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Posts: 7
| Hey, I'm new here but did some searching about everywhere to answers with little success. (just figured I'd throw that out there)
Why do more companies not make left hand retrieve reels?
It might just be me, but it seems to make more sense when nearly most people who use spinning reels hold the rod in the right and reel with the left. In mid cast while using a baitcaster, why would it make sense to have to switch hands? I just don't understand that.. I know it's personal preference but I would think the manufacturers would like to be different from one another and offer a bit more variety.
Anyways, it seems the options are pretty limited being a few models aren't made anymore. I have tried using right hand retrieve reels before and it doesn't work out very well. I'm sure any fish that seen me just laughed at how ridiculous and uncoordinated I am swinging the rod around aimlessly in my left hand. (I laughed as well)
My conclusion is basically the toro winch 61, calcutta te 401, curado 301 and luna 300 are my only options.
While they all would serve their own special purpose on a specific rod, I'm having a hard time deciding which is best for the job.
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Posts: 175
Location: Tonka, MN | Can't go wrong with shimano. Are you lookin for an all around reel or what? |
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Posts: 7
| Well it all depends I guess. Recently I just got some Legend Tournament rods and plan to get a few more before the season kicks in. (hopefully)
This was already a pretty expensive plunge, but I can't handle using the huge spinning rods anymore. I know, laugh at me.. but I didn't really want to spend 600+ on a rod/reel for one specific fish until I seen it's mandatory, yet alone this many at once. I go big with everything I do though, so why not buy 10 rod/reel combos this year? Right? haha
So far I have a Lip Stick, Classic Jerk and Downsizer.
I'll be getting the XXXH Premier and Top N Tail for sure in the future.
I was thinking the Curado on the Downsizer and Top N Tail, Calcutta on the Lip Stick, Classic Jerk and XXXH Premier.
I don't know if those are the best combos, but I'm trying to stay away from Abu stuff being I've went to several reputable retailers/repair shops and they said if I want to go out and cast x amount of times then bring the reel in for repair every few times I use it, that would be my best choice. That isn't what I like to hear whether they like the products or not.
I like to buy things once and have them for a while, so reliability is key. I know if you take care of your gear it will last longer, but I really don't want to have to break the reel down, clean it and have spare parts on hand on a regular basis.
My big thing though is line size.. the rods say one thing, but is that rating for mono or braid? I really don't want to use anything under 65lb powerpro.. |
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Posts: 992
| what do you plan on using that XXXH for? that thing is like a broom stick! I think the curado would be great for the lip stick and jerk since it has a faster retrieve than the calcutta. (6:2:1 to 5:1:1 or so) That calcutta would be great on something like a big dawg or that XXXH.
65-100lbs test braid will be fine on any of those rods. |
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Posts: 7
| Honestly I don't even know. I thought about the Big Dawg, but kinda wanted to save the $160 and have something which can handle the bigger stuff. (although I don't actually have anything bigger than 16oz yet) I'd imagine one of those would handle the pounders, but they do weigh 4 ounces more than the rating shows. Then again, I used 5 ounce lures on a spinning rod rated to 2oz and that thing barely even bent, so I doubt it would cause any issues.
I know there are some ginormous swimbaits out there now which it may work for, but it's hard getting away from that lovely blue finish the LT rods have. I guess I'll never learn what saving money means. haha
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Posts: 992
| EricB - 3/2/2012 11:03 AM
I know there are some ginormous swimbaits out there now which it may work for, but it's hard getting away from that lovely blue finish the LT rods have. I guess I'll never learn what saving money means. haha
:(
haha welcome to muskie fishing!
the big dawg will toss pounders easily I just picked one up for big baits. If you dont HAVE to keep it all st. croix and plan on stocking up on mammoth baits (2lbsers, mammoth sues, etc.) james at tackle industries makes XXH rods from 8 to 9'0 rated up to 40 oz lures. Never used that model but have heard good things. There are also the musky innovations bull dawg rods. Both are way cheaper than LTs |
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Posts: 897
| Hit the brakes a little EricB...you don't need all of those set-ups to be able to fish effectively. It sounds like you're pretty new to this game. Get yourself 2 or 3 combos, see what you like and how you use them and go from there. I fish a lot and have 2 set-ups that cover everything I really need. I run an 8' XH Compre with a 401TE for big rubber, big cranks, double-10's, and certain other lures. My other set-up is an 8' H Compre with a Revo Toro 61HS that I use for jerk baits, gliders, smaller bucktails, topwater, rubber, cranks, really everything except for double-10's. I've found that's all I really need to be able to work every lure in my box the way I want to.
Why don't they make more reels in lefty? Because for some reason all of the people who reel with their left hand with a spinning reel feel the need to reel with their right hand with a casting reel. Makes no sense to me, but that's the way it is. |
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Posts: 175
Location: Tonka, MN | I think you have the right idea but agree with "why not". You don't have I plunge right into the top of the line stuff. I ran a couple different set ups and found what works best for my type of fishing. I personally will spend more on the reels than the poles. I stick with the premiers and musky innovations rods. So if you're ready to jump in all the way go with a curado and 401te. You wont regret it! |
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Posts: 403
Location: WI | You might want to check out Okuma reels. The Isis 400LX is left hand crank reel that has gotten some pretty good reviews. I see 1 in my boat very soon. |
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Posts: 661
Location: Sussex, NJ | +1 on the Okuma Isis 400 LX. Its a great all around reel. |
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Posts: 7
| I've heard some good things about both companies, but I just like everything to match. As crazy that it sounds..
I guess I'll scrap the idea of the XXXH then if the Big Dawg can handle them.
I just like having that lifetime warranty if anything happens. I take care of my stuff, but anything is possible considering I have horrible luck.
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Posts: 7
| Emptynet - 3/2/2012 4:03 PM
You might want to check out Okuma reels. The Isis 400LX is left hand crank reel that has gotten some pretty good reviews. I see 1 in my boat very soon.
I've heard about these being decent, but what is their comparison to the Calcutta TEs durability wise? Also, what is the customer service like if something happens to it? Do you have to wait a year and buy another reel in the process of even getting in touch with them or do they actually deal with the issues?
I've only really used Pflueger, Quantum and Shimano reels before, which is the only reason I ask this. |
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Posts: 7
| whynot - 3/2/2012 11:58 AM
Hit the brakes a little EricB...you don't need all of those set-ups to be able to fish effectively. It sounds like you're pretty new to this game. Get yourself 2 or 3 combos, see what you like and how you use them and go from there. I fish a lot and have 2 set-ups that cover everything I really need. I run an 8' XH Compre with a 401TE for big rubber, big cranks, double-10's, and certain other lures. My other set-up is an 8' H Compre with a Revo Toro 61HS that I use for jerk baits, gliders, smaller bucktails, topwater, rubber, cranks, really everything except for double-10's. I've found that's all I really need to be able to work every lure in my box the way I want to.
Why don't they make more reels in lefty? Because for some reason all of the people who reel with their left hand with a spinning reel feel the need to reel with their right hand with a casting reel. Makes no sense to me, but that's the way it is.
You have a very good point here. Really, the only reason I ended up with three rods already without any reels was the fact I only paid for what two being original priced since they were on clearance. I wasn't planning on the Downsizer, but I do have some smaller stuff the shorter rod would be more practical with.
I just don't see how switching hands after casting makes any sense at all..
Whoever came up with the concept of that apparently was dyslexic. Atleast that's my best guess.  |
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Posts: 7
| TC24 - 3/2/2012 1:51 PM
I think you have the right idea but agree with "why not". You don't have I plunge right into the top of the line stuff. I ran a couple different set ups and found what works best for my type of fishing. I personally will spend more on the reels than the poles. I stick with the premiers and musky innovations rods. So if you're ready to jump in all the way go with a curado and 401te. You wont regret it!
I guess the best idea would be to simply buy one of each at the same time, spool them both with the indentical line and just try them on each rod to see what works best for me. I don't have huge hands by any means, so I kinda prefer the idea of the low profile reels better. Then again, the faster ratio might not be ideal for every presentation. I guess there isn't really a best of both worlds reel in existence.. Not that I've come across atleast.
Another thing was the Quantum Exo, I've seen a few people using that on lighter weight musky rods with smaller baits. It doesn't have huge line capacity, but man is that thing light according to the specs. I just don't want to dump a ton of money into a reel and be like #*^@, this thing sucks. (even though it very well may be the typical go-to standard with the majority of the musky hunters)
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Posts: 175
Location: Tonka, MN | The reason I chose spending more money on the reels is my friends and I have blown many of em out. It really came down to personal experience. Well all take good care of our stuff but it comes down to how we fish I guess. Take into account how you fish. I made my C4 last me 1.5 seasons but it was my first musky reel. I fish a lot more and throw totally different stuff. I have had one problem with my curado which was all my fault. As long as you dont mess with em, Shimano's should run for a long time. There are many good reels out there, its just we are limited as lefties. Just my 2cents. |
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