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| Looking for some help..... I only have a 100 bucks to spend on a new reel. What would you recommend for that amount? Thank you for your help! |
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Location: Eastern Ontario | Corsair just over $100 |
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Posts: 304
Location: Not where I want to be! | Shimano Cardiff, Decent reel for the money.$120. |
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Posts: 661
Location: Sussex, NJ | +1 on the Cardiff |
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Location: Eastern Ontario | I guess the Cardiff is what I was thinking about it used to be called Corsair |
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Posts: 291
Location: Oconomowoc, WI | The Corvalus replaced the Corsair about three years ago. Decent entry level reel. The Cardiff is a step up and is a little smoother. Neither reel with stand up to much abuse, but they're fine for the weekend angler. |
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Posts: 582
| Cardiff $109 |
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Posts: 2361
| At this time I would still go with a ABU Garcia, 5500 c3, commonly available and will stand up to a pretty good amount of beating. And you'll still have the price of a bait left in your pocket after you buy it. |
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Posts: 281
| Spend the $400 and buy the TE. It will last forever- The others you will have to replace every two years. |
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Posts: 315
| Do the Cardiff!!! |
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Posts: 60
Location: Janesville wi | I'd wait until had at least 2.5 times that amount. |
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Posts: 1360
Location: Lake "y" cause lake"x" got over fished | Look man.
What some of these guys are saying with spending $400, or waiting till you have more money to buy a better reel. In retrospect they are correct, you will have better power, speed and durability with one of the more expensive reels... But I have been in your shoes and it is not always an option to go that route and some people who have money to blow on reels like that don't understand. When I first started musky fishing I didn't have 3 grand I could spend on gear and still be able to live the life I wanted to. I had to buy a $65 Abu Garcia. It worked great for my first season and I still have and use it.
Don't worry about spending the "big bucks" to get the best of what they got out there. This sport is not about who has the best reel, or who spent the most on their rig, or how much you have invested in gear, or how nice your boat is. I know a couple of guys that don't even own boats and find ways to get out once or twice a week. It is about the company, comrodery and just having fun. I myself am going to pick up a Cardiff this year as well.
As you get more and more into the sport you can make more informed decisions on better reels, poles and gear. I now Own 3 reels I use on a regular bases for musky fishing (took 4 years to save enough to get what I have now, Two Revo Toros and a Saltist). My 65 dollar Abu has been retired to my big bass/pike pole. Eventually you will be able to aquire nicer things and the experience of using one on the lower spectrum will really make you appreciate all the hard work you put into buying a Calcutta TE or a Revo Toro.
For now, just focus on getting what you need to have fun on the water... After that, nothing else matters...
Hope you get what your looking for! If you ever sign up for an account (which you should) feel free to PM me with any and all questions you may have.
Enjoy it! hope that helps |
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Posts: 582
| i couldn't agree more with fat-ski. I also recommended the cardiff above. I too, when starting out had an ugly stick, with a cheap walmart Abu and landed numerous fish. Even netted a 45" without an issue or failure. So even thou i buy the better stuff today, its not like its 100% necessary to have fun muskie fishing. |
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| If in fact you have $100 and no more, an Abu Garcia 6500c3 or Shimano Corvalus are within your range. They will get the job done. You will not hook a fish that you can't crank in with those reels. I would not spend more than I could afford just to get a better reel. Unless you're a pro, fishing is just a recreation. Don't stress yourself. But it is almost always true, that you get what you pay for. |
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Posts: 373
Location: Maine Township, MN | I'm still happy with my Abu C3. Threw big rubber and blades all summer on it. Take care of it and it will take care of you. That's my opinion on anything really.
Not to say the Calcutta TE isn't a good reel, but a lot of us don't have that kind of budget. |
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Posts: 360
| Bass pro shop muskie angler |
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Posts: 3508
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
I have used the ABU garcia lines from day 1 and am just starting to look at other brands and models to tailor to specific types of fishing. In fact, I still have my first ambassadeur 5000 that I purchased in 1984 and it is still running strong. The only...yes THE ONLY repair I have had to make on that reel is a change-out of a worm drive back somewhere around 1995 or so. It still runs smooth as the day I bought it and it has cast many a muskie lure....It was all I used from 1984 on through about 1998 or so. It was not one of the original models where the free spool tensioner was on the left side of the reel.
For the money, I feel you cannot go wrong with a 5500C or a 6500C. As one person already stated, if you take care of it, it will take care of you. Beat it to crap like some people do by engaging the reel when the lure is still in mid-air, and you'll rip the innards out of it quick. I feel this is why many people don't like the line as they expect the gears to hold up to that kind of abuse when they were never designed for that kind of use in the first place. Engage the reel just as the lure hits the water, and you will have a great reel for a long time. The key to keeping the gearing in shape is to tear it down at least once a season for a clean and lube. And always always always give your worm drive a drop or two of oil before you start your day.
Depending on the amount you fish, they will last a long time, but they are not built like they used to be either. parts will wear out, but they are so easy to replace and it is not too expensive to do so.
A good reel for the money that will give you many hours of casting.
Steve |
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Posts: 147
Location: Chesterton, Indiana | Get a Cardiff or look for a Calcutta 400 B on ebay used. The cardiff is a good reel for the money. I started with one and still have the reel. I keep it in my boat for people who don't own a larger reel to use. |
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Posts: 339
Location: Denmark | IMO the Cardiff and todays C3's are pretty even performers, but there are some minor differences.
If you are going to rip large baits, then go for the Cardiff with it's dual anti reverse, and the stronger frame. The dartanium drag is decent when new, but it will degrade slowly.
If you love distance casting, and fish mainly medium gliders and bucktails, go for the C3. The Carbon Matrix drag is excellent, and greased with teflon grease, it will last forever.
I have notices that both reels have some corrosion issues, the Cardiff with the pinion bearing, and the C3 with the IAR bearing. But if you give them a drop of oil from time to time, and store them dry, this is no major problem.
The C3 is by far the easiest and cheapest reel to repair, it can be retrofitted with an extra anti reverse dog, and then it's hard to beat in it's class. |
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Posts: 360
Location: montreal, canada | I owned few cardif in the past they perform real good !!!! |
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Posts: 4
| Cardiff, great reel for that price. |
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