Bait Casting reel features

[Kdog]

I am in the process of setting up 2 bait casters for blade baits (Vibe style) as well as jigging raps.

There are so many options available that I am a bit confused and hope that someone here has some input to share. Currently, I have 2 bait casters, an old high speed diawa bought in the early 80's and a very old Penn (huge reel) from my trolling days.

First, I will be going left handed because I cannot reel RH. After that, I am getting lost,
one way clutch, magnetic clutch, spool release 8BB or up to 17BB. So anyone wants to chime in, feel free.

 

[papaperch]

Lots of experience with bait casters from the early 50's to the present. Way too much info to cover here. If you post what species of fish or if you want all around rig. Maybe I can be of a little help to you.

Blade baits can be cast and vertical jigged. Jigging raps are exclusively a vertical jigging style.

Also what preference on rod action and length will help as to what bait cast reel will perform best.

I prefer mostly light equipment. Easy to find in spinning gear not so easy in bait casting.

Price point would help too. Bait casters can be gawd awful expensive but they don't have to be. Good serviceable durable reels that are a pleasure to use can be found @ the 50 mark. If you lived in my corner of Ohio. You could stop by my garage. Which looks more fully stocked than some sporting goods stores. I must have a least a dozen baitcastin rigs.

 

[Pup]

This article, though discussing a specific vintage reel, raises some nice points about cost, spool weight, and magnetic brakes. It's definitely worth a read if purchasing any bait casting reel for the long term. It stimulates one's thinking by providing a nice discussion of fishing situations as they apply to the reel's function.

Best vintage baitcasting reel

 

[hookup]

I'd pick a cost range you're wallet is comfortable with and work from there.

Shimano's always been a top pick among many smallie anglers I know.

I played with a Daiwa Pixy & fell in luv with it, but my wallet said no.

My buddy just went out & replaced all his old BPS bait casters with Lew's and loves them.

If you can, 'speed' them up with synthetic lube & new bearings.

 

[Kdog]

These set ups are going to be for fall winter fishing using blade baits 1/2oz - 1oz range and jigging raps in same weight range. My preferred rod is a 6 1/2' - 7' which I already have in a med to medium heavy action. Walleye is my targeted species allthough the occasional 1-25# plus catfish can be anticipated as are about anything else that the lake has to offer.

Some days, we fish all day for that 20 minute bite window where catching is fast and furious. Reliability and weight are critical. Obviously I do not want to spend more than necessary but 75$/reel is not out of my budget. Not really worried about casting as we just flip our bait out about 10 feet and let it settle to the bottom, take up slack and start working. Drag is important, as is anti reverse. A nice big easy to use spool release is handy for gloves and clumsy hands.

Spinning reels, I know and have a lifetime supply, but they are less than ideal for blades. My preferrence is the TE PTiB series which has been discontinued.

Hookup, I agree the new synthetic lubes work wonders. A while back, I cleaned my old Mitchell 308 and lubed it with my hot sauce (lube and grease) for an annual fishing outing its a reel that has many cherished memories so once a year I get it out and go creek fishing for smallies. The modern lubes made it a new reel. I could not believe the difference. I could not believe the difference... It felt a lot like my shimano Sienna.

 

[papaperch]

Kdog- I would lean more toward the medium action for your stated application. Since casting needs are minimal. I would suggest the Garcia 5000c reel. These reels have stood the test of time. Not that hard to find in left-handed models either.

Good used ones can be found on Ebay. Over the years I have owned several of them mostly the 4600 size . A slightly lighter version. Parts are easily found if needed for repair. The only time I ever needed parts for them . Is when I lost something during a clean and lube.

I lean toward the lighter side because . The reduction in weight and mass is a big plus on long days. The vast majority of fish I
catch will weigh under 2 pounds. So I would rather use a rig that can handle the occasional bigger fish but maximize my enjoyment on my normal catches. The lighter action also help keep you in tune with what your blade bait is doing.

My version of an ideal walleye rig in bait casting using your parameters A Garcia 4601 C which is a left handed model. Paired with a 7 foot medium light to light rod.

 

[JSC]

I am with "papaperch" being a primary "Bait Caster" the 4600 series would be great .. may have a little trouble finding the RH Retrieve.
Since casting is not important most any would do the job.

 

[ACAMS]

Shimano and Lews will be the smoothest and best in my opinion ...... I have a $500 Diawa Steez and it is super light, but does not even compare in smoothness to the Lews, and DANG SURE not to any of my Shimano reels.

If you can swing the price, a Shimano Curado 200 would fit your needs here.

 

[Bucko]

Are you looking for a low profile reel or more of a bigger open water reel?

 

[earthworm77]

I'd pick a cost range you're wallet is comfortable with and work from there.

Shimano's always been a top pick among many smallie anglers I know.

I played with a Daiwa Pixy & fell in luv with it, but my wallet said no.

My buddy just went out & replaced all his old BPS bait casters with Lew's and loves them.

If you can, 'speed' them up with synthetic lube & new bearings.

I have always preferred Shimano casting reels. the Curado E series from a couple of years ago. I have a JDM Antares and an Adlabarran as well....awesome reels.

If you don't want to break the bank, look into Lew's speed spool series at the Lazer MG....for about 75.00, it is the best in this price point and I've used two of them on my own private pond in NC and they have caught a bunch of fish without any issues.

 

[BucktailJiger]

I got this one up for grabs . It is the Swiss made AbuC3 .

 

[Kdog]

Nice reel but its right handed if I'm not mistaken

 

[Kdog]

I appreciate everyones input and now have a lot of time for testing. This AM, a buddy stopped and told me he found me 2 baitcasters - left handed. Someone at a local bar needed money and claimed they were 300 dollar rigs. Desperate drunks are wonderful, 25 dollars for both. The reels appear to be undamaged other than some truck rash, nothing is bent or broken, are filthy but after cutting the birds nests out they feel very smooth. Both rods are broken 4''-5" from the tip and look to have once been nice rods.

The reels are Quantum Energy PT E101 Spt and supposedly I will get the original boxes and paperwork but I'm not holding my breath. I may have gotten lucky on this one or maybe not. But from what I have read, This is a very nice reel. Since they have been in the back of a truck for quite some time, a thorough cleaning and lube is in order. Downloading schematics and have a morning project and hopefully will have my rigs ready for fall fishing.

 

[hookup]

I fished a week in FL with a Quantum Energy - nice reel.

Might want to Google cleaning quantum baitcasters, and give them a good cleaning then take them out & find that 20 min window of fame.

 

[BucktailJiger]

American Legacy Fishing has some good deals going on now .

 

[Pup]

The reels are Quantum Energy PT E101 Spt and supposedly I will get the original boxes and paperwork but I'm not holding my breath. I may have gotten lucky on this one or maybe not. But from what I have read, This is a very nice reel. Since they have been in the back of a truck for quite some time, a thorough cleaning and lube is in order. Downloading schematics and have a morning project and hopefully will have my rigs ready for fall fishing.

I own a Quantum Energy E640PT bait cast reel. It's a good reel for soft plastic worm fishing with its 4.4:1 gear ratio. The minus to it is that its drag won't crank down to zero slippage. If you don't care about drag adjustment, then perhaps this fact doesn't matter.

 

[Kdog]

Got both reels completely tore down, each reel has several missing pieces total for parts is under $6.00 plus shipping. The bearings look OK but show some discoloration so I'm going to replace them as well.

I have to say, these little reels are complicated.... Thanks heavens I have a nice lighted magnifer for those tiny parts.

I looked at some aftermarket kits for upgrading but they are expensive and I doubt worth the money for my needs just going factory parts and even replacing some that I have will still be under $20. One thing I did notice was a lot more dirt inside the reels than I would have expected but riding in a work truck for months, I guess I should not be suprised.

Pup, max drag is listed at 17# and I usually use a 3-5# drag for fall. More than that, Tend to rip lips and really hang into submerged timber.