Big T

I have both the Sahara and a old style Symtre. I would go with the Symtre it is a much better reel for $20 more.

I may be wrong but from what you described the lever on the side of the reel was the drag, some saltwater conventional as they are called in the saltwater world have two speed drags, especially on bigger game like Tuna, or other pelagics. If it had a star drag then that lever was the spool release, kind of like a cast button on say a curado. The reason they are so loud is that they have a bait clicker and alot of the time guys forget to turn it off during the fight. Oh Yea on those bigger saltwater reel like the on used for Tuna, you do not have to cast the rod, you just toss the line off the back or side and free spool it, most of the time you are using a 5 1/2 ft to 6 ft rod for Tuna, King Mackeral rod are longer say 6/12 to 7 ft. Hope this helps, Tony

Thanks for the reply's guys, looks like the 6'6 medium heavy fast tip is going to get the nod. I'm thinking about even getting a revo sx or citica100d to go on it instead of the 4600 c3.

I am thinking of getting a Shimano Compre rod for my Abu Garcia 4600c3, I am looking at the 6 1/2 ft in a medium action. Two questions: Is the medium action ok or would I be better served gettin a MH, also what which would be better a fast or extra fast tip. I forgot to mention that this is going to be a general purpose rig for now.

Bass Fishing: Linder's Angling Edge The Bass Pros Infisherman General Fsihing : The Hunt for Big Fish w/ Larry Dalhberg Saltwater: Fishing the Keys with Flip Pallot Sport Fishing Spanish Fly with Jose Wejebe

Mercedes Benz owns the Crysler Corp, but that does mean that a Dodge Neon is the same ball park as a Merceded Slk Coupe either, therefore it is not a logical conclusion to say that a Shakepeare reel gets the same parts as say a Pflueger or a Penn reel that is owned by the K2 corp. But that just my .02 cents worth. ;D

I have both the Shimano Sahara and the Symtre. Both are excellent reels. I have some Pfluegers, I am not as impressed with them as the Shimano's, my wife loves them though.

I am not sure about the Charlotte Location but at the Mrytle Beach location yesterday they had the Bionic Blaeds for $49 and the Extremes for $59. If you could spend the $10 extra the Extreme would be the way to go. They usually sell for $99. Big T

Cart, Those are some nice reels, pretty expensive though. I know the orange reel is an high speed version, I was just wondering if they were ok or were they junk. I ike the thumb bar on it. I may just stick to the old reliable C4 series. I have 4600 C3 that I bought from Flechero, It is is great reel but I am thinking of getting a 5500 or 5600 series for fishing for redrum and flounder because of the extra line capacity. Thanks, Big T

I do not do as much Bass fishing as most members of this site, however I am going to say this if Swindle had came that close to another boat in King Mackeral Tournament, it would not even have to be that close just close enough to cut a line or a down rigger ball, the guys around here would probably make shark bait out of him. I mean to move that close to another boat at that speed is just ludicris and rude. I would be willing to bet that you would never see Rick Clunn pull a stunt like that. That is just my opinion though. Big T

I saw on Ebay these orange Abu Garcia 5600 cl rocket and some viloet or purple 5600 c4 reels. Wondering if anyone has heard of them and were they any good, or are they cheap knockoffs that Abu Garcia has made. Thanks Big T

They are a new line of reels that just came out, I have seen the ad for months now in a lot of my saltwater fishing magazines. I overheard a guy at one of my local tackle shops knocking them, but considering they do not carry these reels I did not think he knew what he was talking about. Also these reels were designed to hold braid and light line. Go to USReels.com and you can get more info. They look nice in the photo. I thought about getting one for inshore light tackle duty. Hope this helps, Big T

I am a former Wal-mart employee and my wife still works there as second job. It is true all the stores that are going through remodel are going to stop selling fire arms. We have two stores here in Wilmington, NC; the older store went trough a remodel last year. They installed these nice gun racks then corporate decided not to sell firearms. Only bb and pellet guns. Now these cabinets are used to dislpay Penn reels and Paint Ball accessories, what a waste of money. Big T

I have a 7 ft. Shimano Clarus mounted with a 4000 series Symtre. It is about five years old and has served me well. I have caught redfish here along the coast in Se North Carolina and it has never given me any trouble. Reel is still smooth, it might would be even smoother if I would send it to Reel Mech for some cleaning and such. I hate to part with it, however I have some new reels to use in its place so I am starting to see a road trip in its future.

I voted for Shimano. My Clarus even though it is only $60 dollar rod has taken a beating, I also have a St.Croix Triumph that I personally hate and a Bps Extreme Spinning rod. I just received a Key Largo spinning rod for Christmas that I plan on using for Inshore saltwater. I may try to get another one for heavier applications. I am looking at getting a 7ft. Casting rod. My ulimate choice in rods are Cape Fear rods, my wife has one that I won as door prize. For saltwater those are the best rods. I know they use to make a technical bass rod but I am not sure how well it was made. It is a shame that htey had to close the factory here in Wilmington where I live. > My rods serve a dual purpose as I tend to saltwater fish than Bass fish, however if I were going to strictly bass fish I would upgrade to a Shimano Compre or the Crucial series. ;D Big T

You are correct. The Bionic Blades are on sale for $49.95 this year, however for $59.95 you can purhase the Extreme. I can hear the bait monkey calling as well, I have been trying to fight him off as I just got a new setup for my Birthday/Christmas. I lost a minor battle yesterday as I was at the local Wally World and found a Quantum Accurist Ac 500Pt display that was marked down from $99.95 to $40. Big T

I have had a couple of Okuma's lower end spinning reels for that I used for saltwater fishing. They are pretty good reels for the money. I have buddy who has caught 20 # King Mackeral with a 50 series Avenger spinning reel that I sold him. If I were going to buy another I would try to get the Vs series. It is their top of the line model or the Epixor series in spinning. I beleive there are several members on this site that use Okuma's excusively. You may want to ask Fish Chris, I believe he uses these reels. I have seen some of the monster fish he catches so I know they can handle the load Hope this helps, Big T

Nice Fish Bassn Blvd. Makes me want to move to Florida even more. We do not have Snook here in Southeastern NC, we do get some Tarpon during the extreme heat of the summer, plus it is freezing cold here.right now It seems like the wind has been blowing and rainy forever. I can't wait for spring to arrive. Big T

Get the best outfit you can afford. You will be much happier in the long run. If you can wait and live near a BPS, then go to the Spring Classic Sale. You can find some really good deals. Last year I bought the 2005 model of the Quantum Kinetic reel for $40 and a Bps Extreme rod which normally sells for $99 for $59. If you are not with in driving distance from one then you ight want to look at buying the rod and reel seperatly. I belive you can get the Shimano Sahara, which is great reel for the money, for $59. The Shimano Sedonna which I have heard is a decent reel for $49. Then you could get yourself the BPS Tourney Special rod. I believe those are on sell for eihter $29 or $39 dollars. That is around your $70 to $80 dollar budget and you will have much better outfit. Plus if something go wrong with reel it would be easier to have fixed than an store brand. I just sent a older Sahara reel that the plastic plate had come off the side, back to Shimano and they fixed it, no questions asked. The only thing it cost was the $5 or $6 dollars to ship to the factory. Hope this helps' Big T

I am not from Georgia but I do alot of saltwater fishing here in NC. I have used berkley saltwater gulp on two hook bottom rigs. All you need to do is cut the gulp shrimp just as you would the reel thing. Gulp is biogradle so it will dislove if it is taken by a smaller fish. Ask someone locally for colors. New penny and white seems to work around here. Also if there is a Walmart or tackle shop nearby, try getting yourself some cut mullet strips. Bluefish and Big Red drum will bite it. Good Luck and Have Fun! Big T

Thanks Fishtank,I saw that offer as well. It will come in handy because I am going to bite the bullet and try some Evolution and I think I might try the Floroclear as well on some of my bottom saltwater rigs as well. Big T

I may be wrong, but I think a co-polymer line is a little srtonger and more abrasion resistant than regular mono. Alot of saltwater guys use it for trolling.

Penn has already lost something, the fact that they are no longer being made in the USA, the only reels that are still being made over here are the gold Internationals, everything esle is being made in China.

Thanks for the input. Chis I did the same thing, I stood there looking for the same amount of time. Castaway , you use the saame size I was going to buy, I plan on putting it on my inshore saltwater reels, therefore i need something strong. I may in up bitting the bullet and trying 30# braid.

I saw this line at Dick's Sporting Goods, it is supposed to be a thinner copolymer line with 40% less stretch. I was wondering if anyone has tried this line and what your thoughts on it are. I might just have to get a spool and try it. Thanks for any input. Big T.