Another need a reel thread

[zelmo]

Last winter I picked up a 7'6" Clarus flipping rod because it was a clearance item and I didn't have anything like it.  I had an extra Curado D so I put that on it spooled with braid.

Problem is the lakes I fish don't have many areas that call for flipping, so I think I only used it twice.  Now I want to use the Curado on a different rod, so I need something for the Clarus.

What would be an inexpensive reel for a rod that won't get used much, but is beefy enough for this application?

[Dan:]

what kind of weights will you be flipping?

[Use ONLY Stren]

Try an Abu C4, quick retrieve is best when flipping.

[zelmo]

Mostly 3/4" with a craw or beaver.

[Dan:]

Mostly 3/4" with a craw.

I don't know how you feel about house branded reels, but I was using a Bass Pro Shop Pro Qualifier reel the other day and I was very impressed. It is relatively inexpensive (especially when it goes on sale) and it will cast, flip, and pitch 3/4oz great. It also comes in 7.1:1 ratio.

That's my suggestion for a decent, budget minded flipping reel.

[zelmo]

Mostly 3/4" with a craw.

I don't know how you feel about house branded reels

I got some BPS Crankin Sticks a while back because they got good reviews and they were on clearance.  Wound up paying $26 per.  Certainly not in the same class as my Loomis or Kistlers, but at the time I was setting up multiple rigs.

For this application I really don't care.  It won't get used much so durability and repairability aren't issues.  I do have a thing about getting a deal, and if they run a sale I will look into those.  I also don't need to make a purchase until next March.

[The Rooster]

Bass Pro Shops Extreme is another good for an affordable price, especially when they're on sale.  I could not be happier with the ones I have.

[zelmo]

What are your thoughts on flipping switches?  There are a few reels around in my price range that have that feature, but I have never used one.  I am right handed and use left handed baitcasters so I don't need to switch hands, but the concept still seems worth checking out.

[K_Mac]

Bass Pro Shops Extreme is another good for an affordable price, especially when they're on sale. I could not be happier with the ones I have.

I agree with The Rooster. For this application a high speed Extreme would be a great reel. Dan. mentioned the Pro Qualifier as a good choice. A little more money but well worth it for general use, in my opinion.

[dodgeguy]

pflueger trion narrow spool.

[zelmo]

So how do the BPS reels compare to the Quantum Accurist II which can be had on sale for $50?  Keep in mind this will be a specialized, low usage reel for me.

[CHEVYRIDAZ]

Abu Garcia Revo S no doubt! All the "beef" you need at a low price!

[cart7t]

What are your thoughts on flipping switches? There are a few reels around in my price range that have that feature, but I have never used one. I am right handed and use left handed baitcasters so I don't need to switch hands, but the concept still seems worth checking out.

The Extreme's, on sale, are great for the price.  They also have one model with the flippin switch.  As for the switch itself?  You either will love it or hate it.  I would prefer one on my pitchin rod but my reel brand of choice (Pflueger) doesn't make a model with one.  Neither does Garcia for that matter.  

[zbigbadaaron]

pflueger trion narrow spool.

X2  

[zelmo]

The Extreme's, on sale, are great for the price. They also have one model with the flippin switch. As for the switch itself? You either will love it or hate it. I would prefer one on my pitchin rod but my reel brand of choice (Pflueger) doesn't make a model with one. Neither does Garcia for that matter.

I see - Flipping Model ETX10HFC.  If the feature can be turned on or off, is there a downside - if it turns out I don't care for it just leave it off?

[Raul]

What are your thoughts on flipping switches? There are a few reels around in my price range that have that feature, but I have never used one. I am right handed and use left handed baitcasters so I don't need to switch hands, but the concept still seems worth checking out.

The concept is pretty old, my XLT plus Abus have it and they 've been around for more than two decades. The Flipping Switch appeared in lots of reels of the mid 1980 's era when flipping became one of the hottest fishing techniques, not only the switch but also Shimano manufactured a flipping specific reel ( Bushmaster ) which actually was not a very good seller and finally dissapeared from the market, now I think it 's Ardent who came with the "new" quite old flipping specific reeel concept ( nothing new under the sun ).

Well back to the flipping switch, as I mentioned, my old Abus have the feature, because my everyday lake is choked with standing timber and brush I do flip a lot you may think that I make a lot of use of the flipping switch, been fishing that lake since the 80 's and I must have used the flipping switch maybe 20 times in more than 20 years of fishing.

Like me many people paid little attention and made very little use of the feature so manufacturers quit putting the feature in the reels for more than a decade and now they are back at it again.

On the other hand, the flipping switch is a creature you have to treat with respect, the switch disengages the spool as long as you have the thumbar pressed, engages the spool when you release the thumbar, the catch is that in between the gearing can be accidentaly engaged if you happen to lift your thumb from the thumbar, the result can be broken gearing.

[zelmo]

On the other hand, the flipping switch is a creature you have to treat with respect, the switch disengages the spool as long as you have the thumbar pressed, engages the spool when you release the thumbar, the catch is that in between the gearing can be accidentaly engaged if you happen to lift your thumb from the thumbar, the result can be broken gearing.

Are you saying it is important to completely stop the spool with your thumb before letting up on the thumbar?

[K_Mac]

On the other hand, the flipping switch is a creature you have to treat with respect, the switch disengages the spool as long as you have the thumbar pressed, engages the spool when you release the thumbar, the catch is that in between the gearing can be accidentally engaged if you happen to lift your thumb from the thumbar, the result can be broken gearing.

Are you saying it is important to completely stop the spool with your thumb before letting up on the thumbar?

Yes.If you have the Flipping switch "on" and make a regular cast, as soon as you release the thumb bar to place your thumb on the spool, spring tension will engage the reel. If the spool is turning the gears will grind. If the spool is turning very fast, you can break a gear in the reel or snap the line when it stops abruptly. On the reel I had the switch would sometimes be turned on accidentally. :-[ It was a pain...The Shimano Castiac has a thumb bar that you can flip up with your thumb to engage the reel. A much better design IMO.

[SimonDM17]

Seconding the extreme.  I picked mine up (last year's model) on clearance when they went to this year's.  

I know BPS always does a Christmas sale, and man, I like the swept handles.

Other suggestions:

Look on ebay, find a mildly used reel.  I just got a Daiwa Tierra for 60, and it's good as new.  

Also, a Cruxis would be a fine budget flipping reel, especially at those heavier weights.  Obviously a Citica would too, maybe see if you can find a lightly used D series if you want to keep the price even lower.

[NBR]

I moved from an area with many flippin opprotunities to one with chrystal clear water and the cover almost exclusively rocks. Now I use my flippin out fit for Carolina rigs and it works great.

[zelmo]

Thanks for all of the advice.  I think my best strategy will be to get the best reel I can on a Black Friday deal (or other closeout) and shuffle everything I have since the consensus is the flipppin switch could be a problem.