What is the best reel to use on a 10'6" float rod. The reel would be primarily used for float fishing.

Grandpa, I would use the Shimano Stradic 2000.

Granda Pa:

See my comments on the thread "Okuma Meteloid"

I have 5 or 6 rods that I can use for float fishing.....2 10.5 and 4 9.5....all brands-- Shakespear, Shimano, Lamiglas and Loomis, anywhere from $415 down to $70....have used Shimano spinning reels for "years".

Okuma came out with their reels sooooo thought better give them a try......great reel, just too heavy.

I'd sure sell mine.........


"worse day sport fishing, still better than the best day working"

I think I am looking for a bait caster.

My favorite for baitcasting is the Shimano Calais, but if you don't want to spend the money go with the Curado.

Grandpa2 I'm using Ambassadeur 5600 C 5 Mag level-winds on my drift and float rods so far I like them very much they're designed to cast light lures. I'm kinda checking around now to see if It's possible to have a direct drive switch put in them as I would prefer not to have to engage the free spool button/ thumb bar to extend my drifts.

P.S Whats happening with the crab petition deal any new news.

Shimano Curado would be my choice but Shimano is apparently not friendly to non--profit sports fishing groups when it comes to donations. Okuma has been good in the past. I am hoping to find a quality reel from a quality company that believes in donating to quality organizations...Hopefully that won't limit my choices too much.

crab petition update from organizer Gary Hulsey:

I am going to deliver the Petitions to the Governors Office at 11:00 AM on FEB 2, 2004. I will take a contingent of people from our chapter and would like to have as many people from other chapter as possible join me in this. This is a Monday and I realize that many people will not be able to make it because of work so just spread the word and see what we can turn out.
By now I hope that everyone has seen Clint's letter concerning HB 2431.
I have suggested an amendment to the bill that would require that all the crab endorsed CRC's be counted at the end of the season in order to establish a base line with which to compare in season estimates and the suggestion is being considered by Rep. Upthegrove, one of the cosponsors of the bill.
Let your people know about the 2nd and contact me if you have anyone willing to attend.
Thanks,
Gary
PS We have in hand over 6300 signatures at present.

garyhulsey@aol.com

GP2,
Consider looking at the standard calcutta if your thinking curado.
Nothing wrong with the curado, they cast well and all, but I'm starting to find that the aluminum framed calcuttas really seem to hold up to years of abuse better than the graphite-framed low profile (bass) reels. 20-$50 more.
Good luck down in Olympia.

Salmon or steelhead?

I've got a couple of both the Curados and Calcuttas, and what I like about the Curado for float fishing is that I can access the brake system easier when I switch from casting spoons to floats on a stretch of river. Sure I can set the Calcutta to a happy medium and cast anything, but sometimes the wind's just blowing from the wrong direction and I need to add a little braking.

Grandpa, I didn't know that about Shimano and non-profit organizations. Thanks for the heads up. Also, my brother in Oregon was amazed when I told him we had closed seasons for crab in Washington. It's sad that the natives and commercials make that much of a negative impact here compared to our neighbors down south.

I've been more and more impressed with the Pflueger Trion. It's basically a Shimano Curado BSF with one more ball bearing and $50 less. If I were going for a baitcaster, that's the one I would go with.

I have a Curado at it has held up well. Abu 5501C3 would be a good choice and possibly more open to a donation.

Any one know the Abu Rep??

Jacob the Pflueger tip is a good one. They have been making reels since the days of Moses I think. I think I'll try one of those.

I love my 2 Curado Super Free reels but I will be eager to hear how you like the plfuger. Sounds like a bargain. Not to happy to learn Shimano isn't friendly.

Curado BSF for winter steelhead float fishing works for me. I also have a ABU 5600 mag that I have the ceramic bearings in that really hums. The ABU also works really well for float fishing for saltwater salmon.

Ever consider a center pin?

I bought a new Phleuger Level wind for my float rod and love it. It was inexpensive and it casts better than all my other levelwinds.

Grandpa

In my opinion stay away from the Abu's for float fishing. For me they are to HIGH PROFILE and they make my hand start to cramp after 4-5 hours of fishing.

I would go with the Curado

I have been testing the Pflueger Trion and like it a lot. Next choice would be a Shimaon Curado.