Can we talk about finesse Casting rigs?

[Jeff H]

In 2-3 yrs time report back on your finesse caster addiction/collection.  It's a fun ride!

[Further North]

You guys are a big help....

[0119]

On 4/11/2016 at 4:36 PM, oldschoolbasser said:

I've enjoyed this thread,and I appreciate being able to give my perspective on small Ambassadeurs. They have a world wide cult following,not just because they're great reels,but being able to tune,and customize them is a big part of it too. 41 years after they came out,you can still get parts for them,and many more aftermarket parts are being produced. No other reel company has the following like ABU Garcia. We're world wide,and dedicated to our old,slow,and heavy round reels. Unfortunately,Pure Fishing continues to neglect us,but we'll find a way to keep our reels going.

I've been Jones'ing for this thread for days and had to check it even if I was in the middle of the Caribbean Sea!  It is sad Joel, that Pure Fishing ignores the old Ambassadeur crowd in lieu for their Revo "future".  I often wonder if they would be foolish enough to sell the old Abu Museum to some Swedish land developer.  

[oldschoolbasser]

I don't think that would ever happen as it is a National Treasure. Pure Fishing is losing out on some big money not taking care of us "Old Reel Crowd" Maybe Simon can expanded hos operation to include parts for our small Ambassadeurs 

[Further North]

So...just for giggles, I weighed the whole rig...reel, rod and line...10.3 oz.

...that's pretty cool.  Messed around with a floating Rapala tonight.  60 ft. was easy.

[oldschoolbasser]

That's  probably what my 2500C weighs by itself. Good thing I'm a manly man who can handle the extra weight

[Further North]

3 minutes ago, oldschoolbasser said:

That's  probably what my 2500C weighs by itself. Good thing I'm a manly man who can handle the extra weight

I've got a musky reel that weighs about that much too...

Heck...I've got lures that weigh more than this rig...

...I Just looked up the 2500...7 ounces...

[Jeff H]

That LTX is a winner!  I really like mine.

[oldschoolbasser]

1 hour ago, Jeff H said:

That LTX is a winner!  I really like mine.

I hear the AE74 is supposed to be "The" finesse reel in the Revo line-up. I almost jumped on it,but I can't stand the yellow stripes. Something about yellow on fishing rods and reels makes it look cheap

[Further North]

10 hours ago, oldschoolbasser said:

I hear the AE74 is supposed to be "The" finesse reel in the Revo line-up. I almost jumped on it,but I can't stand the yellow stripes. Something about yellow on fishing rods and reels makes it look cheap

10 seconds with a black marker...no more yellow stripes.

[Goose52]

17 hours ago, Further North said:

...I Just looked up the 2500...7 ounces...

The one-year only (1962) Ambassadeur 2500 was about 7 ounces. BUT, the Ambassadeur 2500C that we have been discussing in this thread would weigh between 8.5 and 9.5 ounces depending on the installed handle, the frame material, and the finish on the sideplates (with the limited-edition models having chrome-plated sideplates being the heaviest).  Here's a typical 2500C with the single-knob counterweighted handle:

 

Here's another photo of what oldschoolbasser mentioned earlier in the thread - "finesse" fishing, 1970s style - Garcia Conolon "light-power" rod, Ambassadeur 1500C reel, and 1/6 oz. Roostertail.  I fished it this morning and caught a little bass. Total weight - rod, reel, line, bait - 17.8 ounces. Not a problem, since I'm only 63  and not old enough yet where tackle weight is a big deal. 

 After I worked down the bank with the above rig, I switched to another BC combo that weighs about 8.8 ounces all up (rod, reel, line) - almost exactly half of the 1970s rig. Did I have a problem adjusting to the weight difference? Nope...but I did have a problem adjusting from a push-button BC reel back to a clutch-bar BC reel...

 

[Further North]

That is really great "vintage" equipment - thanks for the info and the story with it.  I really appreciate the detail on the equipment.  I love learning things.  I've got an old Ambassador reel in the garage from the late 70s - early 80s...it was either mine or my Dad's (we each had one) and it was in the garage at their house.

I should go dig it out, take a better look at it.

I'm not sure I'm willing to call stuff from the 70s vintage...I'm a 1962 model myself....

[oldschoolbasser]

I'm a "56"

5 hours ago, Further North said:

10 seconds with a black marker...no more yellow stripes.

A reel like that deserves better lol!

[Further North]

OK...use a magenta marker.  Magenta + yellow = red.

 

[Further North]

So...I put the new rig through its paces on the water today.

• Did fine with the floating Rapala.
• Did fine with #3 Mepps
• Did fine with Ned Rig
• Threw a Texas rigged Senko about a mile

I'm going to call the experiment a success...

[oldschoolbasser]

Congrats,you're officially hooked!

[KP Duty]

Most entertaining thread I've read in a while.  Im planning on purchasing a light caster for my 852; but let's face it....no big league guys use bfs.  They either use casting or spinning.  It's really a moot point.  BFS is against the grain.  If bfs was winning tourneys...kmart would be on board with it.

[fishwizzard]

Eh, I see it more an enjoyable way to tinker and fuss with gear to get it to do stuff it otherwise wasn't really intended to do.   Sure, if money or my next meal was on the line, I would grab a spinning combo every time.  

 

In BFS news, I just picked up a Kuyin Teton 6" UL casting rod.  So far I have been working every daylight hour so I haven't had a chance to mess with it.  I have a PX68 with a DIY spool in it and I hope it will work for 3" senkos, weightless 4' finesse worms, and small inline spinners.  

 

 

 

[FryDog62]

Due to a torn ligament in my right wrist (surgery couldn't fix) I really can't finesse fish with a spinning rod in my right hand anymore.  I'd switch to my left but honestly its my weaker hand and I think I have better grip with a casting set up than spinning.  So left handed I am now ...

 

However a "right handed" Baitcaster is something I predominantly hold with my left hand and crank with my right, so I've been shopping.  I have baitcasters but nothing small/finesse style.  For Xmas I got a BPS Carbonlite 6'-6" Medium Light Fast casting rod, and have been researching to find the best reel to pair with it.  Found this thread of interest.  

 

Am am leaning towards an SV Daiwa reel, but at $300-500 they're more than I want to spend.  Have been thinking about the Zillion SV TWS at $300 until I heard that a new Tatula is coming out with SV TWS.  If they can get that down to $200, I might buy two... waiting for release date --

[fishwizzard]

1 hour ago, FryDog62 said:

 

Am am leaning towards an SV Daiwa reel, but at $300-500 they're more than I want to spend.  Have been thinking about the Zillion SV TWS at $300 until I heard that a new Tatula is coming out with SV TWS.  If they can get that down to $200, I might buy two... waiting for release date --

 

Take a look at this;

 

http://japantackle.com/casting-reels/daiwa/low-profile-casting-reels/daiwa-alphassv2015.html

 

Daiwa Alphas SV for $204 before shipping.  I believe it is the JDM version of the SV105.  

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

On 4/2/2016 at 6:18 PM, HeavyTwenty said:

Just curious, can people cast a 5" senko the same distance on a MF baitcaster as a MF spinner? I've always assumed with a weightless senko, the baitcaster would be 20% shorter range, but my experience with baitcasters is limited to MH and H. 

For raw distance spinning is the way to go. Accuracy can be achieved with either with practice. Each type of tackle had its time and place with a fair amount of overlap for those with a preference. 

[The Bassman]

9 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

For raw distance spinning is the way to go. Accuracy can be achieved with either with practice. Each type of tackle had its time and place with a fair amount of overlap for those with a preference. 

 

For a long time I tried to convince myself to focus on baitcasting because that was what the "cool" people used. As a shore bound angler that focuses on lighter presentations I have to admit that spinning makes me a better fisherman. That said, I love to tinker with and tune my baitcasters.  When circumstances allow I enjoy using them.

[new2BC4bass]

On 4/16/2016 at 0:46 PM, Further North said:

That is really great "vintage" equipment - thanks for the info and the story with it.  I really appreciate the detail on the equipment.  I love learning things.  I've got an old Ambassador reel in the garage from the late 70s - early 80s...it was either mine or my Dad's (we each had one) and it was in the garage at their house.

I should go dig it out, take a better look at it.

I'm not sure I'm willing to call stuff from the 70s vintage...I'm a 1962 model myself....

 

You really should.  I have a 5001C from the mid 70s or a bit earlier.  Never had used a baitcast reel nor knew anyone that did.  With no Internet, it wound up sitting as I couldn't cast it.  Came with a plastic sleeve that fits over the arbor so you can cut down on the amount of line required to fill the spool.  Dug it out 2-3 years ago, left the plastic sleeve on and spooled it with 17# mono.  Casts like a champ now that the operator knows how to use a baitcast reel.  Will require a different handle as I can't stand the small thing on it now.

On 4/13/2016 at 10:34 PM, Jeff H said:

In 2-3 yrs time report back on your finesse caster addiction/collection.  It's a fun ride!

 

And somewhat expensive.  

[new2BC4bass]

On 4/15/2016 at 9:52 PM, Further North said:

So...just for giggles, I weighed the whole rig...reel, rod and line...10.3 oz.

...that's pretty cool.  Messed around with a floating Rapala tonight.  60 ft. was easy.

 

How much does about 130 yards of 12# AN40 weigh?  My 7' MF and reel weigh an even 9 oz. without line.  I will be 69 in about 3 weeks so I don't need to worry about fishing with 9 oz. reels and 5.5 oz. rods yet, but these light wands do bring a smile to my face.

 

I am interested in your thoughts on the reel now that you have had a few months to play with it.

[Further North]

21 hours ago, KP Duty said:

...let's face it....no big league guys use bfs.

Who...really...gives a fig what the "big league" guys do?

 

The "big league" guys don't throw flies either...