Low profile baitcaster question

[davelumb]

I've been loaned a Lew's low profile baitcaster to play with, which is ergonomically and mechanically very nice and has just about the right size spool for 65lb braid. But...



It's unusable. Well, by me it is.

I detest levelwinds which don't follow the line during the cast. It bunches heavy lines so it never stays level on the spool and that leads to birdsnests. It's bearable with fine line on tiny reels you can barely get your thumb on the spool, but on wider reels using heavier lines it's crap.

Then there's the thumbar. Horrible, horrible things.

One of these defects 'features' I could probably live with, but not both.

So, gearheads, is there a decent size low profile multi which doesn't disengage the levelwind on the cast and has a push button spool release? I see Abu are listing a 'heavy duty pike' Ambassadeur that's a 5000 size with a thumbar. FFS! Are all reel designers fuckwits? It is green though.

[Smoothound]

Can't help with your actual question Dave but I've just put a baitcasting setup together for some of my Bass fishing this summer and after struggling with a couple of loaned reels I've settled on a Shimano Scorpion 17 DC and it's great so far. Can't see me using my usual fixed spool this year at all

[Mark_Houghton]

The Okuma Citrix 350 has a levewind that stays engaged when casting Dave. Large capacity too

https://www.mudhole.com/OKUMA-Citrix-35 ... ting-Reels

[davelumb]

The Okuma Citrix 350 has a levewind that stays engaged when casting Dave. Large capacity too

https://www.mudhole.com/OKUMA-Citrix-35 ... ting-Reels

Cheers Mark. I Knew one of the resident nerds would have the answer!

I'll probably stick with my round Ambassadeurs though.

[Mark_Houghton]

The Okuma Citrix 350 has a levewind that stays engaged when casting Dave. Large capacity too

https://www.mudhole.com/OKUMA-Citrix-35 ... ting-Reels

Cheers Mark. I Knew one of the resident nerds would have the answer!

I'll probably stick with my round Ambassadeurs though.

I only knew as i had to fix one for someone a good while back....it`s taken me since you first posted to remember wtf model it was

[davelumb]

The Okuma Citrix 350 has a levewind that stays engaged when casting Dave. Large capacity too

https://www.mudhole.com/OKUMA-Citrix-35 ... ting-Reels

Cheers Mark. I Knew one of the resident nerds would have the answer!

I'll probably stick with my round Ambassadeurs though.

I only knew as i had to fix one for someone a good while back....it`s taken me since you first posted to remember wtf model it was

[DaveGreenwood]

What a wasted opportunity does this loanee know you still ride a Penny Farthing Lumby?

[davelumb]

What a wasted opportunity does this loanee know you still ride a Penny Farthing Lumby?

[JohnCopeman]

Is green the new black??????
Hope it's Matt.

[davelumb]

Is green the new black??????
Hope it's Matt.

Shiny.

https://abugarcia-fishing.co.uk/collect ... el-1556391

[JohnCopeman]

I think all the Okuma do.
The Komodo ( Green) and Komodo SS ( black) are beasts.

[davelumb]

I think all the Okuma do.
The Komodo ( Green) and Komodo SS ( black) are beasts.

[JohnCopeman]

Are you actually gonna cast some lures again Dave?
Might struggle with the loaded waters for Tinca

[davelumb]

Are you actually gonna cast some lures again Dave?
Might struggle with the loaded waters for Tinca

Not a problem where I fish, John.

[JohnCopeman]

Speaking of " Beast" that tackle pimp Mr Sykes has the proper one...Le Maitre get it bought, the straw is dry this year.

[Steve Le maitre]

Speaking of " Beast" that tackle pimp Mr Sykes has the proper one...Le Maitre get it bought, the straw is dry this year.

Too late, straw might be dry but money is now tight. Seen the Snap-On man three weeks on the trot.

[davelumb]

Speaking of " Beast" that tackle pimp Mr Sykes has the proper one...Le Maitre get it bought, the straw is dry this year.

Too late, straw might be dry but money is now tight. Seen the Snap-On man three weeks on the trot.

There's a way to spend money!

[LB]

Can't go wrong with these Dave, thumbar is pretty good. I also have the revo toros and they're good too but the thumbar isn't as sharp.

[davelumb]

Can't go wrong with these Dave, thumbar is pretty good. I also have the revo toros and they're good too but the thumbar isn't as sharp.

[davelumb]

Well, I've had a couple of hours using the reel today. Nice and smooth, easy to control, casts well. The things I thought might be a niggle (gear ratio, thumbar and disengaging levelwind) weren't. However...

It felt tiny, line level drops rapidly on the cast (hence the high gear ratio?), didn't like cranking big bladed spinners/spinnerbaits, and there was a little annoying play in the handle. The handle itself was very nice.

I put an ancient 6501C3 Ambassadeur on for the last ten minutes and it was like using a tool rather than a toy. It fit my hand just right and casts and retrieved like a reel should - even if it was making squealing noises (hadn't been used for ten years this one, so I'll let it off!). It just worked.

Itch scratched, and money saved. I might see about some replacement handles though.

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