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Q:
I am looking for a good baitcasting reel for Salmon fishing this summer. I have used fly rods for the past 5 years, but would like to switch it up this year and save the fly fishing for Spring and Fall trout/dolly/grayling. What are a couple of good reels that will last a long time and not let me down?
Question by amcclure. Uploaded on April 03, 2012
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Answers (7)
My reel of choice is the US Reel SuperCaster. They even have a new model that just came out called the LIBERTY which is advertised to be built in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. I personally have been using the 1000 series US Reels since their first introduction, and am in love with them.
Well you didn't state what type fishing you were going to do, trolling, casting,back trolling or drift fishing. My choice would be the Abu 6500C, Penn 220GTO or 230GTO,US Super Caster 1000 Pro(like the faster retrieve rate) I would use braided super line on all of these reels. You need line capacity for Salmon. All 3 reels are capable of casting fairly well with 200 plus yards of line. For trolling the Penn 220/230GTO shines above the other 2 hands down. I would have to give casting to the 1000 Supercaster Pro as it is very smooth as without an eye guide it flows off the spool. The 6500C will cast or troll and I've added it just because it has been around forever and is a tough reel and can turn heads when needed.
I agree with Rick on the Abu Garcia 5500C or 6500C or maybe even a Shimano Calcutta if line capacity is of concern. They will hold more line than the SuperCasters, but will not cast nearly as well. I own several of each of the Abu 5500's and 6500's and even a Shimano CT200 and CT400. They are excellent reels, but I have been able to pack enough braided line on my SuperCasters to handle most of my fishing needs so I have put them in retirement. I have to admit that a retired Calcutta does look good just sitting on a vintage Fenwick rod while hanging in my living room wall rack.
I will be only fishing rivers with this setup; either from a raft or from shore (drifting).
Fact of the matter is I only need to be able to cast the line 30 yards max, but more like 10 yards consistently. I only make it out in the salt 2 or 3 times a year with a few buddies. It would be nice for the reel to have the versatility of trolling, but it is not required. I checked out the Penn reels, and they appear to fit this description; and are very reasonably priced. Would you go with the Penn if you were me? Thanks for the help!
The Penn reels are great and I recommend them highly. I actually use the GT320 for trolling for King salmon and big saltwater fish like King mackerel. You don't need that line capacity in a river though. With today's great braided line, the smaller Penns will work great. I prefer casting for salmon in rivers using a spinning rod. I like the Penn reels for this too. I love casting the Little Cleo, Krocadile and Mepps spoons way up and down the river for kings, cohos and big trout.
Great! Thanks a lot for the helpful comments. I am heading to the local sporting goods stores today to check out the reels.
Post an Answer
My reel of choice is the US Reel SuperCaster. They even have a new model that just came out called the LIBERTY which is advertised to be built in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. I personally have been using the 1000 series US Reels since their first introduction, and am in love with them.
Well you didn't state what type fishing you were going to do, trolling, casting,back trolling or drift fishing. My choice would be the Abu 6500C, Penn 220GTO or 230GTO,US Super Caster 1000 Pro(like the faster retrieve rate) I would use braided super line on all of these reels. You need line capacity for Salmon. All 3 reels are capable of casting fairly well with 200 plus yards of line. For trolling the Penn 220/230GTO shines above the other 2 hands down. I would have to give casting to the 1000 Supercaster Pro as it is very smooth as without an eye guide it flows off the spool. The 6500C will cast or troll and I've added it just because it has been around forever and is a tough reel and can turn heads when needed.
I agree with Rick on the Abu Garcia 5500C or 6500C or maybe even a Shimano Calcutta if line capacity is of concern. They will hold more line than the SuperCasters, but will not cast nearly as well. I own several of each of the Abu 5500's and 6500's and even a Shimano CT200 and CT400. They are excellent reels, but I have been able to pack enough braided line on my SuperCasters to handle most of my fishing needs so I have put them in retirement. I have to admit that a retired Calcutta does look good just sitting on a vintage Fenwick rod while hanging in my living room wall rack.
The Penn reels are great and I recommend them highly. I actually use the GT320 for trolling for King salmon and big saltwater fish like King mackerel. You don't need that line capacity in a river though. With today's great braided line, the smaller Penns will work great. I prefer casting for salmon in rivers using a spinning rod. I like the Penn reels for this too. I love casting the Little Cleo, Krocadile and Mepps spoons way up and down the river for kings, cohos and big trout.
I will be only fishing rivers with this setup; either from a raft or from shore (drifting).
Fact of the matter is I only need to be able to cast the line 30 yards max, but more like 10 yards consistently. I only make it out in the salt 2 or 3 times a year with a few buddies. It would be nice for the reel to have the versatility of trolling, but it is not required. I checked out the Penn reels, and they appear to fit this description; and are very reasonably priced. Would you go with the Penn if you were me? Thanks for the help!
Great! Thanks a lot for the helpful comments. I am heading to the local sporting goods stores today to check out the reels.
Post an Answer