Favorit trolling reels?

[mytoyzfishing]

So what is everyone favoirite reels for pulling live bait? Have a couple of rods I a working on this winter and debating on what to put on them. I have a couple of abu 5600's I was thinking of pulling off some old rods. But before I did that wanted to see if there were other options that others liked that I might try.

[mwardncsu]

Are you talking about pulling planer boards at slow trolling motor speeds?

If so, the 7' MH Ugly Stik Striper Rods is what many use or something similar. Fairly economical at $30/rod.

[BentRod]

Reels Mward, reels.

Shimano Cardiff 400a is a sweet reel for the money. I have 8 and love and abuse them. The Calcutta 400B is even better but pricey.

[mwardncsu]

You need reels? I just tie on about 50' of 6 lb test to the end of my rod and off I go..... ;D

The Shimano stuff is nice from what I've seen with some of Tyler's and elsewhere. I've been using Pfleguer 66's that they don't make any more - they were around $80ish and have been good reels - picked several of mine up used off eBay and elsewhere. I've been moving to the Abu 6500LCs for down rods, and no reason they would not work for planer boards - and of course the non-Line counter version is an option. Lots of available upgrade parts (bearings, drags, etc) around for the Abu's which is nice if you need them.

[mytoyzfishing]

yea rods i dont have a short supply of ;D Ill have to check those out. Thanks.

[mytoyzfishing]

Just looked up what one of my wholesale suppliers has and they have a bunch of Shimano Cardiff 400a in stock. I might just have to place an order for a couple. Any one need anything or know of anyone needing anything? Can combine into my order when I place it.

[leeb]

I have Okuma Magda Pro MA45DX reels on my trolling rods

[mytoyzfishing]

anybody use the Penn 209m? I know they are old school looking, heck they been around for a long time. From what I have read on them they are really reliable and quite the power house of a real. Not to mention I can pick them up for $40 each.

[mwardncsu]

We'll usually set the board out and turn on the reel clicker which keeps enough tension on the line to prevent the spool from back-lashing and helps pull the boards "out" while you're pulling forward with the trolling motor. On some reels the clicker is too tight and the line won't play out with just the tension from the board.

Seems like I used a Penn reel when at the Bay with Tyler (may have been a little bigger one) and the clicker on it was too tight - you had to either go with the clicker off or hand-pull it.

But other than that, everything else I've seen is they are built like a tank..... not really something you want to cast much with, but....

[mytoyzfishing]

Hows the castability of the Magda pro's? I dont know how much casting I am going to be doing with these rods. I am building them more for pulling boards, floats, free lines, and down lines. The only time I will be tossing them is when catfishing. I like the clicker portion for down rods of the magda pro's but like the penn's for the parts availaity in the rare case something happens to them.

[leeb]

I have not tried to cast with them. I have other rod and reels for casting. I could try it next time I am out, or you can try one of them at the meet and greet.

[Gotcha]

Mytoys. I use penn 155 and penn 200s. And love them old school! Lot smaller profile without the level wind of the 209. The 209 is bulky to my liking! The 200 breaks down really easy where the enteral parts can be cleaned an greased. Life time reels. And made in the USA! Find them about 30$ on eBay need heavy weight 3oz to cast

I also use daiwa sl20sh! Haven't had them long but drag on them are slick but the price is up there! 120$. Cast like a dream!

[BentRod]

I have some Penn 309s. I like them, but I wouldn't want them for SML..too bulky n heavy. Overkill to be honest. The 209s are smaller but still bulky. The new Penns aren't what the old ones were anyways. Pure fishing crap.

The Magdas don't cast very well.

[mytoyzfishing]

Thanks for the all the input. Something caught my eye last night when taking the trash out. I had forgotten I had two ABU 7000i C3 mags on old bay rods sitting in the corner. Dusted them off and thought man those would look sweet on the rods I am building since the rods are going to be red in color. Just might have to find me some more of those. And now that I think about it when I do catfish I tend to lob the bait out from the boat so might not be a bad idea to have something that can do double duty.

[seajay]

Cant go wrong with abu garcia 6500 or 7000 . They hold up well and parts are easy to get.