Low profile baitcaster advice?

Geezle · #1 05-07-2011, 09:17 PM

The short version of the story is that I have two baitcasting rods that I want to use, but only one reel.

Rod #1 is a 6'6" Shimano Sojourn, medium power, fast action. Nothing fancy but I have the spinning version of the same rod and I really like it for walleye and smaller stuff.

Rod #2 is a 7' Rapala TS2 (jig/soft plastic) with a medium rating. It's on the stiffer side and won't toss jigs worth crap, so I want to use it for chucking bigger stuff for pike.

The reel I currently have is an older Quantum Code with the 6.3:1 gear ratio. From what I understand they now have a 7.1:1 ratio

The reel is loaded up with 30lb Sufix 8675309. Wait...that's Jenny's number

(we'll see who gets that one

)

So really, the reel I have now can be used on either rod...but what do I put on the other one?

And for that matter, what does one look for as far as quality goes on these low-pro baitcasters?

For now I'll say my budget for the reel is around $100. I see WSS has a couple on sale (Shimano Chromica 100B, Pflueger Trion) but when it comes to baitcasters I have no idea what's good and what's not. I have a brand preference towards Shimano, but that's by no means a hard and fast rule.

Willowtrail · #2 05-07-2011, 09:48 PM

Hey Jay, I bought this one last year and put 50 lb braid on it and loved it. Used it at Wab on my 6'6" Berkley lightning rod shock medium action. Fits your budget and performed great.

http://ca.wholesalesports.com/storef...rod245262.html

horsetrader · #3 05-07-2011, 09:53 PM

Get something with a 7.1:1 put it on the rapala use it to throw for pike they will chase the speed and I would stick to shimano over pflug. Just my opinion

Geezle · #4 05-07-2011, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by horsetrader

Get something with a 7.1:1 put it on the rapala use it to throw for pike they will chase the speed and I would stick to shimano over pflug. Just my opinion

I haven't done a lot of research yet, but is the 7.1 gearing very common?

I haven't used it a lot but so far I do like the older Quantum Code that came into my posession, so I wouldn't be opposed to a newer Code with the 7.1 gearing...

horsetrader · #5 05-07-2011, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geezle

I haven't done a lot of research yet, but is the 7.1 gearing very common?

I haven't used it a lot but so far I do like the older Quantum Code that came into my posession, so I wouldn't be opposed to a newer Code with the 7.1 gearing...

Shimamo has a few 7.1 and even more at 7.0 either would be good

Geezle · #6 05-08-2011, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by horsetrader

Shimamo has a few 7.1 and even more at 7.0 either would be good

It looks like Shimano doesn't have any with 7.0 or 7.1 gearing that are within my budget range. I think Quantum and Diawa do though.

Even with the 6.3 gearing on the Code I have now I noticed it really cooks on the retrieve compared to any of the spinning reels I have though.

This will likely be the last new reel I purchase for a while (I'm getting severely overstocked

) so I want to make sure I'm getting something I'm going to be happy with

GaryF · #7 05-08-2011, 09:43 AM

From my experience, stick to a 6.2 ish gear ratio. The high speed gear ratio is fine if you need to rip something in at 3 feet every handle turn, but I just crank faster with a 6.2. I can also slow down the retrive to match a 5.1 gear ratio if needed.

howlin · #8 05-08-2011, 11:29 AM

8675309 lol i havent heard that tune in years.

Geezle · #9 05-08-2011, 08:20 PM

Well, the Code shat the bed today

Cal · #10 05-08-2011, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geezle

Well, the Code shat the bed today

Unless your realy stuck on the low profile thing I would recomend the Abu Garcia Ambasadeur. I'd put a 5000 on the pike rod and a 4500 on the walleye one. They wont crap the bed.

Dust1n · #11 05-08-2011, 08:48 PM

th abu garcia porno looked on the one show.

Fishfinder · #12 05-08-2011, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howlin

8675309 lol i havent heard that tune in years.

Ah yes, I can hear it in my head now, can't recall the band though.
HA, good one Geezle

Fishfinder · #13 05-08-2011, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish Hunter7

th abu garcia porno looked on the one show.

Ummm

er wait a second

ummm

translation required please

horsetrader · #14 05-09-2011, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geezle

It looks like Shimano doesn't have any with 7.0 or 7.1 gearing that are within my budget range. I think Quantum and Diawa do though.

Even with the 6.3 gearing on the Code I have now I noticed it really cooks on the retrieve compared to any of the spinning reels I have though.

This will likely be the last new reel I purchase for a while (I'm getting severely overstocked

) so I want to make sure I'm getting something I'm going to be happy with

Sorry geezle did not see your budget their defenetly not cheap.

LiegeRiver · #15 05-09-2011, 07:55 AM

Hey, bud, have you checked out the new Caenen (sp?) baitcaster, by Shimano? I think they're right around $100.00. I use a Shimano Curado, but I think it's more than you want to spend, at $170-ish or so.

LR

Geezle · #16 05-09-2011, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cal

Unless your realy stuck on the low profile thing I would recomend the Abu Garcia Ambasadeur. I'd put a 5000 on the pike rod and a 4500 on the walleye one. They wont crap the bed.

I've got a couple bigger baitcasters I just need to pick up from the Reel Doctor - Two Shimano Catala's - one in 400 size and one in 200. I was thinking that the 200 may make a good pike reel, but they'd both make good baitfishing reels for the river as well. So I guess you could say that I am sorta stuck on the low profile baitcaster thing for now.

Geezle · #17 05-09-2011, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiegeRiver

Hey, bud, have you checked out the new Caenen (sp?) baitcaster, by Shimano? I think they're right around $100.00. I use a Shimano Curado, but I think it's more than you want to spend, at $170-ish or so.

LR

Yeah, I've been eyeing that one up

walleyeca · #18 05-14-2011, 01:03 PM

Hey Geezle I would not suggest a 7.1.1 burner of any sort! i think you were in the store the other day and saw all those burnt down high speed abu garcias??? An dthat brass on brass gearing! that guys bill is $479 LOL good for me bad for him! But he uses them for big lakers! the higher speed reels cant handle the power of a pike at least not for a long time! Im just sayin and I may know what Im talkin about! lol

BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES · #19 05-14-2011, 03:54 PM

x 2 what Walleyeca , says . 7:1:1 might be good to bring in them spoons , cranks , spinners etc . But it doesnt have the power . For the pike fishermen you are go with a 6.2:1 , or even 6.3:1 , or go with old faithful 5.2:1 , or 5.3:1 . That will give you the power with out having to replace a reel or its parts in a year or two .

Go back to his store and look at some of them other reels hes got , lots in that price range buddy . In fact picked up a Okuma Convector CV 30 D , for about a 100 bucks .

Geezle · #20 05-14-2011, 08:37 PM

Thanks guys. I'm in a bit of a holding pattern now. With a bit of super glue I can take care of the stupid little broken plastic piece that's got my Code out of action.

From there maybe I'll just keep an eye out for a good deal when I stumble across one. I checked out what the RD has but sadly most of his stuff is set up for left hand retrieve, and I'm a righty

DarkAisling · #21 05-15-2011, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishfinder

Ah yes, I can hear it in my head now, can't recall the band though.
HA, good one Geezle

Tommy Tutone

Geezle · #22 05-30-2011, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geezle

Thanks guys. I'm in a bit of a holding pattern now. With a bit of super glue I can take care of the stupid little broken plastic piece that's got my Code out of action.

From there maybe I'll just keep an eye out for a good deal when I stumble across one. I checked out what the RD has but sadly most of his stuff is set up for left hand retrieve, and I'm a righty

Well, I stumbled across my sweet deal last week. TFH had the Quantum Burst on sale for half price, so I decided to grab one, and I'm happy I did. For the price it's a surprisingly nice little reel...casts really nice and the retrieve is buttery smooth! I'll probably use it mainly as a pike reel - I got it loaded up with 30lb Spiderwire and it's got the 7:1 gearing so it's great for quickly ripping the lures by pike. So far I've caught half a dozen or so walleye with it and it's performing great.

As for the Code, my superglue job didn't hold, but I managed to get a hold of the part from The Reel Doctor - I just need to take the time to pull the reel apart and replace it