Richyd 8 Posted October 31, 2021 Report Share Posted October 31, 2021 Hey guys, about to go away soon and just found that my Abu Garcia ambassadeur 7000 reel is completely seized. I have been having lots of issues with it over the last couple of years and this is the final straw to replace it. Im looking at getting a new reel to replace it, hopefully something that can be used for larger fish but will mainly be used off a boat. Does anyone have any good suggestions. Price guide is probably around the $150 but if there is a good reel then I'm happy to spend more. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Territory Lad 1,137 Posted October 31, 2021 Report Share Posted October 31, 2021 Do you have a preference for overhead / baitcaster vs spin? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richyd 8 Posted October 31, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2021 Definitely spin but if there is a baitcaster that quality and price can't beat, then happy with that too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Soobz 559 Posted October 31, 2021 Report Share Posted October 31, 2021 Really need to match it with a rod. At $150-200 there are some very good reels. Penn Spinfisher VI for robust and well sealed Daiwa Fuego a tad more refined but not as well sealed At the cheaper end the Shimano Sedona might be worth a look. Check out what this guy uses, he punishes reels: https://www.youtube.com/c/EliasVFishing Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richyd 8 Posted October 31, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2021 The rod is a Penn 'sports' 6601OHBH if that means anything? Line capacity 10-12kg and rod length 2m. I was told that it was designed for an overhead reel but then I was also told that I didn't matter. Happy to go with someone who knows what they are doing though! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
plankton 725 Posted October 31, 2021 Report Share Posted October 31, 2021 Overhead rods have smaller guides, especially closer to the reel seat, and won't cast very well with a spin reel. If you're just dropping bait straight down then it doesn't matter as much. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richyd 8 Posted October 31, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2021 Yeah, it's certainly not a casting rod, so I'll just be using it to drop off the side of a boat Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kelvin 2,288 Posted November 1, 2021 Report Share Posted November 1, 2021 As long as the rod has no trigger grip it will be fine for boat fishing. Heaps of reels in the price range. What do you fish for and what line strength do you use? braid or mono? I like Shimano for midrange and Daiwa for high end threadlines. Penn are also very nice in the mid price range but heavy. I've picked up a Penn Slammer 3 recently at a good price as they are discounting to make way for version 4. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richyd 8 Posted November 1, 2021 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2021 I generally use braid. I have bought line for years to be honest (I haven't been fishing much at all though). I think I generally use about 20-25 pound? Maybe it's best that I just go into a a store and ask- I always just wonder if schmucks like me get taken advantage of Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yellow door 1 1,847 Posted November 1, 2021 Report Share Posted November 1, 2021 The only time I'd consider using an over head reel, is if there was lots of current and I was using heavy mono. And the only reason for that is - over head reels make it easier to detect when your sinker hits the bottom in a raging out going tide. But for everything else - I use threadlines. I've got a soft spot for Shimano bait runners - Having the option to allow fish to pick up baits, with almost no resistance, can be handy on tough bights. It also really handy when there is a sea of undersized pinkies using the resistance from your rod tip, to rip pillies and silver whiting off your hooks. You just let them have their 10cm runs, time and time again, until the clicker starts telling different story. Its also a really fun way to fish, especially when the clicker starts off in a weird way then starts screaming off - adds an extra dimension for me anyway. And if you get sick of that - just flick the switch and its a normal reel again. I've got a few of the big old heavy ones - but they are over kill for where I now fish - so I picked up a few of these and some 4-8kg graphite flick sticks to match. They are my light weight snapper outfits But I often fish as light as I can get away with. Big rays and sharks arent a likely catch where we fish. So there is not real need for heavy gear. Ive had em for a couple of years with no probs yet https://www.anacondastores.com/fishing/fishing-reels/spinning-reels/shimano-baitrunner-st-4000-spinning-reel/BP90083589-black-silver Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Soobz 559 Posted November 1, 2021 Report Share Posted November 1, 2021 54 minutes ago, Richyd said: Maybe it's best that I just go into a a store and ask- I always just wonder if schmucks like me get taken advantage of Tackleworld Adelaide, Sportsfishing Scene Cavan, are generally good but does depend which salesperson you get. Also member @Kuerschie at BCF Richmond won't lead you astray. Honestly though, stick to a budget and reels these days are damned good even at the cheap end (well except for some of the really dodgy Chinese brands). You are mainly paying more for smoother, lighter, better sealing, durability, rather than functionality. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kelvin 2,288 Posted November 1, 2021 Report Share Posted November 1, 2021 If you are using a glass rod and 20lb braid then for $200, get a Daiwa BG 4000 Alan Hawk's review 2016 Daiwa BG - AlanHawk.com Best Spinning Reels - AlanHawk.com He rates it the best general saltwater reel under $150 (US) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yellow door 1 1,847 Posted November 1, 2021 Report Share Posted November 1, 2021 Yeah those BGs are tough units - They're the only reel Ive owned to survive my bike slamming it into the ground when it gets blown over in the wind - Ive killed a few that way. I just wedged it into a guard rail - bent the handle back - and its as good as new Quote Link to post Share on other sites
plankton 725 Posted November 1, 2021 Report Share Posted November 1, 2021 20 hours ago, yellow door 1 said: The only time I'd consider using an over head reel, is if there was lots of current and I was using heavy mono. And the only reason for that is - over head reels make it easier to detect when your sinker hits the bottom in a raging out going tide. But for everything else - I use threadlines. I've got a soft spot for Shimano bait runners - Having the option to allow fish to pick up baits, with almost no resistance, can be handy on tough bights. I prefer overheads for most things above 10-12lb. I find they are better at casting, managing your line and keeping in touch with your bait. They are also better when fighting larger fish and usually smaller and lighter than spinning reels with comparable line capacity. Many people shy away from them because they don't want to take the time to learn how to use them. But everyone is free to make their own tackle choices. SurfcaztR 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yellow door 1 1,847 Posted November 1, 2021 Report Share Posted November 1, 2021 1 hour ago, plankton said: I prefer overheads for most things above 10-12lb. I find they are better at casting, managing your line and keeping in touch with your bait. They are also better when fighting larger fish and usually smaller and lighter than spinning reels with comparable line capacity. Many people shy away from them because they don't want to take the time to learn how to use them. But everyone is free to make their own tackle choices. Dont worry I can hit a crab in the eye, from 40m, with a bait caster But I have run them through all the tests that match the styles of fishing I do and they only win in a few categories. Some of those categories can be a deciding factor depending on where I fish. There was a time when they were the best reel for my needs - but they arent anymore But for the majority of the fishing I do, The draw backs of using them, out weigh the benefits Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yellow door 1 1,847 Posted November 1, 2021 Report Share Posted November 1, 2021 There was a time I had trouble hitting a 300ml bottle in the back yard - But as you say - practice makes perfect If he had asked what the best reel for super accurate short to medium range casting - with weights over 1/8th ounce, my answer would have been different Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yellow door 1 1,847 Posted November 1, 2021 Report Share Posted November 1, 2021 and if you dont go with a bait runner there are ways to get similar results from a standard reel with a rubber band or toothpick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richyd 8 Posted November 2, 2021 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2021 Thanks everyone for the replies it is very much appreciated. I did end up getting a Shimano baitrunner- mainly because I do love the feature (I only remembered this after Yellow door posted about it, but it is actually one of the reasons that I went with the abu Garcia reel in the first place!). It was also slightly cheaper. It was a very hard decision and the Daiwa was definitely close! Tha ks again everyone for their help yellow door 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kelvin 2,288 Posted November 2, 2021 Report Share Posted November 2, 2021 You'll be happy with the baitrunner yellow door 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yellow door 1 1,847 Posted November 2, 2021 Report Share Posted November 2, 2021 Yeah when it comes to bait fishing versatility. They are a hard reel to go past Ive got bait runners that are 20 years old. As long as you give the parts a lube every 10 years. They”ll be sweet The new ones are probably built to break a bit quicker than that. But mine haven’t skipped a beat, with no maintenance and moderate to high use, over 2 years Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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