Low profile baitcaster question
- davelumb
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Low profile baitcaster question
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.
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
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Re: Low profile baitcaster question
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
Phil
You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality...
You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality...
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- Barbel
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Re: Low profile baitcaster question
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
https://www.mudhole.com/OKUMA-Citrix-35 ... ting-Reels
- davelumb
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Re: Low profile baitcaster question
Mark_Houghton wrote: ↑Sat Apr 03 2021 20:12 -Cheers Mark. I Knew one of the resident nerds would have the answer!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
I'll probably stick with my round Ambassadeurs though.
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- Barbel
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Re: Low profile baitcaster question
davelumb wrote: ↑Sat Apr 03 2021 20:31 -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 wasMark_Houghton wrote: ↑Sat Apr 03 2021 20:12 -Cheers Mark. I Knew one of the resident nerds would have the answer!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
I'll probably stick with my round Ambassadeurs though.
- davelumb
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Re: Low profile baitcaster question
Mark_Houghton wrote: ↑Sat Apr 03 2021 20:41 -davelumb wrote: ↑Sat Apr 03 2021 20:31 -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 wasMark_Houghton wrote: ↑Sat Apr 03 2021 20:12 -Cheers Mark. I Knew one of the resident nerds would have the answer!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
I'll probably stick with my round Ambassadeurs though.
- DaveGreenwood
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Re: Low profile baitcaster question
What a wasted opportunity does this loanee know you still ride a Penny Farthing Lumby?
- davelumb
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Re: Low profile baitcaster question
DaveGreenwood wrote: ↑Sun Apr 04 2021 08:13 -What a wasted opportunity does this loanee know you still ride a Penny Farthing Lumby?
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Re: Low profile baitcaster question
Is green the new black??????
Hope it's Matt.
Hope it's Matt.
- davelumb
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Re: Low profile baitcaster question
JohnCopeman wrote: ↑Sun Apr 04 2021 09:52 -Shiny.Is green the new black??????
Hope it's Matt.
https://abugarcia-fishing.co.uk/collect ... el-1556391
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Re: Low profile baitcaster question
I think all the Okuma do.
The Komodo ( Green) and Komodo SS ( black) are beasts.
The Komodo ( Green) and Komodo SS ( black) are beasts.
- davelumb
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Re: Low profile baitcaster question
JohnCopeman wrote: ↑Sun Apr 04 2021 10:07 -I think all the Okuma do.
The Komodo ( Green) and Komodo SS ( black) are beasts.
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Re: Low profile baitcaster question
Are you actually gonna cast some lures again Dave?
Might struggle with the loaded waters for Tinca
Might struggle with the loaded waters for Tinca
- davelumb
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Re: Low profile baitcaster question
JohnCopeman wrote: ↑Sun Apr 04 2021 10:28 -Not a problem where I fish, John.Are you actually gonna cast some lures again Dave?
Might struggle with the loaded waters for Tinca
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Re: Low profile baitcaster question
Speaking of " Beast" that tackle pimp Mr Sykes has the proper one...Le Maitre get it bought, the straw is dry this year.
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Re: Low profile baitcaster question
JohnCopeman wrote: ↑Sun Apr 04 2021 10:31 -Too late, straw might be dry but money is now tight. Seen the Snap-On man three weeks on the trot.Speaking of " Beast" that tackle pimp Mr Sykes has the proper one...Le Maitre get it bought, the straw is dry this year.
- davelumb
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Re: Low profile baitcaster question
Steve Le maitre wrote: ↑Sun Apr 04 2021 10:53 -There's a way to spend money!JohnCopeman wrote: ↑Sun Apr 04 2021 10:31 -Too late, straw might be dry but money is now tight. Seen the Snap-On man three weeks on the trot.Speaking of " Beast" that tackle pimp Mr Sykes has the proper one...Le Maitre get it bought, the straw is dry this year.
- LB
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Re: Low profile baitcaster question
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.
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- davelumb
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Re: Low profile baitcaster question
- davelumb
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Re: Low profile baitcaster question
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.
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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