conventional suggestions

[Mike P]

Another well built reel in the $170 price range is the Daiwa Saltist. The models that are good for surf fishing are the 20H (the size of a Newell 220), the 30H (size of a Newell 229) and the 30H levelwind.

I bought the 30H last fall and used it the last 6 weeks or so of the season. It casts very nicely with only one red casting brake--it's almost too tame for me. This year I'm going to take the brake out entirely.

The great thing about conventionals is that you don't have to spend 700 clams to get something that will last a lifetime. There are great reels in the $150-$200 range that are built like brick crappers. Even Penn has a winner in that price range with the 525 Mag.

[Finaddict]

Jeremy -

Do not get the Penn International 975 or the similar reels ... they cast well, but I don't like them for working plugs. I grew up using a Daiwa Presidential PS55 or something like that, got it in high school, used it for more than 20 years and it worked great, although it's handle was smaller than I liked ... for some reason i did not go the Calcutta route ... which is a better reel. Mike at M&Ds can help outfit any old Abu you may have like the 7000 narrow spool, don't remember the exact model number, but he does a lot of those reels and people who use them love em.

If you want to spend time casting, let me know, I am happy to help you out. Can loan you a reel or two if you like as well and we can use a variety of reels so you can get the hang of it.

[Finaddict]

Jeremy -

As for line, some people talk about using braid in their conventionals ... not sure the advantage, as if you ever knew Mike Batta, the former Berkley rep and a great caster of conventional gear, he commented that there was no advantage to using braid, so I have not switched over. You are bound to get snarls with your line as you are learning, and even when you have the time under your belt, if you don't pay attention you can still get tangles.

But pitching a plug on a conventional is fun, and you can haul them a country mile ...

... as I mentioned previously, I replaced my Daiwa with a Penn International 975 ... it casts great, but I don't like using it for plugging, doesn't do the job for me and I never use it. I won't give it up but just look to the Abus or the Calcutta first, or the new Shimano mentioned above ... could be a great starting reel at a decent price.

Andy

[nightfighter]

So what don't you like about the Penn Intl 975? I am curious as I have a 965 which I offered to doc to take out for a trial......

[Finaddict]

Originally Posted by nightfighter

So what don't you like about the Penn Intl 975? I am curious as I have a 965 which I offered to doc to take out for a trial......

Ross - A couple of things I am not hot about on the 975, but before I get into those, I will say that they are a smooth casting reel and I can get some great distance. I also like the big handle.

Those aside, I don't feel like it's sturdy enough ... the release button gets in my way when I am working plugs ... I have made some modifications to how I work the plugs, but then I don't get the action I typically like ... but I also feel sometimes it doesn't feel like it is holding up when I am moving it back and forth to put action into a pencil ... it's fine for working the pencils or spooks real slow, but I don't always want to work them slow. Especially if I am casting into fast moving water with a lot of white water ... the Daiwa reel never had a problem, was always on the ball ...

I think the reel would be awesome for jigging and other stuff, just not the plugging I like ... it's been a while, I will show it to you sometime either from the boat or down on the shore ... where I can easily stow it in my car ...

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by Finaddict

Jeremy -

As for line, some people talk about using braid in their conventionals ... not sure the advantage, as if you ever knew Mike Batta, the former Berkley rep and a great caster of conventional gear, he commented that there was no advantage to using braid, so