conventional reels

[merch]

I need to replace my conventional casting reel. I’ve tried a few in the past starting with the Ambassador 7000 which worked OK but the drag was utterly useless as far as bass are concerned. I also had issues with the free spool switch. Don’t think I’ll be buying another one of those. It just felt and looked cheap. I’ve been using an old squidder now for the past 2 years and it works. I like it better than the ambassador as far as the drag goes. I still have issues casting sometimes, backlash and whatnot because I can’t adjust the freespool tight enough for certain plugs and rigs. I’m looking for a solution that doesn’t involve me getting another engineering degree in reel customization and tuning in order to use it. A lot of these new reels are labeled as “tournament” reels but I want a fishing reel. I’m not a casting expert and I want something that works out of the box and isn’t too fast (or can at least be adjusted). I don’t want to have to get into replacing magnets or using special oils in the bearings, etc. Spinning reels work out of the box, shouldn’t conventionals? I’m looking into the Penn MAG series but there seems to have been a lot of versions out there over the years and not sure which may be ideal. Maybe I’ll just get a new squidder but I’d like some advice about options if anyone can offer it. Some advice on lines to use would help as well. Some of the new braids like to bury themselves in the spool. Any info would be great.

Thanks,
Tom

[FontaineRods]

i've used ambassadeur 7000s for years on jetties, occasionally in the surf, and on the boat. the key to that class of reel is replace the stock washers with some smooothie or extreme smooothie washers. if you have a "C3" or "CS" model, you need to occasionally oil the bearings. if the reel "whines" when you cast, your bearings are dry. i clean my drags about once a month or so, depending on how much the reel is fished. bearings get oiled about every other week depending on use also. i prefer 7000's mainly because i can thumb the side of the spool, which is important if you fish braid and dont want to burn your thumb. many other casting reels dont have that lip exposed and you need to thumb the line on the spool. i have fished squidders, but dont care for the "hum" they make when casting, they are heavy (unless you can find after market newell spools and braces), and i dont like to manually flip over the clutch after casting.

maybe pete (or the shop) can consider stocking smoothie components for 6500 and 7000/7500 class reels.

[rirockhound]

Having burned out a few Abu's and a 525 (I lack the needed mainenance gene I guess)

I fish a squidder 146 (Narrow) with 65lb braid for jigging and a newell 229 with 25lb mono for the surf...

for the $$ you cant kill a squidder beyond repair, but they are slow and heavy... the newell 229 balances well on a 1213 for a heavy conventional set-up

[merch]

Thanks guys