Being fairly new to fishing the salt, how do these 6501 C-3's hold-up against it. My other reel is a Shimano TR200G, composite body, aliminum spool from Ted's.

Matt

Is there anyone in the Issaqua area that would be willing to ship me a few reels, I am in Oregon. I will buy you a reel to make it worth your time. Thanks in advance. dburton@proaxis.com or 541-979-5218

Haha.. too bad I reel with my right hand. Maybe it would be worth learning to reel with the left.

From my experience, if you're right handed and try a left handed reel for a while, you'll never go back. Never known any steelheader that did. The right hand reels are a bass thing and they are to stubborn to even try. The big plus is casting and holding the rod as well as playing the fish with your right hand and dominant arm, plus you youre not swiching from one hand to the other all the time. Makes perfect sense after you try it for a while. I got started on a left hand reel when someone had me sit down and faux reel with one while watching the TV one night. The only right hand reels I have now are on boat reels for those that aren't comfortable yet with a lefty.

Heck of a deal on a great reel. IMHO being a left handed reel makes it all the better!

crwcbtrk,
GI Joes advertised that they were having a 14 hour sale on the Friday after Thanksgiving. They advertised that several left-hand reels would be on sale for 29.99 down from 60 something.
I went into the Lakewood store and they had several left-hand baitcasters as well as some spinning reels on sale. They had a stack of 6501 SE's on sale for 29.99. The salesman told me (don't know if it is true) that the 6501 SE's were a special order and production for Walmart. He said that the manufacturer had just finished producing the 6501's and was set to start producing 6500's when Walmart canceled the order. He said that ABU GARCIA was stuck with all of the 6501's. He also said that the buyer for GI JOES recognized the mess and purchased the 6501's for a very good price. He told me, anyway, that all of the GI JOES would have all of the reels on sale as well as the 6501's. I don't know if the story is true, but I know a good deal when I see one. I was actually looking for a 5501 instead of a 6501 (I own 3 already). If anybody has a new 5501 and would like to trade for my new 6501 then let me know. Jack

wishfish, i dont make it to issaquah very often, only been there 2 times my whole life..so im not sure i cant help ya out there..plus im not sure how many reels are left, maybe call gi joes and have them ship you some, pry be cheaper than buying someone a reel..