Ballpark Frank

I like the Exceler alot, especially when you consider the price. My experience with low profiles is limited to primarily Revos, so take this with a grain of salt. Sean had the reel on a G.Loomis MBR843 IMX, with 15# flouro. I used the reel for about 2 hours, and was really impressed with it. It was extremely smooth, as smooth as my Revo S and SX. I really liked the sweep handle too. To be honest, palming the Exceler felt better than my Revos. I have big hands and the small size of the Revos sometimes make my hands cramp. The Exceler was very comfortable for me with no fatique or hand cramps. The price of this reel is the best part. The only other reel in this range(non-Abu) that I liked this well was a Quantum Accurist Cx. I think I maybe starting to fall off the Abu wagon and realize there are some great reels out there by other makers. If I had had the choice between the Exceler and my Revo SX(provided I could fish them) a few months back, I would choose the Exceler. This is one great reel for not alot of bucks. Oh yeah, we had a pretty good day once the temp got up(35 to around 60 by noon). I caught several in the 1 1/2 to 3# range with the Exceler on a Black/Blue 1/2 oz jig, and several on a Ozark color Boogee.

One of my kayak buds and I are hitting some streams tomorrow. He is a big Daiwa fan, so we get into the usual AG vs. Daiwa conversations. Well, he has been using a Team Daiwa Advantage A and a Viento for most of his fishing, but has been wanting a new slam around/throw in the truck reel. He bought an Exceler a couple of days ago and is ecstatic over it. I told him alot of folks on here have been talking about it, but not used one yet. He said I was welcome to try it out. So, I plan on giving it a good run through tomorrow and maybe post some opinions on it.

I have a Black Max, Silver Max, and Pro Max, and like all three. They are great reels for the money. I have had Revos and liked them, but they were a little small. Looking at the Revo and Max side by side, I can't tell much difference. But in my hands the Max reels are larger, which is more comfortable to me.

Thanks reelmech, I think saltwater has been one of the reasons I love the rounds. A few screws and everything can be flushed with freshwater then relubed. I really like my Revos, but maintaining takes a good bit more effort. I have the store credit from a problem Revo, so I am thinking about begging the wife : to go ahead and get an Inshore next payday. Heck I have quit smoking, that should count towards something.

BassFeed is where I found out about the BR when Low_Budget_Hookers did an interview and mentioned the BR. I like BassEdge and another site on XM(they put some podcasts out).

I know there is a section about different types of fish and fishing, but this question is Reel specific. I do a little inshore/brackish/salt fishing throughout the year(my wife thinks I love the beach) and want to take my Revos this next time instead of the round Abu's. First off, I know that there is a Revo Inshore, but I have sworn to myself and my wife that I will buy no new tackle until July(my wife has a double 12gauge waiting on the bait monkey). Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of using the regular Revos(S,SX,STX) in a saltwater environment. I always clean my reels with freshwater and relube the rounds after they see salt, but the Revos are a little more difficult to get into. I know a couple of the Redfish Pros used Revos until the Inshore came out, but can find no additional information. Thanks.

Linewinder, I have never seen an actual cork spool. Several of my old reels have plastic arbor inserts with a thin cork coating/wrapping. To my understanding this was to reduce the weight/capacity of the spool, therefore reducing backlashes. The line originally used on these reels was like Dacron and very heavy. There are a few places on the internet dedicated to these old reels with great information, but they take some time with a search engine. Due to forum rules I won't post any links, but PM me and I will give you some links to try(you may already know them, I am just trying to help). Oh and about distance. These reels will cast a mile, but the occasional backlash is absolutely mind boggling. I have had a few that looked like sweater knitting.

I do not claim to be an expert on kayak fishing, but here is some experience and advice.I have canoed since I was big enough to hold a paddle. I have been kayaking for about 15 years and kayak fishing for around six. I used to only fly-fish from a yak, until I saw the saltwater guys using them for all kinds of inshore fishing. I said what the heck I'll try bass and catfishing from a yak. I have a small boat and access to several larger boats(jon, pontoon, and big bass), but I would rather paddle my kayak into some unpressured backwater anyday. I fish from a sit in kayak in freshwater and a sit-on-top in salt. One thing about kayak fishing is that you have to reduce the amount of tackle you take. When fishing from a boat I usually carry 5-7 rods and a huge tackle bag. In the kayak, I have 2 rods and a small bag. I take a few colors of plastics(lizards, worms, and craws), 6 different jigs, 4-6 cranks, several spinnerbaits and a small selection of lead and hooks. I also carry a rain suit, emergency kit, flashlight, extra rope, and a few other essentials in a dry bag, this I stuff into the rear of the yak. I think yakkers learn to use their tackle more efficiently, because you can't constantly change rods or lures. Fishing from a kayak is about simplicity. You can go places others can't and fish waters that rarely see anyone else. Another thing is that you are sitting down and cannot stand up, so some fishing techniques are extremely difficult, especially pitching and flipping. Sight-fishing is virtually impossible in freshwater. And sometimes if you happen to catch a large fish, particularly a catfish or carp, it can pull you around some. A kayak is not a substitute for a jon or bass boat, it is a different way of fishing altogether. Take this into consideration before jumping in head first, if your expectations are to fish like the Pros on TV or like some of the guys on BR, then you may be disappointed with a kayak and maybe should wait until a boat presents itself. If you are looking for a totally different style of fishing, then a kayak may be right up your alley. Good luck with your decision and fishing.

That would be a good kayak to start with. I have used the Zest on inshore bays in Florida. Are you set on a Sit on Top yak or would a Sit In interest you? You have many more options for your price range with a sit in and all kayaks can be customized for fishing.

I have several but this is my favorite. A Gephardt steel rod and J.A. Coxe 25-2 reel. I actually use this occasionally, reminds me how helpful the brakes on modern casters are.

How do you define experience? Number of years fishing although some only fished 12 days most of those years. Number of days fishing, but that was only on one stretch of water. I don't know but the original post could possible be about me, but I really don't care. Some days I am on the computer(at work) all day, and make several posts, some days none. I always post on something I know, or have EXPERIENCED. If not I state that "for me" or "in my opinion". If you do not want it , do not read it. If someone asks "What is the best baitcaster?", then the door is opened. If someone asks a question that could be answered by them going to page 2, then they open the door. How many times does someone ask about an Abu reel, only to have 6 replies telling them about Shimanos, even from moderators. How many times does someone ask about purchasing a G.Loomis/St.Croix, only to get replies that they would be wasting their money, get so and so. I really like one thread in this forum where a specific piece of gear was asked about. A replier with less numbers actually has the gear and voiced an opinion. Then a few posts down, another replier(with higher numbers) states that although they do not own the rod, their opinion is so and so(which mirrors the previous replier). The originator then thanks the guy without the equipment. Tell me number of posts doesn't mean anything to you guys, I say BULL.

Yeah, some fish can actually be used as "water horses". Last year, I caught a 31# Blue Cat that pulled me around the lake for about 30 minutes. I didn't fight him at all, just keep the line tight and held on. Now that was yak fun!!!

Dream Theater are the most talented band ever. I listen mostly to Scandinavian metal; Death, Viking, Black, Folk, etc. My favorite bands are Amon Amarth and Borknagar, I love to play along with my seven. Don't you love the G.Loomis sticker?

Yeah gettin a refund is nice, but what about the interest on that money. Thats what I'm waiting on.

Did I say that I bought the reel without opening the box? No. Did I inspect the reel? Yes, in a crowded and loud chain store. I guess your hearing is exceptional. It is my responsibility, but doesn't the store have a responsibility to the customer to remove known defective products from the shelf? Yes. Sir I did not claim that this was ultimately the stores fault, I am just upset that it was a previous return(with a problem) that was placed back on the shelf. No, I do not know rocket science, but I do know Nuclear Physics and Thermodynamics. In my job I have a responsiblility to the public to do my job correct and exact at all times, and not put the customer at risk. I guess it is stupid of me to expect the same from others in their jobs.

Hey guys, I was just wondering how many yak bassers are on the BR. I like being in a big boat, but something about paddling a yak I love. I enjoy the quiet(most of the time it is) and the ability to get into some really skinny water. The only downfalls are less gear(could be a positive) and the distance I am able to cover. Sometimes on busy water, a yak can suck. Like when a fellow basser must fly by you at mach 1 when you have a lap full of lures, or the seadoos that forget other people are around and do donuts non-stop.

My largest was 12.8, when I was 13 years old and she is hanging on the wall. That is the fish that got me hooked forever. I am still looking for another that big, except today I would release her. The past couple of years, most of my catches are dinks with the occasional 3-4 pounder. I did get one last year that weighed 9.7 and she was a HAWG.

I have one exactly like it except mine is came on a rod and reel combo. So far I am pleased with it, I use it alot when my daughter and I are walking the bank. I don't have a problem with graphite frames, my first low profile was an AG 2005LP that I use all the time.

I have both and fish both, from a GLoomis GLX to a Berkely Cherry wood. Heck one of my favorite rods is a Berkley Lightning that I use for spinnerbaits . The biggest differences for me are weight and sensitivity. When I am fishing plastics or jigs, I like the rod to be super sensitive.

WOW awesome job. Makes me want to try fixing up my little boat and keeping it.

I used a pontoon for a little while until a crankbait treble happened to puncture one of the pontoons in 25 feet of water. I tried a canoe for a while ,now almost 90% of my fishing is from a kayak. I would stay away from the inflatables. I have a small fiberglass boat that I am trying to sell, we could work something out, take a look in the ads section.

Nope the store was Gander Mountain, I don't know why I blanked it out in my post. The employee and manager were kinda ----oles, until they figured out that it was a previous return. They wanted me, at first, to send it to Abu and let them deal with it. Then they were very helpful and apologetic. Thanks for the offer Ghost, but I'm going to utilize the store credit on a couple of other things. I will just be sure to check them out thoroughly before purchase.

I have a BCR803 that has become my favorite rod. I like it so much that I try to use it as an all-purpose rod sometimes, such as spinnerbaits and cranks. The Mossyback is not in the GLX realm as far as sensitivity, more like between a GL3 and IMX. When compared to my IMX and GLX rods, the Mossyback seems to be on par in the weight/lightness category. I wish they made a larger selection in the Mossyback blank, that would probably become my only rod.

My longest casting reel is an Abu Garcia 7000. I can launch a 4 oz weight and squid past the waves on the Gulf Coast. Of couse I have it mounted on a 10' rod too. But back to your questions, my best casting reel is my Revo SX. With 15# Big Game and mounted on my BCR803, I can throw 5" senkos and 1/8oz t-rigged plastics a good ways, maybe 60 feet. I do get some decent overruns sometimes if the wind is blowing strong.

I don't have a Calcutta, I am an Abu Garcia fan myself. I have several favorites of the round reels depending on application. I love the C4 series and the new Records for jigging and worms. I love the older 5000 and Morrums for cranks and spinnerbaits. I have a fond place for the C3(catfish pullers) and the Rockets. I even like the low profile Revos and use them for everything. Some like the EXTs and D6s. I think which ever one you choose, whether it be Shimano, Diawa, or Abu, you would be happy and have a great reel. I personally would recommend the 5600C4 as a first round BC.