over the years that I've returned for repairs and ultimately sold, I'm not thinking this is an option any longer. Disposable reels. I'm looking for something higher quality.
What I'd really love to have is a Trinidad 14 with a levelwind and auto engage handle, but that is not an option today. If it were, I'd buy 3 of them right away.
Can some one steer me in the direction of a high quality, light, super-smooth reel that is dependable over the full course of a season for things like twitching and jerking?
Brian |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | According to the current reviews, the Okuma Akena seems to fit the bill. Doug Johnson speaks well of them and at as little as $89, they are a good value too. I have 3 Akena 250 models on the way. |
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Location: Contrarian Island | I'd suggest a Revo Toro 60 w/ 5.4 to 1.. yes it's an Abu but I have found this to be as good as my old Morrums that have held up extremely well over the last 10+ yrs...I beat the crap out of one last season and it made it all season w/ no issues...used it mainly for ripping big cranks, it's light, low profile and casts like a dream. I have yet to get a backlash w/ this reel....I own another 50 size I use for walk the dog baits and jerkbaits and it held up as well...
Edited by BNelson 4/27/2010 11:01 AM
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Posts: 582
| Been using Calcutta 400b's and St croix AC300's (luna) without a problem for a few years now. If you take care of them, they take care of you. |
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Posts: 1270
| I don't think that it's fair to compare the Garcias to TE's, Luna's, Curado's, etc. I'm guessing you are trying to compare C3's for under $100 to reels costing up to 4 times that. The new Toro's will do everything any of the other reels you mention will do and more. |
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Posts: 81
Location: Toronto, Ontario | Curado 300E for the purpose you have expressed....great reel for everything but the big blades, IMHO. Low profile is easy on your "palming" hand and the reel casts long and smooth. I don't know about 100# braid but I use 80# masterbraid (the best out there ;-)), and it's more than enough for 10" HR's and bulldawgs/pounders. To each his own. |
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Posts: 2015
| Toro 60 - I like my three anyway  |
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | ABU TORO 60 in 5.4:1 or 6.4:1, that reel comes with a Power Handle. |
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Posts: 1030
Location: APPLETON, WI | Another vote for the Revo Toro... I love mine!! |
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Posts: 102
Location: Bowling Green, KY | I can't speak for any of these reels, but I might offer you a cold weather solution to you anti-reverse issues. My Quantum PT bass reels would do the same thing. When the weather got really cold, the handle would start wanting the spin backwards. I've seen other brands do it to. I think what happens is the grease used in the one way bearing gets too thick in cold weather to allow the rollers to properly "cam" out and grip the sleeve part of the anti-reverse. I cured it by taking some Ardent Reel Degreaser and completely degreasing this bearing. Then oil it with a very thin reel oil, I like Quantum Hot Sauce. I then put my reels in the freezer for an hour and try it. It seems to do the trick.
I use Okuma Indurons for musky fishing, ant their anti-reverse tends to "knock" when you jerk a lure also, but I've gotten used to it now, and my reels are going on three seasons with no failures of any kind. |
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| Last year, I picked up an ABU Revo Toro 60 6.4:1 , specifically for jerkbaits. I was very pleased, no issues what so ever. I liked it so much, that I sold all my "junk" reels 6500's and the reliable cannon ball(7000) and picked up another Toro 60 with the 5.4:1 gear ratio. We'll see how it goes for the long run, but so far these reels have been a pleasure to fish with.
-Chris |
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Posts: 547
Location: Oshkosh | Toro 60 5.4:1 is great for not burning a Cowgirl.
Peter |
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Posts: 692
Location: Pelican Rapids, MN | going cheaper - St.Croix AC300
Got some cash - Shimano Calcutta 400TE LJV - Hands down greatest reel ever! |
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Posts: 76
Location: Kentucky | Shimano Calcutta 400b with smooth drag carbon drag washers & mike's reel repair offers a bearing replacement for the plastic spool sleeve. Even with the upgrades you are in under 250.
Edited by itallushrt 4/27/2010 11:40 PM
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Posts: 613
Location: big cove tannery pa | Revo Toro all the way |
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Posts: 692
Location: Pelican Rapids, MN | I haven't noticed the "click" on the anti-reverse, so I can't really comment on that - One of the positives - As for myself, when casting, I lock my drag and use my thumb on everything except my topwater reels. It has the smoothest drag out there for those applications. As for locking the drag, the Revo is close to impossible to open the bail when the drag is set on neck breaker and there's any amount of tension on the line. The LJV or any TE for that matter is pretty flawless in that situation. |
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | The ABU TORO has a 4 disc CARBONTEX drag washers, why are you locking down the drag ???? Use the drag, it is one of the smoothest of any reel on the market today.
If U hear a clicking noise on a Calcutta, the anti rev pawl is loose, just pinch it together and that will take care of that.
The Lvj Calcutta was made for Butterfly Jigging so it has a Cold Forged Frame and Side Plate and a non- balance Jigging handle not made for castings, also has ball bearings for saltwater, for the $$$$ I would buy a Shimano ConQuest.
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Posts: 692
Location: Pelican Rapids, MN | The Conquest is a sick reel as well - I forgot about that one seeing as I haven't had a chance to bust them out yet this year.
I still prefer the LJV but the JDM Conquest is in a close second.
I don't use the Revo's anymore. I gave them to my nephew. Palming them was uncomfortable to me. I like the rounder profile in my big mitt. As for drag, I prefer a solid hookset - 100% solid. I have more faith in my thumb over any drag out there. |
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | I palm all my reels, so that is why I love the TORO reels, and my other reels are Conquests, that I have used for years. I use my drags so the Toro reels work for me.
Jerry: on your LJV do you use the handle that comes with that reel or have U put the Trinidad12-14 handle on it ??????
Edited by PIKEMASTER 4/28/2010 9:59 AM
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(Trinidad-14-Handle-1.jpg)
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Posts: 82
Location: Minneapolis,Mn | Toro 60, 5:4:1 is what you need, my 3 have been great, no problems what so ever! |
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Posts: 692
Location: Pelican Rapids, MN | I've never tried the Trinidad handle??? I'll have to do that! Thanks for the idea! |
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| Jsondag
I've got a Trini handle available. Bought and never used. Let me know if that is of interest.
[email protected]
Brian |
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Posts: 692
Location: Pelican Rapids, MN | email sent |
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Posts: 406
Location: Stones throw away...finally!! | Bought an LJV last year and didn't get a chance to throw it at all until this spring. Oringinal handle is on it and I agree with the above posts. Best reel I have ever thrown. |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Time to remind everyone:
NO product or brand bashing.
Tell folks why you feel a brand stands out by features and benefits, and explain why a particular feature is superior to 'other brands' constructively, that's reasonable and expected, and good information to help others make a decision.
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Posts: 4266
| I've been using Lunas for a couple of years because I think that they are one of the smoothest reels that I've ever used. I think many of the anti-reverse problems result from operator error. I've seen guys that try to engage the level wind too early trying to get the lures moving right away. If you do that to any reel you will chew up the gears in very short time. Maybe I just jinxed myself, but I love my Lunas. |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I received my Okuma Akenas yesterday, and took one apart to take a look. Bearings on both sides of the spool, seated bearings for the ends of the shaft instead of alternatives other more expensive reels have that seem less beefy and wear resistant, durably manufactured gears and a good set of drag washers, over sized paddle handle, and all that for under 90 bucks to my door. I'll let everyone know how they hold up, and will probably echo Doug Johnson's opinions after using the reels for awhile. |
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| Beav- I've understood the Luna problem to be a roller bearing issue??? Many guys who work on these have said that the factory greases those when none should be used. Then when the weather gets cold, the grease gets stiffer and the roller fails to 'grab'. I wonder if the tolerances are right though. Grease or not, that hasn't happened with other reels I've owned and it's happened to all of the Luna's I've had eventually, which is about six reels now. I love how smooth they are though and they've all been bullet-proof with the exception of that one issue. So, the advise of many is to clean out that roller bearing grease and apply a light oil.
Steve- I think I'm going to take a 'flyer' on one Akena. You've sold me, even though the reel is not time tested. The price is pretty painless and that Doug says good things about them is enough for me.
I'm definitely going to buy a Revo, based on the almost overwhelming positive feedback on this thread. Seems Abu got this one right. I'm still debating about whether I'll pick up two Revos or add the TE 400 jigging reel since I need three new reels to replace the Lunas I'm selling.
Brian |
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Posts: 1906
Location: Oconto Falls, WI | 400B and TE are the best I have used thus far. Main reason is the anti-revearse does not go out on them. I believe the Shimanos have an extra part inside to back-up the anti-revearse bearing if it fails.
These two reels have held up the best for me.
Beav, if you are interested in another Luna I have one I could sell you.
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Posts: 81
Location: Van Buren, Indiana | I was having tendon trouble early this spring in my right ring finger, and I could not palm my round reels. I by alot of reels from: www.ffo-tackle.com this is an overstock for Pure Fishing, I bought two Revo STX in left hand and they als have them in right. They are last years models, new models have swept in handles. They are 10 bearing and 24 lbs. of drag, brass gears. I looked at the Toro's at the winter shows to compare size the Toro's have more line capacity. I have been throwing Shadillacs, Mag Dawgs, Topwater, DC-8' & 9's, ripping Kraves 10", and they have been flawless. For $151.00 I thought I try 'em, it is way cheaper than surgery. I have been working them over and so far they have been great. Check out FF0 Tackle they also have the Pfluueger 56 & 46 for $74, and 66 l's for $58.00 and I bought another one of those for Dbl 10's, and James 13's and they are smooth and powerful for the money. I have one 66 L on a Pro Edge rod since Sept of '08 and have not done a thing to it and it still casts great!
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | SW, who has the Akeena in stock right now, or where did you buy yours? |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Got mine here, I'm a member. Every time I order anything, they send me a $10 to $20 discount coupon, which I used on my order, too. They sent me another with this order.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/okuma-ak-250-akena-round-bait... |
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Posts: 1184
Location: Iowa Great Lakes | I played with one at the baitshop last week, I might have to add one soon. |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | Thanks Steve. SG is sold out already...or so it says |
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Posts: 123
Location: Bemidji, MN | Prop- I found some Akena 400/250 that go for $79.99 free shipping. PM if you're interested. |
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