Saltwater rated finesse casting reel?

[fishwizzard]

I am going down the dark road of finesse casting and am looking for some advice on reels.  I live by the Chesapeake bay and as such do a lot of fishing in salt/brackish water.  It seems like a lot of the more common finesse casting reels have magnesium frames, which I understand to be unable to be safely used in even brackish water.  First, is this true?  Even with diligent rinsing with a water bottle asap when I land and then again with a hose when I get home, is a magnesium frame going to be damaged with short exposure?

My second question is, if a magnesium framed reel is a non-starter for brackish, then is there a good finesse option that will work for me?

Thanks!

[NYBasser]

Try out the Shimano Brenious, I believe it's rated for Saltwater.

[fishnkamp]

Bunnielab you and I are going to have to catch up.  I live here by Martin State Airport and we fish the same waters.  I fish a bunch of Diawa Tatulas, Tatula Rs and and even a Diawa Exceler. Our brackish water does not bother them.  You are welcome to stop by and cast a few to see what you like.  Diawa even makes a couple specifically for salt use. Check these out  Daiwa Aird Coastal   and the Daiwa Coastal 200HS both seem to be well made as well. 

I fish the Gunpowder River, Seneca, Middle River, Back River and out around the islands for bass,stripers. perch etc.  I have also gone up the Northeast and Susqy but with several ramps minutes away I stick closer to home most trips. In the last few years we have been catching some big blue cats while throwing rattle traps for stripers. It is amazing how hard those catfish pull. They can nearly spool you.

[Catt]

The two most used reels on the Gulf Coast are Shimano's Citica & Lew's Speed Spools.

There's a lot of miss leading information about using bass tackle in salt/brackish water. The anodizing process used in "fresh water" reels & "salt water" reels are identical.

The same is true with trolling motors & outboards!

Routine maintenance with any equipment is essential to longevity!

[Yudo1]

When I go on vacation in sc I do some inshore fishing.  It's saltwater so I've always avoided bringing my MG reels.  For lighter stuff I use an alphas sv without issues.  I rinse my gear at the end of the day and give them a more thorough cleaning/lube when I get home.

[new2BC4bass]

I don't fish saltwater, but have read that some Magnesium framed reels are saltwater safe.  Depends on the coating.  Check before buying. 

How light do you plan on going?  You don't need a specialized reel for something with 3/16 oz. total weight.

[timsford]

I'd say about any aluminum or carbon (like chronarch ci4, or daiwa t3)  frame reel that can be used for finesse stuff. Alphas and curado 50 size would be what I would look at. If you like using light braid the brenious was designed for saltwater bream with small lures and light braid. It's a 50 size shimano with a narrow spool for braid and upgraded faster gears to fight hard running saltwater fish

[Dan_the_fisher]

How about the Shimano stile? That is what the reel is designed to be 

[timsford]

1 hour ago, Dan_the_fisher said:

How about the Shimano stile? That is what the reel is designed to be 

I liked the looks and considered buying it for a finesse crankbait reel for my 6'6" ml moderate aetos because it had 5.8:1 gears and a long handle.  It also has a neat feature in that the spool tension is on the palming sideplate instead of a knob like with other reels.  This let's them move the handle and dragstar closer to the reel. It also has the older vbs system like the curado e instead of the new svs Infinity.  I ended up picking up an alphas sv in the lower gear ratio because the sv spool is so great with finesse stuff. I've avoided the true bfs stuff but for super light stuff the alphas air,  ss air,  or t3 air would be great choices also.  I think the Aldebaran  bfs reels are magnesium so I wouldn't use that in salt. A curado/chronarch 50e or scorpion 1000xt with upgraded bearings and spool can go pretty light too, but unless you already own one of those,  the price of a used one+spool+bearings is going to cost more than the alphas sv. For a finesse reel I'd definitely look at shimano and daiwa because of spool and customizing options.  Abu makes a few finesse oriented revos for the jdm market,  but I haven't heard a whole lot of feedback. 

[zell_pop1]

Just look for a used citica/curado 100dsv on ebay.

[new2BC4bass]

This Aldebaran is saltwater safe according to the ad.

http://japantackle.com/shimano-16aldebaranbfsxg.html

 

[Catt]

They are all saltwater safe until you break the anodization then it doesn't matter what reel it is.

Rinse thoroughly but most importantly dry thoroughly!

[davecon]

I am a converted bass fisherman here in west central Florida. Bass fished for well over 20 years as an adult and now usually fish for bass mainly during the spawn. The rest of the time I fish mostly brackish and some pure salt for primarily snook, with reds, sea trout, and mostly juvi tarpon as by catch (Not bad I know but somebody's gotta do it).

For almost forty years I have used nothing but bass tackle - Shimano Calcuttas, Curado, Lews. Shimano Symmetre. Same size reels as you probably use for bass. I use the same outfits for both. Just rinse them off when your done (light spray - don't use a lot of pressure with a nozzle) and lube them periodically. In the almost forty years of doing this I have NEVER had a problem with corrosion. Same goes for the "freshwater trolling motor" (Minkota) - just rinse it off when you get home, and outboard - flush it for about 5 minutes, as well as the rods - again, just rinse them off.

As far as the boat - I use a small boat that I bought used. Rewired it using tinned copper, gold plated connections, and shrink wrap on every connection. No problem. My trailer is galvanized and is over 20 years old  with plenty of life left in it. Again, rinse it off after every trip.

I've got the clean up/rinsing/flushing down to about twenty minutes. Well worth the effort.

Me thinks the "saltwater" reels and rods for inshore fishing are simply a marketing ploy.

When you get to the offshore stuff - 12/O and 14/O reels used for Marlin, sails, wahoo, etc. we are talking a different animal but the guys I know that use them don't maintain them any better than I do my inshore stuff.

[fishwizzard]

Thanks for all the input guys, sorry it took me so long to respond.  I am working like a mad fool, which is what will enable this whim.

 

On 9/6/2016 at 9:27 PM, NYBasser said:

Try out the Shimano Brenious, I believe it's rated for Saltwater.

The little I have read about this reel seems pretty mixed, especial in regards to lure rating.  I would like to be able to get down to around 1/16-1/8 lures, but the 1/8 of things is more realistic.  

20 hours ago, Catt said:

They are all saltwater safe until you break the anodization then it doesn't matter what reel it is.

Rinse thoroughly but most importantly dry thoroughly!

Is this true even of magnesium reels?  I admit I know very little about them in specific and magnesium in general.  

On 9/7/2016 at 1:30 AM, fishnkamp said:

Bunnielab you and I are going to have to catch up.  I live here by Martin State Airport and we fish the same waters..

I would love that, I don't know much about the northern spots.  My GF has been bugging me to take her to the drive-in up there. 

21 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

This Aldebaran is saltwater safe according to the ad.

http://japantackle.com/shimano-16aldebaranbfsxg.html

 

I was looking at the Aldebaran but that is approaching "too expensive to take in my kayak" levels.  

I think I am leaning towards stalking ebay for either a used alphas sv and fishing it as is, or looking for a used Pixy and slowly upgrading it as I find time and money.  I am also feeling better about using a FW reel and just being diligent about cleaning it.  I am general pretty awful about stuff like that but should make myself be better and having a fancy toy might help.  I guess I also should buy a cheap little scale and actually weigh some of my finesse lures.  Other then weightless 3" senkos and tiny inline spinners, I am not sure if I really throw anything less then 1/8oz. 

You guys have given me a lot to think about.  

 

[fishnkamp]

What part of MD do you live in?

[new2BC4bass]

Everyone seems to love their Alphas SV105.  I was disappointed in mine until I got it back from being tuned.  It was my easiest Daiwa reel to backlash out of 30 Daiwas and distance was nothing to brag about.  I feel it is going to become a favorite now.

However, Pixy prices have dropped dramatically.  There is an Pixy Liberto (Orange) on another site for $150.  You will definitely want a Carbontex drag installed if it doesn't already have one ($8).  A PX68 worm shaft (about $17) is worthwhile.  There is a 6.8:1 and a 7.2:1 gear set available.  I'd install one of these rather than keep the 5.8:1 unless you plan on only cranking with it.  You will be hard pressed to find a better finesse reel.  It is the benchmark TT uses to compare any finesse reel they test.

[fishwizzard]

50 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

What part of MD do you live in?

I live south of Annapolis.  I do most of my LMB fishing in southern MD or the MoCo/HoCo resevours.  Lately I have been on a smallie kick and fish the Patapsco a lot.  This season is my first "seriously" fishing for bass and I plan to expand my area over the winter and next season. 

20 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

However, Pixy prices have dropped dramatically.  

I posted this thread with like 4-5 tabs open to auctions around that price.  I am thinking getting a used one is my best bet for now.  I can see if I like the idea enough to drop serious money on a fancier setup.  

[fishnkamp]

Do you have a boat?

[Catt]

21 hours ago, davecon said:

I am a converted bass fisherman here in west central Florida. Bass fished for well over 20 years as an adult and now usually fish for bass mainly during the spawn. The rest of the time I fish mostly brackish and some pure salt for primarily snook, with reds, sea trout, and mostly juvi tarpon as by catch (Not bad I know but somebody's gotta do it).

For almost forty years I have used nothing but bass tackle - Shimano Calcuttas, Curado, Lews. Shimano Symmetre. Same size reels as you probably use for bass. I use the same outfits for both. Just rinse them off when your done (light spray - don't use a lot of pressure with a nozzle) and lube them periodically. In the almost forty years of doing this I have NEVER had a problem with corrosion. Same goes for the "freshwater trolling motor" (Minkota) - just rinse it off when you get home, and outboard - flush it for about 5 minutes, as well as the rods - again, just rinse them off.

As far as the boat - I use a small boat that I bought used. Rewired it using tinned copper, gold plated connections, and shrink wrap on every connection. No problem. My trailer is galvanized and is over 20 years old  with plenty of life left in it. Again, rinse it off after every trip.

I've got the clean up/rinsing/flushing down to about twenty minutes. Well worth the effort.

Me thinks the "saltwater" reels and rods for inshore fishing are simply a marketing ploy.

When you get to the offshore stuff - 12/O and 14/O reels used for Marlin, sails, wahoo, etc. we are talking a different animal but the guys I know that use them don't maintain them any better than I do my inshore stuff.

It's all a sales gimmick!

I have a 35 yr old Calcutta that has spent it's life in brackish/salt water & shows no signs of pitting or corrosion.

[davecon]

Hey Catt,

'interesting that the guys with decades of first hand experience and knowledge have such different opinions than the guys "that have heard' or 'have read".

I find that comical. I have no axe to grind here and feel you don't either. Oh well, to each his own.

Same thing applies to folks from out of state coming here to fish. Sorry, but things are a little different here in Florida and the techniques used out of state, while they will work, are no where near as effective as the local techniques. These guys come here, use their home water techniques, and just don't catch very much. Duh !

Does the same happen in Lousiana ?

If someone were to ask a question about ice fishing I would be the last person to offer advice, telling folks what I had heard or read !

I visit several bass fishing forums on a regular basis and this site seems to have more "foreign" experts than the others. Puzzles me.

Have often wondered which advice the original poster eventually followed.

Oh well.

[WRB]

WD-40 sprayed onto the reel surfaces after it has been rinsed in fresh water and dried will help prevent corrosion after use in salt water, it's what WD-40 was developed for.

Aluminum alloys are easy to anodize, the process is basically aluminum oxides. Magnesium can be anodized however is a very porous metal that is difficult to seal, the corrosion protection varies greatly depending on the alloy used. You will be safer choosing reels with aluminum or composite frame reels with compatible hardware if used in salt water.

Tom

[Catt]

@davecon

I grew up fishing the Louisiana/Texas gulf coast & spend yrs as a first mate  on my uncles charter fishing boat. I also spent 18 yrs in the Aerospace Industries as a manufacturing engineer so I'm very aware of what causes corrosion & how to prevent it.

[new2BC4bass]

8 hours ago, davecon said:

Hey Catt,

'interesting that the guys with decades of first hand experience and knowledge have such different opinions than the guys "that have heard' or 'have read".

I find that comical. I have no axe to grind here and feel you don't either. Oh well, to each his own.

 

This forum wouldn't have near the traffic it does if it weren't for those of us being guilty as charged.  I catch way more fish when visiting Florida than I do at home.  My two largest bass were caught there using a lure that I use everywhere I fish....a spinnerbait.  I often pass on information I have read, but never claim it to be my own experience.  I trust that people on sites such as this are honest with their opinions and not pushing a product to self serve themselves.....unlike at places such as Cabela's or ***.

[fishwizzard]

11 hours ago, fishnkamp said:

Do you have a boat?

No, I either kayak or fish form the bank, but due to the aforementioned smallie obsession I have been wading more then anything this year.  

Lot of the local kayak guys use FW bass tackle to fish for stripers/blues and they seem to be satisfied with how they hold up, my inexperience with saltwater and metals had me wondering if there was a hidden "gotcha".

I had though of using WD40 to drive the water out, but didn't know if it would damage my line if it came into contact with it.   

 

 

[BobP]

Magnesium framed reels can be coated and treated so the metal does not come into contact with salt water.  However, normal use and wear will eventually expose the magnesium to corrosion from salt water, so most guys would rather just not go there.  Shimano marketing says some of their magnesium reels are "saltwater rated".  I don't care.  I never use my magnesium reels on the coast.

Honestly, when I want a finesse reel to use in salt water, I go with a spinning reel because there is less drama with that format in windy coastal conditions.