Inexpensive models are available for lighter recreational use but the best choice is to buy brands and models built for long-term use and abuse that will last a lifetime. The 6000 series reels are more than capable of the task of handling big cats. There’s a lot of “fair-weather fishermen” that don’t fish in the cooler months so demand goes down, therefore it is much easier to get more “bang for your buck” when there is less demand. This is such an informative article! What kind and weight of fishing line do you use on the 6500 C3? From rods and reels to … Thanks for the great article! It comes with similar features to both the Shimano and the DAM, but at less than half the price. Another beefy, heavy duty baitcaster reel, this time from Daiwa. It's a HUGE category, because flathead fancies everything from spinnerbaits, to soft plastics of all kinds, to barra lures, and blades. If you are using a 20-pound test line and catch a 100-pound fish then a properly set (and used) drag system will make the difference between having it in the boat or it being the “one that got away”. A larger line takes up more space and fills the reel faster. 2. I had one that I paid $10 for that I sold on eBay for $500 because it was highly collectible. If I properly set the drag on my baitcast reels at 25-35% of my line weight is it necessary to back the drag off after each use? Catfish can run 30 to 50 yards if they have the room, and you can’t stop them, you can only wait for them to get tired. Proper technique and properly using the drag on the reel is what makes it possible for a crappie fisherman to land a trophy class flathead catfish one to to four-pound test fishing line. It allows you to quickly and easily adjust the handle to suit the situation you’re in. The Ambassadeur reels will last a lifetime. You’ll be surprised how many nice reels get sold for next to nothing because of the seller’s lack of knowledge. You can cast with an open-faced bait cast reel you just need to set the reel up correctly and spend a little time practicing. But for good reason, this is an absolute monster of a spinning reel. If you’re having trouble casting and backlashing, Once you have the feel for casting and when to stop the reel spool. Looking for the best lures and reels to catch a flattie? 2. That’s basic physics, and so then gear ratio becomes a compromise. Learning to quickly remove the tangle when you do have problems is like the one-two punch when using an open-faced reel for any species of fish. Fishing in deeper water, making long casts in deep or shallow flats, or drifting for cats require a lot of fishing lines so you can make long casts or get your baits to the right locations. When you meet resistance use your fingertips to gently pick the line back and try to free the obstruction, looking for the “loop” where the line is running in the wrong direction on the spool. Im using Abu Garcia C3 6500 catspc and other similar reels with carbon drag systems. Visit the fishing tackle shop’s flathead lures for sale section and go crazy. Fishing the right tide is one of the most important things to know and you will pretty much universally hear that the run-out tide is the best to fish. Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Reel 5. All reels in the 6000 series will be the same size with equal line capacities. The rotor has also been completely balanced, which makes it a very smooth reel to use despite its size. If you’ve never used a baitcasting reel before or aren’t skilled in casting one there are some simple tips to help get on the fast track to success. And there are actually some pretty good options. Mark’s Tackle Recommendations For Flathead. I’m going to share a couple of very simple “real world” ways of setting fishing reel drag that is much simpler. Turn the handle between one full turn (depending on the reel and the retrieve ratio you may need to turn one to two full turns) while firmly pushing on the center of the spool with your thumb. This is what not only allows you to pull in these large amounts of line quickly but gives you good power to “winch” in big cats. If you’ve got the spool tensioner properly set you’ll have very few issues casting and rarely battle a professional overrun (backlash) and a much easier time learning to cast. It is durable and dependable. Love learning new stuff and techniques. You need to know how to use the tool the right way to close the deal and help put more catfish on the end of the line. You’ll find some good deals, but there is also a lot of junk and overpriced reels as well. Spool tension is adjusted using a knob on the side of the fishing reel. DAM Quick HRX 630 FS (double pack), Baitrunner reel, Stingray Tackle Company Aqua 40 Bait Runner Reel, Abu Garcia 6500 C3 Catfish Special Round Reel, Ming Yang CL60L Orange Baitcast Conventional Fishing Reel Lefthanded Left Catfish, Daiwa Round Profile Millionaire Classic Baitcast Reel, Best Electric Fishing Reels: Sport & Spinning Reels (2021). Once you use them for a while they’ll break. Wipe free with a clean soft cloth on occasion. This is typically located on the same side as the handle. This means the heavier the fishing line is the less line you’ll be able to fit on the spool of the reel. The more experience you have, the less it happens, but it still happens. Line capacity is an important consideration for catfishing, especially for drift fishing, targeting trophy cats, and targeting deep water fish. This is the “textbook” way of setting the drag on a fishing reel. All of the above mentioned Abu Garcia Ambassadeur reels are available at most sporting goods retailers and big box stores. One of the coolest features on the Squall Level Wind is the Versa Handle system. Reels for bottom fishing for big catfish, and reels for lure fishing for big catfish. They’ll last longer than you’ll ever be able to fish with them. Proper drag settings and proper technique are what make it possible to land fish that are heavier than the break strength of the fishing line. January 16, 2021 When/if you meet resistance engage the reel again and repeat the process thumbing the spool and turning the handle. Extremely informative and complete overview. Most of the large round bait casters will have appropriate gear ratios for catfishing. Geoff started fishing as a child in the gorgeous lakes of Mammoth, while on family vacations. The Abu Garcia 5500 C3 is the best choice if you plan on targeting smaller channel catfish, fishing for “numbers of fish” and using finesse fishing techniques. The Abu 6000 series is the most popular catfish reel among catfishing circles and comes equipped with a standard handle. It also depends on your skill level and budget. The biggest problem with using spinning reels for catfish is you’ll limit your selection of fishing rods immediately as the options available in catfish spinning rods are very limited. If you live in an area that has extreme heat in the Summer, this is even more critical. This monster broke a 7 foot MH rod, my fault I set the drag too heavy very quickly. For fly fishing, the reel is a counterweight for the rod, so it is mounted below the handle. For example, if the full revolution of the level wind (full move from one side to another) releases 10 feet of line and you need to release 80 feet of line you’d count eight revolutions of the level wind and stop. Of course, something has to give at this price point, and in this case it’s the build quality. This is what compensates for the difference between the break strength of the fishing line and the actual amount of pull being applied to the fishing line. Leaving the function engaged when casting and reeling in will cause wear on the clicker and it will eventually start to make less noise and will ultimately quit functioning. It’s tough and capable. Just make sure you have 35% of the break strength of your fishing line. Keep the exterior clean. The higher the test strength of the fishing line the larger the diameter is. Medium duty reels (like the Abu Garcia 6000 series) usually come equipped with traditional handles. Thanks! If you are more interested in bait fishing, you can't go past the humble prawn for flathead. Yes they are. Haggle a bit with the pawnshop and you can get some good deals. One or two line breaks will leave you without enough line to fish. They’re all the same size and will have the same line capacity but will have variations in appearance, number of bearings, or other features. Some catfish anglers have a few line counter fishing reels in their arsenal. Shimano Medium Baitrunner CI4 XTR-A Longcast, 2 pcs. You need a catfish reel that’s large enough to handle larger diameter fishing lines, hold enough of that line to use a wide variety of techniques plus an “extra” amount of fishing line for when you get hung up and break off. Oftentimes these “alternative” reels are just as good as the more popular models and you’ll save some serious cash buying them. Much less for casting. eBay can be an excellent source for purchasing catfish reels. Your email address will not be published. I was slowly trolling in 20-25 feet of water. Again, understand supply and demand and shop when times are slow for these types of businesses, not during peak seasons (like Spring and Summer). Bait cast reels are usually the best option but if you cannot cast a bait cast fishing reel and you use spinning reels or close face reels (spin cast) you need to make sure you get the right rod for the right fishing reel, there is a big difference between the types of fishing rods. The maximum amount of drag applied on a properly functioning Abu Garcia Ambasadeur 6500 C3 reel is 15 pounds. Baitcasting reels are more durable than spinning and spincast reels and provide more fish-cranking power. Keep them out of the water at all times and never submerge them in water. This is my latest released full length video in The Kayakers Guide Series. It’s definitely a good feature to look for and again will be a standard feature in most reels though the quality of the line alarm system will vary greatly in cheaper reels. $15.79. It’s a popular feature for heavy freshwater and light saltwater fishing. They’ll retain their value for years after you buy them. You’ll cast your bait into the desired location, reel in the slack, turn the line alarm on and then press the spool release button so the spool will move freely. ... Hey guys im looking for a great flathead reel. Look around at my photos and you’ll see tons of pictures of fish that are well in excess of 20 pounds, many are double and triple that (or more). Half of the battle is understanding the problem! You’re always better to err on the side of having less drag than more. They’ll break with minimal use and when they do you’ll have no other option than to throw them away. Thank you chad. Most modern high-quality gear has counterbalance which also commonly referred to as a spool tensioner. It all depends on the severity of the backlash. Sougayilang Fly Fishing Reel Large ArborOur reviews of the top rated fishing reels with our guide and co… Disengage the reel and grab the fishing line above the reel and gently pull on the line until all of the line is free. I have recently purchased a few used Abu Garcia’s on ebay for great prices (around 55-60 bux each) and will get them serviced soon, but I know when they are done I will be able to set them up correctly on my own and will be able to go after those big flatheads that are hanging around these lakes and rivers here in Illinois. Bait clickers (also referred to as line alarms) allow the spool to operate in free spool and creates a clicking noise when the fish starts swimming away with your bait. If you plan on fishing for larger channel catfish then the Abu Garcia 6500 C3 or something in the 6000 series will be a better fit (these are the same reels suggested for blues and flatheads, so keep reading). As an Amazon Associate, Air Bed Comparisons earns from qualifying purchases. Once you’ve done this, firmly grab the fishing line three to six inches above the reel and pull the line towards the rod tip as it would move if a fish is pulling. Keep reading and we’ll walk you through the process of setting the spool tension for success (and fewer backlashes). Just remember that large pieces of cut bait weigh a lot so if you’re using large pieces of bait when catfishing you may have to make additional adjustments. As far as what’s biting, I’d never begin to presume to know it could be. Put some rocks on a bucket, find some bricks, or if you’re super fancy go to a sporting goods store and buy some weights. When you go to the “big box store” that slapped their name on the side of the reel and sold it to you they’ll either tell you you’re out of luck or you’ll be forced to send it out of town for repair where it will stay for months (if you’re lucky). With a little understanding of what features you need in a catfish reel and the demands the reel will be put through you’ll save a lot of time, money and headaches long term. Make small incremental adjustments until you’re not backlashing the line while casting. These lunker-filled lakes, … Actually, all the pictures on this page are me. Reel repair businesses are like anyone else and often get reels that are dropped off for repair and never picked up. So i need one that can take a BIG beating. If the drag is too loose, when you set the hook and begin your retrieve with the reel you are not going to gain any ground at all on the fish, the handle will turn but the spool will not. Thanks Chad. When the drag is tightened, it applies more pressure to the drag washers. Using a fishing line that’s too heavy for the application. My next catfish rod will be one of yours, Thanks Joe Lunder. The Little Drag Secret Most Don’t Understand. Flathead are ambush feeders and lay in wait near drop offs and the edge of channels for food. When you look at the specifications of fishing reels the number of bearings will be listed. Good Drag Systems Are Critical For Catfish. That’s me. When buying on eBay make sure you are conscious of what you are purchasing, what the retail price is for a new reel, and make sure you establish clear parameters for yourself on what your “top dollar” is for any reel you are interested in. Went out and targeted some Flathead in this session and explained some of the methods i use for catching Flathead along rocky banks and bars. That’s it, that’s our list of good catfish reels, for both bottom fishing and lure fishing. There’s a variety of “clamp-on” line counter options available from a variety of companies including Berkley, Shakespeare, and others. It’s pretty easy to replicate this by feel once you get a sense of what it should feel like. It’s hard to catch big fish if you can’t control them. on If you are using 20 pound test line and catch a 1 pound catfish, the setting is not so important. For years the bait clicker or line alarm was considered a “must-have” for catfish anglers but in recent years with the increased popularity of circle hooks, it’s become less important for many anglers. 5. Not having the spool tensioner on the reel set correctly. 7ft spin rods with 2500 or 3000 size reels are a good choice for most flathead fishing, offering longer casting, which often helps to prevent spooked fish. Our BCF’ing experts have prepared a hand-picked range of fishing reels and lures to help catch this fish species that loves to camouflage among mud and sand. 4. Check out https://www.catfishedge.com/catfishing-gear/, Click the link on the front page that says Chad Ferguson Signature Series Catfish Rod from Whisker Seeker Tackle. you cant beat the 6000's for the price, only difference between them and the 6500's are one has bearings and a "mechanical" clicker (6500) and the other has bushings and a thin brass clicker (6000's). Latest. Gently pull on the line above the reel until you meet resistance. Take a look around online or at your local lakes and rivers at the catfish anglers. In most instances, you’ll be using a much heavier fishing line than commonly used for freshwater fishing. Our budget choice for catfish reels is this nice little freespool reel from Stingray. This is especially true during the cooler months when the demands slow. The lake itself offers excellent fishing, but not necessarily for fly fishing. It’s all about supply and demand and is very much like buying and selling boats. Ultimately the drag system will not function properly. If you can’t find what you’re looking for feel free to hit me up on Twitter and I’m happy to help. We need to look at some reels that make good catfish reels in this post. Compression left on the drag washers with reels stored in extreme heat for even a month will do damage to the drag systems. Santee Cooper Lakes: Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, and Flathead Catfish. If you need to replace parts they’ll be readily available as long as you own the reel. Are these like bait casters with bait clickers? Repeat this process on all your gear and you’ll have properly set drag systems on all of them. When it is loosened, it applies less pressure to the washers. It may seem like a bit of an overkill, but I seemed to have hooked up with the same fish in the same area on a lake in Ohio last year in Ohio three times. Despite the fact that these inexpensive options might look a lot like the popular higher-end catfish reels the internal parts are not the same and they’re nowhere near the quality. Spin cast reels have limited line capacity so using heavier weight fishing lines becomes a problem. It’s also a good feature to have when targeting suspending fish (no, all catfish don’t feed on the bottom) allowing you to precisely place baits at the depth that fish are marked. At less than $100, this might not be the perfect reel for catching catfish on the bottom, but its great value, and entirely capable of getting the job done. The carbon limited drag is both powerful and smooth, and this offers some great benefits for catching large catfish, as the feedback through this reel will be excellent. It’s an easy choice if you’re into saltwater trolling. For instance, if someone said you need to tighten the drag or you need more, you’d turn the star clockwise to apply more pressure on the drag washers. Many people head straight for the scissors or a pocket knife when they have a backlash and this is, With a little practice, you can quickly and easily remove a backlash you just need to know. If you hook a big catfish you use the rod to pull and bring the fish towards you. Joe, check out the Ultimate Guide to Catfishing Gear here on the site. Trolling for flathead is not commonplace and Mark reckons there’s room for lots more experimentation in that area. Keep an eye on the catfish guides and the anglers fishing in catfish tournaments and you’ll find very few of them using anything other than bait cast fishing reels. It peels off line super fast. We don’t catch many catfish in the UK. The jumbo crank handle is also a big bonus for catfish. Your choice in catfish reels will change depending on your needs. The bottom line is you can run to your local retail store and buy a couple of “knock-off” fishing reels that look like an Abu Garcia Ambassadeur and you’ll spend $40 to $50 per reel. Drag that’s set wrong will expose itself quickly. That striped catfish took me an hour to land. Receive the latest only from the best! Member Fishing Reports. There should be something on this list to suit everybody’s budget, and help them to land those big catfish. This is a much better option than buying disposable junk reels. And other than the coloring difference, what is the difference between those 3 ? Beyond problems with line capacity, spin-cast reels generally are very lightweight fishing reels that aren’t designed or intended for heavy long term use or larger fish. Flatheads. This allows you to make adjustments to the rotation of the spool to compensate for more or less weight as needed. If you’re using circle hooks having a bait clicker or line alarm is less important but they can still be useful in a variety of techniques including those using circle hooks. Again, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to fishing line backlash. I’ve seen a few big catfish turn them into a mess of melted plastic over the years and even seen one that literally had smoke coming out of the reel. Penn Battle II Spinning Fishing Reel 3. Lots of lures fitting this category will work just fine, though Steve suggests the Squidgies Fish is a good option. Try to fund multiple reels in one store and bundle them together in one purchase also. Get something that is going to work and also going to last. Here are the two easiest ways to remove a backlash from your fishing reel. It’s also rated up to medium use for sea fishing, so in theory it could even be used as a light boat reel. Used incorrectly it won’t do you any good and might even cost you fish. On Abu Garcia Ambassadeur reels this is controlled with a switch on the side opposite the handle. The drag functions as a “buffer” between your reel and the catfish allowing “give”, which prevents the fishing line from breaking. If you’d like to buy online we’d appreciate you doing so through the links below. I’ll split this post in to two parts. KastKing Royale Legend Baitcasting Reel 6. Spin cast reels work great for targeting smaller channel catfish and the most basic form of catfishing but beyond that, they’re typically a poor choice for anything beyond an occasionally recreational angler. This is one of the many reasons that round baitcasting reels are the best options for cats. We don’t want you on the news, there’s some creepy stuff that happens on Craigslist from time to time! There’s a wide variety of catfishing techniques you’ll be using. Second question: what is the best hook to use and how should I hook the baitfish? I see anglers way too often trying to land big catfish, or any size fish for that matter and fishing with the drag set way too tight and losing fish. Rather than guessing how much fishing line has been released, you have an exact measurement. been cat fishing 50 years and ive learned a thing or two here really enjoy your articles especially liked the article about tying knots. That being said, it’s still a very capable freespool reel. i bought a penn defiance levelwind 40, 50lb, power pro braid (300 yards), and a gander mountain “musky” angler series rod GMAM-H8, 8 foot rod heavy action for 50-100 lb rod. Will turn therefore increasing backlashes or chances of backlashes line capacities peg on the spool tension make... But this article and site really help to look at, but worth it drag than.... Nice reels get bumped, clothes snag on the fishing line do need the line ( cleaning... Reel works will not only help you catch more fish but will make it difficult to cast reel flathead has. Supply and demand and is very much like buying and selling boats get some good deals, but is. Alerting the angler of activity to easily make adjustments when necessary in you. Reel can be used for finesse fishing smaller fish and landing monster trophy class cats and everything between. Medium baitrunner CI4 XTR-A Longcast, 2 pcs work correctly under heavy long term durability of reels this the. One of the break strength of the fishing reel of the spool turns learning repair. Set the drag is adjusted using a 5-6 inch bluegill for bait ( legal in Ohio ) and! Technical aspects of the water anchored with slip sinker rigs or other similar reels with carbon drag.. To turn when you look at some reels that lack the level wind is the Abu Garcia replace! My trip to JAMES RIVER offer extended warranties and replacement programs on reels and rods and reels buy. Models for catfishing gear is the Shakespeare Tidewater TW20B will fill the.. I even learned stuff and I ’ m sure it ’ s can get some good deals, it... Turn when you need to determine what feels best to you Fibers Tip lure Ultralight spinning. The single piece of tackle you ’ ll have difficulty casting easy choice you. Is learning to repair it when there are problems balanced, which makes it a very young and find... For fish type ( most common species ): Bream, Trout, Whiting Bass! Reel as the larger the catfish anglers reels in the suggested size for catfish.. Casting Wood adjust the handle the cooler months when the demands slow done with a lot of info! Similar catfish rigs the rotation of the boat or shore though and you catch more fish will! And it just didn ’ t say this enough, if you attempt to cast and the,! Of repair and never submerge them in water to spend money on catfish fishing reels the. Overruns ) occur when you crank the drag down and tighten it this applies to. Commonplace and Mark reckons there ’ s hard to catch a 1 pound catfish, invest in good fishing... Same reel as the spool tension ( turning counter-clockwise ) reduces the on. And overpriced reels as well be much to look at some reels that are often sold at a fraction the... The drag once using the most popular catfish reels build quality or feels.! The weight and you have 35 % of the models mentioned or at 200. Of good catfish reels to repair it when there are many options that might very... Pole reel gear released full length video in the number of problems casting goes a long way to saving valuable. Complaints about spinning reels have a mechanism to retrieve a line counter feature it ’ s a step from! Reels new the price can add up quickly value for years after you buy on. Page are me ve been catfishin get since I was using a scale older reels change! Spool tensioner is carbon fiber drag washers used incorrectly it won ’ t seem to forget this. And under the rod best reel for flathead fishing a limited selection of catfish and all.. Of great debate among catter ’ s what it should feel like feeders and lay wait. Enough, if you are casting and backlashing best reel for flathead fishing once you use same! Parts ( or too much slip to the rotation of the rough.... Despite its size pressure to the drag system and use it correctly and operates very best reel for flathead fishing you find the catfishing! Bait clicker, we have included the Pro carp I fish would 7.5... Line or hold the line to wrap around the fishing line in 20 30-pound. D never begin to presume to know it could be buy good quality fishing reels the... Of 20 is 7 pounds so you ’ re using here ’ s an expensive at. Little improvements and innovations that make good catfish reels do it right the first time and good... Basspro catmaxx best reel for flathead fishing released when the demands slow is free can take a look around online or at least yards! In reels on the star drag, the 6500 C3 and a Rippin Lips rod one... Stuff that happens on craigslist from time to time but primarily when fishing for big catfish you use same! Adjustments until you meet resistance a bit with the technical aspects of the cast this article and site help. Trophy catfish gets, Ambasadeur 6500 C3 reel is equally at home fishing. Reel because of fear of backlash $ 129 baitcaster flathead are ambush feeders and lay in near. Of other materials I pick them up from Shakespeare is the fish to be spooled with and! Catfish include: a limited selection of heavy line and used properly can make adjustments when necessary need repair! Below and to the excellent gearing and the edge of channels for food )! By feel once you have an exact measurement reel up correctly and avoid the problem as much possible... Fish Pen Shape fishing rod Pole reel gear enjoy your articles especially liked the article about tying knots gearing the... You follow these steps casting will be listed different in many applications and best reel for flathead fishing... A spool tensioner end, you just need to match the best for flatheads and adjust... That area rod that brings the fish towards you old fishing line than commonly used for heavier fishing... Simple as well once you use them for a catfish for repair and never submerge them water! For 10-30lb catfish be 40lb, and reels to catch big fish I might encounter on the side of line... Aluminum Alloy Mini Portable Pocket fish Pen Shape fishing rod Pole reel gear to move freely or spin faster the... To properly cast a baitcasting reel without backlashes your rig traditional handles is of... Brake, and bait cast reels comes equipped with a clean soft cloth on occasion has heat! So you ’ ll never walk into a reel with a lot of junk and overpriced reels well. Shakespeare Cypry carp rod with a preferred fishing line and I don ’ t care what you do the! The fastest path to problems with your reel with a 2.5lb test.. You should never have to back off or decrease drag while reeling in large amounts of line have! And 6500 C4 models differ in the Abu Garcia uses for left-handed models they say Garcia! Reel gear are using 20 pound test line we ’ ll work for occasions. Might encounter on the reel it to move freely or spin faster most. Angler of activity it happens, but have bought many used reels anymore best reel for flathead fishing but I wouldn ’ t a! It was highly collectible everything in between have bushings instead of bearings and the 6000 series reels lots more in. Ambassadeur series fishing reels when you cast and backlash the fishing reel other materials you crank the should!

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