Where To Buy Good Cheap Swimbait Reels

[hatrix]

So I was looking for a Abu C3 or something similar a little while back to put o a extra swimbait rod I wasn't using. I ended up finding one and now I am looking for another. It is hard to beat them when they can be had used for $40-50. I don't really have much luck finding them on traditional bass site or even swimbait sites but then it hit me. Catfishing sites are absolutely loaded with them for cheap. You would think there is some kind of law that you can only use Abu's cause its all you see.

 

So for people who make these swimbait threads or need another reel for bigbaits or whatever go find a catfishing forum. There is nothing wrong with throwing them on a C3, C4 or whatever. They have been around forever cause they last forever. There is also tons of monster catfish rods I don't know how weel that would work for big swimbaits ect but I am sure plenty are heavy enough to throw some pretty seruious baits. You could score a whole setup for super cheap and if it turns out you dont dig it and its not for you at least you didn't drop a bunch of money to find out.

[kcdinkerz]

Plus you got a catfish rig lol

[hatrix]

I was just looking for the reels to put on unused swimbait rods. You could use them for deep divers also. You could probably bomb a carolina rig way out them and wouldnt be to bad if you get one thats 6:4 or higher. Anything you need big line / lots of line and need to cast far.

 

I just found a BNIB C4-5600 for $65 shipped that I am about to buy. That is a hell of a deal.

[edfitzvb]

My first "quality" baitcast reel was an Abu Garcia 5500 C3 back about 30 years ago. I started out most of my life using spinning gear, but I kept seeing pros use baitcasting stuff, so I bought a cheap Daiwa combo, learned how, and then took the plunge with the Abu. I remember it felt like a Swiss watch compared. The things last forever. That one is gone (young boys leave things) but I have a 6500 spooled on a heavy rod and a couple of other "round reels" if the need arises. They will indeed cast a long way. They are not as comfortable in today's age of low profile reels, but then again comfort doesn't enter the conversation much when throwing big swimbaits or umbrella rigs.

[hatrix]

One thing about them is lots of parts are interchangeable and they are super upgradable. Not to mention parts for them are super easy to come by if you ever needed them. I would rather take these reels over a Cardiff or something. You eventually get used to a round reel and they palm easily enough and I don't have giant hands. That was one thing I was worried about back in the day when switching to a round reel but they just fit on the rods I use them for.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Abu for life

[F14A-B]

Indiana state channel cat ( 68 pound ) caught off the Dam of ? ( I'm not saying ) the reel? A Zebco 33, no joke.. Catfishing is live bait or cut, the reel is a line holder, the rod is really important as is line.. The reel, not so much.. Swimbaiting casting & retrieving is a whole different deal. Clutch dependability, casting control, gear durability etc.. Seems catfishers around here don't maintain the reels at all.. It boils down to the almighty dollar.. Shimano, Daiwa, ABU would serve you well..most abu are cheap to buy & repairable.. Seems that might be a good fit for you, as your looking for a add on reel..

Oh, the aforementioned record was broke 2 weeks later by a guy fishing the white river.. Unbelievable!

[Fisher-O-men]

Catfish guys like the clicker on 6000 and up. 

[hatrix]

There are plenty of swimbaits who use abu's they are super tuff and good reels. I mean not Calcutta or pluton good but plenty fine. They are very easy to repair and I am talking about reels with a normal thumbar and not clicker. I would always use my Luna over any of those abu's but they work good even so and are dirt cheap.

As for the guy with a zebco there is a guy around here who slays some musky and other big fish with a 404 all day. It's more about technique and knowledge then anything.