Surffishing Reels

[gjang]

Anybody have a chance to try out the Shimano Cardiff? I'm thiniking that it would make a good back-up reel for surf-fishing. I'm using the light tackle, cast-and-slow-retrieve-with-grubs method. I did try the Catala but the star drag would not always engage. I checked out other Catalas at the Shimano booth at the Long Beach show and it was the same. <br><br>Thanks,<br>George<br><br>

[MasterJigBuilder]

The Abu is another good option along with the Shimao Corsair 400. I own several and they have never let me down even after day in day out guiding/fishing over several months. <br><br>Great value for money and built using the same engine room as the Calcutta 400. A great workhorse of a reel that is very reliable. <br><br>Burnin Thumbs!<br><br>Steve B <br>Moderator Lures/Baits Forum<br><A HREF="http://www.demonjigs.com" target="_new">http://www.demonjigs.com</A>

[islandhoppper]

I can attest to the corsair 400 being reliable and a great little reel for casting also. I have never had this reel fail me and have always taken it with me on my own boat and on the 3/4 day boats. It's just a great little reel<br><br><br>

[ReelSeaSick]

Looking for something different? Ever hear of Alvey? It looks like a fly reel. When you cast it, it faces out like a spinning reel, then after it hits the water you rotate it so it works like a conventional. The spools are huge. I have one for 10-20# test, and is 6" wide. It turns lots of heads. It can cast extremely far, especially with breakaway tackle (which lets you clip the bait to your line so you don't helicopter the bait and sinker. You can get them from Alvey direct or from a very popular midwest, family run fishing store with several locations. I have asked BFT to carry them. To quote an Ausie "they are tough as nails" (right MJB?).<br><br>Tight lines at sea, screamin kids at home!

[MasterJigBuilder]

They sure are RRS<br><br>Simple, tough, well made, cast into the next postcode and one crank of the handle gives you maximum line retrieval. <br><br>How long do they last? How many grand and great grand kids are you planning to have?<br><br>If I recall RSS, you have one of the graphite 6500's. If I can find a website link I'll post it back here for others to look at. <br><br>FYI, I will be at the Alvey Reel factory tomorrow to get a downrigger & reel unit to take to the Western Pacific so we can drag up some "rrrreaaaalll big fish". <br><br>Burnin Thumbs!<br><br>Steve B <br>Moderator Lures/Baits Forum<br><A HREF="http://www.demonjigs.com" target="_new">http://www.demonjigs.com</A>