I've got one of the little Penn Generation jobbies. Super compact reel and I really like it. However, with light lures (esp soft plastics) controlling the overruns is a nightmare esp when you are trying to unpick tangles/loops out of braid. Much as I love it, the amount of time lost meant a change to a conventional reel (Exage 4000) was essential.
I prefer playing fish on the baitcaster, but changing hands after casting (right hand retrieve) wasn't ideal. If I could find a decent low-stretch mono I might resurrect it.

 

I've got the ABU Revo SX and it's a lovely little reel. It's paired up with a fairly stiff fast action Tenryu Shasta BC62M. I find it hard to cast light lures but Vidar doesn't find it so hard with his experience. However he has the Revo Inshore designed for SW use and that has no adjustable brake like my SX. I've used his inshore for a few hours now and have to say it's flawless. Infact it's probably better than my SX cause I keep piddling about with the brake. I've cast a Feed Shallow head on into a force 5-6 no probs, no birdsnests and a fish on. I'm sure Vidar can enlighten you on other options tho.

 

I've got the ABU Revo SX and it's a lovely little reel. It's paired up with a fairly stiff fast action Tenryu Shasta BC62M. I find it hard to cast light lures but Vidar doesn't find it so hard with his experience. However he has the Revo Inshore designed for SW use and that has no adjustable brake like my SX. I've used his inshore for a few hours now and have to say it's flawless. Infact it's probably better than my SX cause I keep piddling about with the brake. I've cast a Feed Shallow head on into a force 5-6 no probs, no birdsnests and a fish on. I'm sure Vidar can enlighten you on other options tho.

I was hoping you'd reply mate as I know you have a revo, whats the difference between the sx & stx (stx is on the list if I can't get the elite)

Has vidar got any of the diawa's?

 

Have a look at tackletour.com they have reviews of a lot of baitcaster reels all done in realworld conditions.
I have an Abu silvermax combo and use 8kg daiwa infinity duo line with it. Its a total bitch with lures below 20g for birdsnests.
I like the look of the inshore and I,ve got it on my crimbo pressie list to replace the silvermax.
I also have Revo toro 61,s loaded with 30lb fireline radial braid for use with my bass rod and they don,t give me any hassle at all.

 

I believe some revos have stainless steel gears.

The revo inshore I think.

http://www.fishusa.com/Abu-Garcia-Revo-Inshore-Low-Pro-Baitcasting-Reels_p.html

 

I'd go for this: http://www.japantackle.com/Daiwa_reels/Daiwa_Zillion_HLC.htm

I'd forget about the alphas the braking system is wrong for our kind of fishing.

the revo stx is a bargain for what you pay

you will be able to alter the braking of the revo inshore too by clicking the brake blocks on and off after you've removed the sideplate(not that tricky -but a pain compared to the mag system) -don't think it will be so good for 7g stuff.

 

The STX is a bargain for what you pay but the difference between the SX and the STX is in the Titanium Worm Shaft, Spool and other refinements. I personally wouldn't buy the STX if you're taking it to the places you already Bass fish Softie. It would be the Revo INSHORE for me, all the way. You know how the braid and spool can get so wet whilst in use regardless, the thought of it all swishing around in a non SW reel doesn't appeal to me.

If you want to use lighter lures with a baitcaster then you need a more forgiving rod than I have. It's the acceleration that you impart in the lure to make it fly which causes birdsnests (does with me anyway) and I used Vidars Inshore on his Lamiglass rod which is much softer in the tip. Worked a treat and would work fine with 7gr lures, not so sure any baitcasting reel no matter how much you spend would cast little lures well without a huge amount of practice on a stiff, short rod. Sure you can make a 7gr lure plop 20 yards regardless but that's not what you always want. I can however chuck a Zonk/TN60/Combat Crank miles (figuratively) with my SX with no problems all day.

As Vidar always reminds me, think of the package as a whole, not one component, as unless they are all correct you won't achieve the results you crave.

 

I have a Shimano Calcutta 151 that I got from America,only used it a few times and never in saltwater.
I also have an ABU EON (think thats what its called,cant remember) this cost me more than the Calcutta and I've never really used it.
Both reels are well made but I never really liked using them preferring fixed spool reels,especially with lite lures etc.

 

Kev and I sometimes use em for plugging, especially backing big plugs down riplines etc...

I still use a little abu 2500 for light plugging and a 5500 or 4600 for heavier stuff.

I think Kev has a revo.

 

Anyone else a little jealous of the French/German/Italian/American & Japanese anglers whizzing around in their little speedboats on big lakes, with their light rods/baitcasters, standing at the front of the boat casting lures 20-30ft in to covers hoping to hook a bass?

I know we have big lakes, boats, access to that sort of tackle and Zander/Pike/Perch/Catfish.... But it's doesn't quite match up if you know what I mean?


Soz Softie, off topic I know.

 

more hassle than its worth trying to cast light lures on a baitcaster, even short distances are a problem, and if the wind is in your face forget it. my revo premier is fine using a small dexter/c bar type down to about 15 grams put a plastic on of the same wieght and its tangle city,

 

Anyone else a little jealous of the French/German/Italian/American & Japanese anglers whizzing around in their little speedboats on big lakes, with their light rods/baitcasters, standing at the front of the boat casting lures 20-30ft in to covers hoping to hook a bass?

I know we have big lakes, boats, access to that sort of tackle and Zander/Pike/Perch/Catfish.... But it's doesn't quite match up if you know what I mean?


Soz Softie, off topic I know.

I agree there mate,its a different world

 

more hassle than its worth trying to cast light lures on a baitcaster, even short distances are a problem, and if the wind is in your face forget it. my revo premier is fine using a small dexter/c bar type down to about 15 grams put a plastic on of the same wieght and its tangle city,

That would depend on your rod. Do you pitch or flip short distances?

The rewards are there if you persist and learn new techniques. I've cast a 1gr Mepps with 4grs of shot up the line on 20lb braid without a tangle. Doesn't go far mind on my Medium Power, stiff 6'2" rod, which was designed for Jig & Worm. In a lot of the Jap/Usa vids you see they are using specialist rods and no doubt alot are lighter weight than I've ever used. You can tell by the way they simply flick a lure, the tackle is matched to the lure. It's very important to realise how much extra ooomph you can get with a much lighter rod matched to the lighter lures.

 

I have a shimano calais but dont realy get on with it for light lures, much prefur fixed spool for that stuff.

 

Pick the ABU REVO INSHORE it's small and powerfull, and very important it's saltwater proof. You can't go wrong with it. But 7 gr is a bit light i think.

 

For saltwater use with the lures in the weight range you described I would go for the one of the following reels.

Daiwa Alphas 150HL (it is the only one except the original reel that is saltwater safe)

http://www.bass.jp/reel.php?c=reel&mode=detail&uid=4960652706827

Daiwa Millionaire SW 103L

http://www.bass.jp/reel.php?c=reel&mode=itemlist&tcat=Casting&series=Millionaire+SW

If you want to spend more money the Daiwa Ryoga or the Shimano Conquest 101 DC are amazing alternatives, with the Shimano the better alternative for the lighter lures. The Conquest DC with its computerized braking system is probably the best reel in existence for casting into a headwind

http://www.bass.jp/reel.php?c=reel&mode=itemlist&tcat=Casting&series=Ryoga

http://www.plat.co.jp/shop/catalog/...0/river-lake-fishing-freshwater/reel/shimano-baitcast/calcutta-conquest-dc.html

I have caught and landed a 23Ib salmon in a very fast running Norwegian river using a Shimano Conquest 101 DC loaded with 30Ib Power Pro.

It isn’t the longest casting reel in existence, but for the money the Abu Revo Inshore is a very descent alternative

Yes, there are disadvantages when lure fishing with baitcasting reels but there are certainly some huge advantages too. One being the far superior line management that allows you to completely forget about wind knots in addition to much more direct contact with both lure and any fish caught. Then last but not least, due to the slight resistance from the spool, the line bow that you get casting into a side wind is greatly reduced allowing for much quicker pickup allowing for faster and more efficient fishing.

I have used baitcasting reels for 90% of my lure fishing the last 20-30 years and I use them for lures weighing as little as 1/8oz (3.5 grams) and I can assure you that the achievable casting distance is more than adequate for most fishing situations. The trick is, as Nosam already have pointed out, to use a balanced outfit

 

A friend picked up a Ryoga for light tropic jigging - I was blown away by the quality!

 

For saltwater use with the lures in the weight range you described I would go for the one of the following reels.

Daiwa Alphas 150HL (it is the only one except the original reel that is saltwater safe)

http://www.bass.jp/reel.php?c=reel&mode=detail&uid=4960652706827

Daiwa Millionaire SW 103L

http://www.bass.jp/reel.php?c=reel&mode=itemlist&tcat=Casting&series=Millionaire+SW

I have used baitcasting reels for 90% of my lure fishing the last 20-30 years and I use them for lures weighing as little as 1/8oz (3.5 grams) and I can assure you that the achievable casting distance is more than adequate for most fishing situations. The trick is, as Nosam already have pointed out, to use a balanced outfit

Vidar, your a gem, I fancied the Alphas from the start, but thought the 150 would be a little on the large size as the rod is in the 6'6" range....and balance is the key :victory:
Can you palm the 150 with size 9 hands?

 

Vidar, your a gem, I fancied the Alphas from the start, but thought the 150 would be a little on the large size as the rod is in the 6'6" range....and balance is the key :victory:
Can you palm the 150 with size 9 hands?

I have very small hands and yes, the Alphas 150 will be just fine.

I forgot to mention the new saltwater version of the Daiwa Zillion that, considering the normal Zillion is a fantastic reel for the money, should be a great alternative.

In fact, the Zillion Costal looks so interesting that together with the Olympic Veloce GLVC-692MH rod it is on my early 2010 shopping list, and it is planned to be my finesse soft plastics outfit when fishing from a boat.

http://cgi.ebay.com/DAIWA-Zillion-C..._W0QQitemZ280402348287QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item41494848ff

http://www.olympic-co-ltd.jp/en/g_rod/veloce_bait/glvc_692mh.html

 

I can see this thread is heading towards costing me lots of money....
About twenty years ago my bass lure fishing was exclusively with baitcasting reels. I used ABU 2500C, XLT1, XLT1 two speeds and a few others. Then I gave up lure fishing for bass because the fishing was cr@p not because of the tackle. After years of match fishing it just seemed easier to use fixed spools for bass lure fishing a couple of years ago when i started again. After spending some time working in Tokyo I bought a Daiwa Bay Special 103 and a SW 203. The Millionaire CVZs and the (Daiwa)reels derived from them, are brilliant, well engineered and cast very well, They are light years ahead of what i used to use. Not tried any of the low profile ones though to compare them.
So it sounds about time to resurrect the baitcasting tackle and give it a go again. Especially as the new generation plugs casts miles further than the old rapalas and yo zuris i used to fish with. I am sure there will be lots more interesting threads appearing on this subject.


P.S. If anyybody wants a Shimano Calcutta, I have three for sale. PM me if you are interested.

 

Softie, what rod are you planning on using?
What baitcasting rods are other people using for bassing?

 

saltwater version of the Daiwa Zillion,

Vidar Daiwa are flogging these two as saltwater reels:
http://www.japantackle.com/Daiwa_reels/Daiwa_Zillion_PESP.htm
http://www.japantackle.com/Daiwa_reels/Daiwa_Zillion_HLC.htm
The HLC doesn't seem to have corrosion resistant bearings(but that could easily be fixed). Just wonder if there are any other issues with these that you know of?

 

Vidar, your a gem, I fancied the Alphas from the start, but thought the 150 would be a little on the large size as the rod is in the 6'6" range....and balance is the key :victory:
Can you palm the 150 with size 9 hands?

Softie, I've used one of Vidar's Daiwa's (I'm sure it was) on my 6'2" rod and I found it mildly uncomfortable compared with my Revo. Low profile suits me better although my hands are bigger than Vidars so shouldn't put any value to that. I do love the way you can palm the reel, rotate the rod 75 degrees along it's axis and use the natural bend in your wrist (like revving a motorbike) to work the rod and lure as one.

Neverenough: My rods a Tenryu (its black) Shasta BC62M paired with my Revo SX but I don't use the reel in SW. It weighs approx. 375 grs complete. It's handled Pike up to 10lb with ease so I'd love to hook a silver shakey head on it. Time will tell.

 

Vidar Daiwa are flogging these two as saltwater reels:
http://www.japantackle.com/Daiwa_reels/Daiwa_Zillion_PESP.htm
http://www.japantackle.com/Daiwa_reels/Daiwa_Zillion_HLC.htm
The HLC doesn't seem to have corrosion resistant bearings(but that could easily be fixed). Just wonder if there are any other issues with these that you know of?

Pisc, the Zillion PE version is indeed saltwater safe and I know of quit a few that use them as such, but I certainly wouldn’t use the HLC in saltwater.

However, neither of the two reels have a performance that comes close to justify the huge increase in price over the standard Daiwa Zillion reels.

There is also another Daiwa reel highly suitable for saltwater that I totally forgot to mention, namely the HRF

http://www.bass.jp/reel.php?c=reel&mode=detail&uid=4960652657341

The Daiwa HRF is very, very popular with many Australian saltwater Barramundi anglers, and is renowned for its casting abilities and ruggedness.

 

Softie, I've used one of Vidar's Daiwa's (I'm sure it was) on my 6'2" rod and I found it mildly uncomfortable compared with my Revo.

Nope, that was a Abu 4601 UC, which doesn’t have a recessed reel foot and sits much higher on the rod than a similar sized Daiwa Millionaire or a Shimano Conquest, and consequently are a lot more uncomfortable to palm