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Posts: 20
| I picked up a Pete Mania PMX 7' 2" Signature Series rod. It's a heavy action for 2-10 oz lures. I'll probably be using this combo for pretty much everything except for smaller baits and lures. This will be my first real muskie rod and I need a reel to put on it and I'm looking to spend between $50 and $100. So, what reel would you guys suggest I look for? |
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Posts: 427
| in that price range I would put a bass pro reel that matches the rod. My dad has had one for a long time, it does not get used much anymore but has held up better than more expensive reels. |
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Posts: 151
Location: West of the metro, MN | I'd get an Abu c3. Can easily clean it, fix it and modify it. I'm not sure who makes the Pete mania reel but it reminds me of my first musky reel, a pflueger trion (round). It was smooth but not very tough and unable to fix it. Abu's are great reels for the money. While I have some spendier reels now, I still use my Abu's, and when they break down I can get parts online and fix em myself. |
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Posts: 340
Location: Lake County Illinois | Okuma Akena is a nice reel at around $100. |
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Posts: 49
| As far as reels go saying you get what you pay for is more than true in muskie fishing. My first one was shimano Cardiff which is not abad reel but it won't hold up to bigger blades. And every one of us who started said, there is no way I'm gonna be throwing that, believe me u will be tossing them 2x4 in one point or another. So save Ur money and get Abu nacl 541. Fast enough for jerks and strong enough for pulling bigger blades. It's a low profile so it is very comfortable to palm, 61 actually fits me better vs 51 but if u prefer smaller go ahead, same guts. Just my 2 cents |
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Posts: 31
| On ebay you can get a daiwa lexa 300 for around $145, if it were me spend the little extra money for a better quality reel. |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | Look for a good used reel when it comes to musky fishing don't buy cheap they don't last look on e bay or right on this sight in the for sale items |
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Posts: 1753
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | Take the advice of someone who services reels... Stay away from Lexa reels. There is a good reasoni have had parts on back order for 3.5 months... |
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Posts: 33
| Get the reel you can afford and decide if you're into muskie fishing for the long haul, then you can start spending more for better reels, because you'll certainly start buying more rods. In the meantime, the reels mentioned will work fine. My vote is the Abu Garcia C3, bulletproof reel for the money. |
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Posts: 15
Location: Illinois | http://www.bigsupplyshop.com/Abu-Garcia-RVO-TORO-NaCl60-541-REVO-TO... Use this website you can get a nice new reel for less than normal. |
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Posts: 49
| U can get nacl for 200 on ebay. And I do have a lexa but it doesn't feel like it would hold up to bigger stuff. I really don't see 50 dollars keeping u from getting abu reel. |
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Posts: 337
Location: Watersmeet, Michigan | Lots of opinions here, but if I owned only one reel, it would be a Calcutta 400b. Granted, there are a lot of faster, lighter reels with smaller profiles, but the Calcutta is built like a tank and, properly maintained, it will last a lifetime.
Look for good deals on used reels on EBay. Avoid reels used in salt water.
Fr. K |
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Posts: 1283
| If you can swing it hold off and get a NACL. Bulletproof and simple to use. They also double as a trolling reel with a clicker. I tried the LEXAs and simply put they do not preform as well as the Abu's. If you cant afford a NACL look for the older Revo Toro. Could prob find one used near 100-150 |
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Posts: 1150
Location: Minnesota. | Ted, hold off for as long as you can all the time saving as much as you're comfortable saving and then buy a good quality used reel that's been used lightly but still in nice shape.
A good quality, used reel is far better than a poor quality newer one. For $100 max. new you can't get much that you can count on for any reliability and longevity.
You'll get a better-built reel, albeit used - no biggie - that will serve you better and you can use as a reliable back-up when you decide to get another outfit.
And you will. Trust me... |
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Posts: 309
| I'll agree the C3 is a good choice, and a great value. I've had 2 for about 10 years, and even though they have been demoted to loaners (I've upgraded quite a bit), they still perform flawlessly, even after years of abuse by rookies and lack of maintenance.
I had some 5600 C4s a few years ago too, but returned them because they had absolutely no power compared to the C3. |
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Posts: 705
Location: Alex or Alek? | Like a lot of people have said here the Abu C3's are a great option. I started with that reel and have now started upgrading to the newer NACL's and absolutely love them. Now my C3 is a great backup/catfishing reel. |
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