Muskie/Pike Reel Suggestions?

[Boett43]

Im looking for a good muskie/pike reel for under 100$ that i could use for lure fishing and what not..Thanks

[Lucky Craft Man]

This post will probably get moved, but the standard reel for musky fishing is the Abu Garcia 5500 C3 (or 6500 C3). Great reel for musky (I have been using several of these for over 10 years now and they are workhorses)

[.RM.]

+1

Definitely a 5000 or 6000 series round reel.

Tight Lines!!!!  

[Boett43]

Thanks alot yall..Dose anyone by any chace know whats the average test line you would use for muskie or pike?

[Bream Master]

For about 110 you can get the shimano cardiff 300.  It does fine.  As stated in the other posts, the Garcia reels are popular too among pike/musky fisherman.  

For line, I use 80 lb. sufix braid with wire leader.

Oh, all this musky talk makes me want to visit Wisconsin again.  You guys with musky availabe in your lakes are blessed.  

[Solo]

50 lb Power Pro or Stealth (both about 12lb. mono thickness) and an Abu 5500 or 6500C3 will set you up just fine. If you want to make that reel a bit more special, there are a number of reputable on-line vendors that sell upgrades parts for the ABU. It should last you years.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Yup a 5600 or 6500 should do ya good i dont musky fish but i read about it and all the places i visit talk highly of ABU,s same around here for striper BTW GARCIA RULES

[Indianafisherman]

Right now Bass Pro has their Pete Maina Sig. reels on sale for $79.99. They are the nicest muskie reel for the money in my opinion. As for line i stick with 80-100 pound super braid. If you plan on throwing big baits get the 4.2:1 reel as well, it will make the retrieve much easier.

[Boett43]

Thanks Alot Everyone...Ive never fished for muskie or pike before and I cant wait to get one on the line...

[Solo]

Thanks Alot Everyone...Ive never fished for muskie or pike before and I cant wait to get one on the line...

I hope you get one too. What surprises most people when they first catch one is the sheer savagery with which these great fish take a bait, bend the rod, and straighten your hair. What a fish.

[MALTESE FALCON]

Another vote for Abu Garcia. I have a C3 6500 on one rod, a C4 6600 on the rod for big buzzbaits, and spinnerbaits, and a C5 Mag-X on the other. All work flawlessly.

They are all well within your price range, and will last forever.

Falcon

[WRB]

There was a time period that I would have recommended the Abu-Garcia Ambassadeur reels without hesitation, not today since they are made in China with inferior gears and bearings.

Your best buy IMO is Okuma Induron IDx-250 reels and Okuma 7'10" heavy action casting rod for both musky and pike fishing, if you are casting 1 to 5 oz lures. The Okuma products are now offered under their own name, they made reels for Cablea's and BPS for the past 10 years. Both the rod and reel are under $100 each and Tackle Warehouse ships free for orders $100 or more, with tax you make the free shipping.

WRB

PS; this is a great swimbait combo.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

There was a time period that I would have recommended the Abu-Garcia Ambassadeur reels without hesitation, not today since they are made in China with inferior gears and bearings.

Your best buy IMO is Okuma Induron IDx-250 reels and Okuma 7'10" heavy action casting rod for both musky and pike fishing, if you are casting 1 to 5 oz lures. The Okuma products are now offered under their own name, they made reels for Cablea's and BPS for the past 10 years. Both the rod and reel are under $100 each and Tackle Warehouse ships free for orders $100 or more, with tax you make the free shipping.

WRB

PS; this is a great swimbait combo.

The round reels are still made in sweden

[WRB]

The last round reel made in Sweden for Abu-Garcia was back in 2003. If you want a Swedish made ambassaduer, you need to buy the legacy reels manufacturered before that date. There is a growing market for the Swedish made reels today. Don Iovino buys and rebuilds the legacy reels; http:www.iovino.com/

WRB

[Maxximus Redneckus]

The last round reel made in Sweden for Abu-Garcia was back in 2003. If you want a Swedish made ambassaduer, you need to buy the legacy reels manufacturered before that date. There is a growing market for the Swedish made reels today. Don Iovino buys and rebuilds the legacy reels; http:www.iovino.com/

WRB

So all my new 4600c,3,s  and 4,s with made in sweden on the side are fake ??  

[Crestliner2008]

My vote for pike would be the 6500-C. I've caught a lot of pike on that reel over the years. I've matched it up with Cabela's "bucktail" rod (not sure if they still make this model or not?) 6'6" long. Reel is loaded with 20# test dacron and a steel leader of at least 18". (Yep, pike will still take a lure away from you with a 12" leader  ) I really don't believe you need to go heavier with the line unless you are targetting the largest muskies. My PB pike was 43 1/2" and weighing 22 pounds; taken in open water in July on a Wendel's Musky Harrasser - using this same set-up. No worries.

[Micro]

There was a time period that I would have recommended the Abu-Garcia Ambassadeur reels without hesitation, not today since they are made in China with inferior gears and bearings.

I understand that some of the larger 7000 series reels were made in Taiwan. But the smaller Amb's are still made in Sweden. I have several C4s, a couple of 2005s, a 2006 and a 2007 and ALL clearly stamped Made In Sweden.

As far as your "inferior" comment goes, I'll consider it unqualified *** unless you have credible evidence to the contrary.

BTW, from what I've seen, Okumas are made in China.