Mboy....

[Luna Sea 5]

What do you think about the Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 5600D5 Casting Reel.  I figured I take your advice and give it a try.  I have plenty of spinning, so this may be my 2008 fluke set up.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190212727354&ssPageName=STRK:MEBI:IT&ih=009

[mboy]

I am not familiar with that particular model, but I do like them as a whole.
I have a 25 year old 7000 that I just send back to Abu for service. Killed A LOT of fish on that reel over the years.

It will be my main casting reel for heavier type jigs and maybe a backup deep drop fluke rig (1st is my Avet SX on the GUSA custom).

I also have a smaller garcia, forgot the model # but is nice and also some older 5500 (5600) that were hand me downs from my pops.

They have boat rash and have been used pretty good, but they still work fine.

All in all, they make a nice reel and that looks good to me.

[Luna Sea 5]

since I am new to that type of reel, what caught my eye was the 5 ball bearings instead of the 3

[Bucktail]

Luna Sea,

While ABUs are nice reels the D5 has a gimmicky cast control.   Don't get hung up on bearing count.  If you like ABUs the C3 would be a better choice.

Not to hawk my own stuff, but I truly believe the Corvalus 200 with the centrifigul cast control is a much better reel than the D5.

I know you didn't ask, but I thought I'd throw it out to you anyway.

http://njsaltwaterfisherman.com/forums/index.php?topic=3926.0

[Luna Sea 5]

very nice reel.  I am new to the bait casters, I am a spinning reel freak..  SO.. since I am trying them for the first time, except for my large penn trollers, I want to keep the cost down incase I don't become a fan.

[Hunter 2]

I picked up a Shimano Corvalus 300 combo from Sports Authority for around $70. Its pretty nice... I also like my the Penn international 975 lever drag, but its around $280.

[mboy]

THE reel to get is the Avet SX, but that is $200

[IrishAyes]

I picked up a blue Avet MX 4.5:1 from Ebay for $118 plus shipping over the winter. Haven't used it yet, chompin at the bit to do so. Feels really nice. 

[Bucktail]

Nick,

I saw that you won that ABU reel on ebay.  Congratulations!  And forget what I said about it being gimmicky and all.

Best of luck with it!

-Bob

[Luna Sea 5]

THE reel to get is the Avet SX, but that is $200

If i like using this type of reel, this may be next seasons expense.

[Luna Sea 5]

Nick,

I saw that you won that ABU reel on ebay.  Congratulations!  And forget what I said about it being gimmicky and all.

Best of luck with it!

-Bob

the bid was in before I saw your post.  If I got out bidded, I was going to let it be.  Thanks for the advice.

[ped579]

Nick as much as I love spinning reels, Last year I gained a conventional Penn 525Mag as a present.  I have been toying with the idea of going back in that direction for off the surf, I am glad I did.

I know you will be using yours off the boat but they all have their place and once you get use to it and what it can do I am sure your move was in the right direction.

Good Luck with it.

Paul

[Luna Sea 5]

If I like it, I will defiantly get a better model next year.  Everyone I take on the boat uses these bait casters.  The Shimano Trinadad was recommended by Capt. Vic, until I saw the price.  I hate to spent $300 on a type of reel, then not like it.  I will start cheaper, then move on in that direction when the time comes.  Thanks guys for all the posts.

[mboy]

If I like it, I will defiantly get a better model next year.  Everyone I take on the boat uses these bait casters.  The Shimano Trinadad was recommended by Capt. Vic, until I saw the price.  I hate to spent $300 on a type of reel, then not like it.  I will start cheaper, then move on in that direction when the time comes.  Thanks guys for all the posts.

My posp has a Trinidad, likes it a lot. They get TRASHED by big fish out west, but for inshore with what we do, they should hold up.

I was going to get one, but decided on the small avet I have now. LUV IT so far.

You can try it when we go out in a few weeks.

I have a boatload of stuff for you to try if you want.
Very nice, inexpensive reels for livelining or chunking bass are the SHhimano Charter Special 2000 Lever drags.  Have 3 of them. Perfect to deadstick live bunker with my new Tsunami rods (3 also), while I hold my new GUSA/Avet setup or my St. Croix setup.

I also have plenty of light, inshore fluke setups for you try as well, including some Corvalus 400's.

PLENTY of gear.

My conventional stuff is probably 3 or 4 -1 over spinning.

[Skolmann]

For future reference if you like using conventional reels for fluking a good quality reel that wont break the bank is the Shimano TR-100 or for a little more $$ the Shimano Tekota 300.

Both aren't designed for casting but for fluke fishing you really don't need to cast.

[Hunter 2]

Nice thread!

[gottog]

If you're looking for an inexpensive light-tackle baitcaster for fluke, the Abu 4600/5600 C4 are awesome.  I have a few and made just a minor modification to them by switching out the standared 6.3:1 gears to the 3.8:1.  Makes alot of difference.  I also added the Smoothie Drag washers to the reel and now they're pretty powerful lil cheap reels

Of course if you're looking for something a bit beefier to drag 6ozs+ all the time, then you'd want to look elsewhere.
Sometimes good deals on FFO.com with refurbs

[Uncle Luna]

 Good Info I was looking into a Abu Garcia baitcaster myself I Had one in the past but Its
off the tip of Sandy Hook fell of the Luna Sea 2 a few seasons ago. I like conventional reels myself for fluking.