Round vs low profile

[kjfishman]

I have to replace a low profile Abu Silver Max that I lost, another story for another day. So I was looking at specs on different reels and found the Abu Garcia 4600 C4 retrieves 30" per turn and the low profile reels with same ratio return 27" of line per turn. Also the max drag on the 4600 C4 is 30lbs vs 18lbs for the low profile reels form Abu in the same price range. Thinking replacing the lost Silver Max with a 4600 C4.  What are your thoughts.

[islandbass]

Round reels are cool and awesome. With that said, they will stand “taller” on the rod so for smaller hands they might not be a “palmable” if that is even a word. Other than that, go for it. You might want to bring your rod to the store your plan to buy it to see how it will work for you. 

[B-Dozer]

I have mostly round baitcasters. Abu C-5, C-4 Mag(2). Cabela's round Prodigy(5), Abu Record 40

A few low profiles. I prefer the round ones, JMO

[Deleted account]

27 minutes ago, kjfishman said:

I have to replace a low profile Abu Silver Max that I lost, another story for another day. So I was looking at specs on different reels and found the Abu Garcia 4600 C4 retrieves 30" per turn and the low profile reels with same ratio return 27" of line per turn. Also the max drag on the 4600 C4 is 30lbs vs 18lbs for the low profile reels form Abu in the same price range. Thinking replacing the lost Silver Max with a 4600 C4.  What are your thoughts.

I throw spinnerbaits with 4600's sometimes. Good reels, as long as you aren't trying to cast tiny light lures. I find it easy to palm, even though they do sit higher on the rod.

[islandbass]

5 minutes ago, reason said:

I throw spinnerbaits with 4600's sometimes. Good reels, as long as you aren't trying to cast tiny light lures. I find it easy to palm, even though they do sit higher on the rod.

True in general about lighter lures. Good point! 

[B-Dozer]

I have a 6" Mann's jelly worm on one of my Cabela's Prodigy most of the time. no trouble casting that. Mag control. The Record 40 is pretty good as well

[OnthePotomac]

This is a choice based strictly on personal preference.  As far as speed, many low profile reels come in pretty fast speeds.  My Curado K's are 8.5:1 (36in retrieve) and there are reels faster than that.  I have never experienced a fish landing failure because my reel have an 11-12lb drag max.  On occasion, big cats have tested this on the Potomac, but not caught by my choice.

[B-Dozer]

2 minutes ago, OnthePotomac said:

This is a choice based strictly on personal preference.  As far as speed, many low profile reels come in pretty fast speeds.  My Curado K's are 8.5:1 and there are reels faster than that.  I have never experienced a fish landing failure because my reel have an 11-12lb drag max.  On occasion, big cats have tested this on the Potomac, but no caught by my choice.

This is true. I do not claim one is better than the other, it's just what you are used to, or started out on. 

[OnthePotomac]

Oh, I agree 100% and not promoting one over the other.

[Deleted account]

11 minutes ago, B-Dozer said:

I have a 6" Mann's jelly worm on one of my Cabela's Prodigy most of the time. no trouble casting that. Mag control. The Record 40 is pretty good as well

I still have a couple of bags of the original jelly worms, that purple is timeless. I've abused some Records in the salt, great reels for sure.  

[B-Dozer]

yeah those original Mann's jelly worms have done well for me, when you can find them. 

My Record has a Binsky blade bait on it most of the time. Can really zing that thing a mile....well, almost ? 

[Mobasser]

I still fish 2 4600c3 round ABU reels. One is over 20 yrs old. They are workhorse reels. If taken care of well, they will last a long time. At some point I'll need an upgrade, and I will probably go with a round Shimano reel. I like round casting reels the best, and don't really care for mag brakes too much either. I think the C4 would make a nice reel

[NYWayfarer]

I like my round reels for Saltwater and Catfishing. Low profiles are my go to’s for freshwater Bass fishing.

[jbrew73]

10 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

I like my round reels for Saltwater and Catfishing. Low profiles are my go to’s for freshwater Bass fishing.

This

[B-Dozer]

22 minutes ago, Mobasser said:

I still fish 2 4600c3 round ABU reels. One is over 20 yrs old. They are workhorse reels. If taken care of well, they will last a long time. At some point I'll need an upgrade, and I will probably go with a round Shimano reel. I like round casting reels the best, and don't really care for mag brakes too much either. I think the C4 would make a nice reel

The Cabela Prodigy round reel mag brakes work better than the Abu. JMO

As far as the Abu's 

You'll never need to upgrade ? This place has stock, and better than stock bearings.

https://www.bocabearings.com/parts/Abu-Garcia

[islandbass]

1 hour ago, NYWayfarer said:

I like my round reels for Saltwater and Catfishing. Low profiles are my go to’s for freshwater Bass fishing.

Yup, rounds for the salt. I have my abu g ambassadeur and Shimano Cardiff 301a. 

 

because my Cardiff has a 5 point something ratio, I have used it ocassion when fishing crankbaits. 

[LionHeart]

I only own one round reel.  It's a Shimano Calcutta.  Nice reel, but I prefer low profile personally.

[Catt]

Calcutta 100A 2 ea., Calcutta 50A 1 ea., & Cardiff 100A 2 ea.

 

Got a friend who only uses Garcia 5500s for everything including Wacky Rigs.

 

[A-Jay]

I have & fish both low profile & rounds casting reels.

I really do like my Callcutta D's quite a bit, often looking for an excuse use them.

Doesn't take much.

A-Jay

 

[Mobasser]

A-jay and Catt. I started with the 5500c and red ABU 5000. Then went to the narrow spool 4600c. The Calcutta will be my next reel purchase. They really seem like the top of the line for this type of casting reel

[A-Jay]

1 minute ago, Mobasser said:

A-jay and Catt. I started with the 5500c and red ABU 5000. Then went to the narrow spool 4600c. The Calcutta will be my next reel purchase. They really seem like the top of the line for this type of casting reel

Soon after their release, I participated in the TW demo program with the Calcutta 200D and 300D 

Ended up purchasing a few.

A-Jay

[Catt]

28 minutes ago, Mobasser said:

A-jay and Catt. I started with the 5500c and red ABU 5000. Then went to the narrow spool 4600c. The Calcutta will be my next reel purchase. They really seem like the top of the line for this type of casting reel

 

I started with ?

 

I do have a Citica 200E & a Lew's LFS Speed Spool 

[Mobasser]

Catt, when my brother came home from the service in 1970,he bought 2 red ABU 5000 reels, and gave me one.I still have mine, and it still works.My brother gave his to a friend who came home from the war in bad shape. He simply loved that reel- kept it super clean and was so proud of it. As far as I know, he still has that one too

[Boogey Man]

22 hours ago, kjfishman said:

I have to replace a low profile Abu Silver Max that I lost, another story for another day. So I was looking at specs on different reels and found the Abu Garcia 4600 C4 retrieves 30" per turn and the low profile reels with same ratio return 27" of line per turn. Also the max drag on the 4600 C4 is 30lbs vs 18lbs for the low profile reels form Abu in the same price range. Thinking replacing the lost Silver Max with a 4600 C4.  What are your thoughts.

I wouldn't get too hung up on the drag specs, unless you're catching 18 to 30lb bass. I'd go to your local tackle shop, mount both on a rod and see which one feels best in your hands. The 4600 will most likely be the more durable, longer lasting of the two, but sits pretty tall on the reel seat and weighs a good deal more. 

[Catt]

@Mobasser I started out bass fishing with a Penn 209M, 3.2:1 gear ratio, weight 19 oz; I was a saltwater guy.

 

My first bass fishing setup 

Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 5000 (red)

Heddon Mark Special Purpose #6271 5 1/2' MH Fiberglass with a cast aluminum reel seat & handle.

Total weight about 2# plus!

 

That what I started tournament fishing with ?