Reel Recommendation For Muskie?

[dmhuffman]

Hey guys,

   I've been seriously thinking about trying out Muskie fishing over the last couple months, but have been waiting to figure out what kind of gear to get.  Cabela's recently had their Tourney Trail casting reels on sale for $32.99, so I ordered a heavy rod since it was such a good deal.  Here are the rod specs:

Length: 7'6"

Power: Heavy

Action: Fast

Lure Weight: 1-3 oz

Lb Test: 17-40

 

Now, Ive been looking into several options for a reel.  I'm wanting a reel that I can use for musky, but I would also like to use it for something like Striper fishing or pier fishing at the beach (If that is possible with this setup).   I'm looking for a reel in the $100 price range, so I've mostly been looking at the Abu Garcia Ambassadeur C4 6600, but I have also looked at the Shimano Cardiff 400A or the Shimano Corvalus.

 

Given my intetions for musky/ occasional saltwater fishing, which reel would you guys recommend me look into getting?

 

Thanks!

Dillon

[Lucky Craft Man]

The Abu Garcias are a classic in the musky fishing world (though, I would suggest a C3 instead of a C4. The C3 seems to be a little more durable. Also, the C4 is a higher gear ratio, which I find is only good for musky Jerkbaits and topwater. Anything else and the C4 just labors in bringing in the line, especially for bucktails).

With that being said, I would probably consider the Shimano Cardiff 400 out of the ones you mentioned. Not a bad reel and may be a little smoother than the Abu Garcias (though, admittedly, I have not used the "new" C3's and C4's).

I am not sure I was much help, but good luck in your search.

[dmhuffman]

Thanks for the help! Between the C3 and C4 I had been leaning toward the C3 for the reasons you mentioned.  I know shimano's are supposed to be great, and my buddy seems to like his cardiff 100 for bass, but I have never used one.  I mostly bass fish and just want to get this gear for the occasional use, so the Cardiff would be better on a price standpoint too.  Do you think it would hold up okay in using it once in a blue moon in salt water?  I might be moving to central VA in the next year and am thinking about fishing in the Chesapeake bay some. I know the Abu's have stainless bearings in them, but I'm not sure about the Cardiffs. 

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Abu hands down ,lots of tweaking you can do to it not that it needs it .and yup get the c3 .BTW you can hand the abu down to your great grandchildren

[SirSnookalot]

You have totally 2 different types of fishing, one is freshwater that can have some vegetation and heavier lures are used.  You need a rod that can handle the lure weights as well as the vegetation. The other type of fishing is going to be more open water, you can use heavier rigs like an umbrella for trolling or you can cast with lighter gear.  For stripers I'd be using a mh spinning rod and 4000 reel.  I happen to have a set up that I could use for both species, that being a 7' 25 lb spinning rod, max lure 2 1/2 or 3 oz, saddled up with a Abu soron 60 reel.  Reel holds 250 yds of 30# braid, max drag of 30#, only weighs 15 oz.

[Bankbeater]

Abu 5600 C3 held the one I caught without problems.

[ColdSVT]

My buddy uses a gen 1 and gen 2 revo winch...i use a calcutta

Id check a curado 300 out too

[5dollarsplash]

For the price range that your in I'd lean towards the c3.  The only factor that would steer me toward the cardiff is the push button.  If its comfortable for you then perfect, if get blisters easy not so much. 

 

Also, I'd look at a size down from the reels you mentioned if they are only going to be used on occasion for muskie.  The 6k abus and 400 shimano's are big honkin reels, and the 5k and 300's just seem a lot more comfortable to me.  Look at the line your going to use along with how much you really need on the reel.  A 300 shimano will hold about 150 yards of 65lb braid.

[dmhuffman]

Yeah, I know theyre beastly reels.  The only thing that I dislike about the 300 and 5500s are that I dont think they dont have a baitclicker (which would come in handy for catfish or trolling), but that's not necessarily a deal breaker.  I do think i'd like the thumb button on the cardiffs, but Ive heard some people say the cardiffs are kind of cheaply made.  Does anyone have experience with the 300 or 400 reels in similar applications?

[SPEEDBEAD.]

 

401 Cardiff throws 5-10oz baits just fine for me. I've owned C3s and they are a bulletproof reel.

 

Between the two, I like the overall performance of the Cardiff.

[F14A-B]

That's a cool pic... Speedbead!

Gotta love that!

[SMB101]

Cardiff 400 gets my vote for sure. It's a good start. I would say to shop around through the net. You may find a Calcutta 400B for about 150.00. That baby is smooooth and dependable. Can last a long time.

Don't let the reel size scare you.

Also, if you haven't caught a muskie watch out. Cause when you do you may catch the muskie fever...and will start another tackle collection. Bait monkey gets bigger.

[MacP]

 

Abu 6501 with Power handle.  Cranking big lures all day needs a bigger handle, IMO.

[SirSnookalot]

I agree about a power handle, although I mainly use spinning, I do have conventional reels used offshore with power handles.  Not only do I think the reeling is easier but much more cranking power with a fish on.  

[5dollarsplash]

+1 on the power handle, makes winding those big baits in a lot easier as the day wears on.

 

If you can find a calcutta for 150 I'd go that route, and it may be worth going to a 400 size at that point as you gain 6lbs of drag.

 

I really feel that the trade off with the cardiff isn't worth it between the 300 and 400.  You gain 3oz of reel for 1lb of drag.  Unless your worried about line capacity or a baitclicker for catfishing, the 300 would serve better double duty for bass swimbaits and muskie fishing.

[dmhuffman]

Thanks for all the advice guys!  I think when I get some money together, I''m going to go with the Cardiff 300.  Given my budget, and the fact that Im not going to musky fish very often, I think its a good match.  Plus it's a good match for bass swimbaits like you said.  I'll let you guys know for sure what I get when I get it, and Ill be sure to post some pics of anything I haul in with it.

 

Thanks again!

[J Francho]

I'd be looking at Cardiff or Calcutta.

[basshole8190]

double%20musky%20013a.jpg

401 Cardiff throws 5-10oz baits just fine for me. I've owned C3s and they are a bulletproof reel.

Between the two, I like the overall performance of the Cardiff.

listen to this man. he knows what he's talking about.

[Ratherbfishing]

I am not a reel expert but whatever you get should be very sturdy-not just for when you hook a musky but the hard wear put on reel from chucking and winding those big musky baits.  It will wear out a wimpy reel in a heart beat!

[dmhuffman]

Thanks for all the advice guys, if everything works out, I should be buying a used Ambassadeur C3 6500.  I was wanting to go with the cardiff, but I'm getting the reel with fresh 50# power pro, a bucktail, and a leader for $65. So I plan to buy it next week.

[VolFan]

If you run braid, make sure you dial that thing in with a cheap bait before throwing anything with feelings attached. It makes the snap sound even more sickening when it's a Franklin(or two) hitting the depths.