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Advise on baitcaster

2K views 20 replies 11 participants last post by  Seekbigger 
#1 ·
Hi everyone, I'm new around here but have been gleaning info. I live in the new river valley area in virginia and fish claytor lake and the new river. I used to be an avid bass fisherman but I was struck with a rare disease similar to MS that has left me crippled up. Have to fish from the bank now when I can find someone to take me.
So here's my question, I have 2 cabelas king kat 8ft casting rods that came with zebco 888s on then that I haven't used yet. I was thinking of putting baitcast reels on these rods but don't want to brake the bank. Want something that can stand at least 25lb test mono. I have 2 other spinning outfits. A 7'6 rippin lips med heavy with a pen pursuit 6000 on it and a berkley mudcat 6.5 with a penn pursuit 5000 on it.
What should I put on the king kat rods or should I just stay with the 888's?
 
#6 ·
You are right about the abu c3 reels. Back years ago when I was bass fishing like a maniac about all I used were 5500c3's. Unfortunately, I have been out of work since November of last year and will never be able to return to work unless God performs a miracle so I have to be tight on any money spent. I ordered one of the clx200's to try.
 
#10 ·
1st welcome from Arkansas....... man on cat fishing with the braided line and advancement in our hook industry i wouldn't be afraid to string one of those 888's with braid and get some quality hooks and get after it......myself i have ABUs and shimano and a couple of off brand reels i have won in tournaments and contests i use them too....i go to flea-markets yard sales and you would be surprised how many Quality reels i have found over the years for a few dollars......
 
#12 ·
Just another option, I bought a catmaxx about 6 years ago in a pinch and the thing just won't die! It has been a battle axe! I've thrown 8oz weight with it a lot, I've never oiled it or even taking the side plate off of it for that matter. I have really abused it and has been super tough! I'm going to buy 5 more soon and a few ripping lips rods.
 
#13 ·
Thanks for the input. I just want to get well enough to get back out there. Got a friend from church who's going to take me out this Wednesday afternoon if I'm able. Got a diesease similar to MS that left me pretty crippled up but I try and get out once a month when I can get someone to take me. I got 2 of those okuma clx200 reels. Can't wait to try them.
 
#20 ·
I said my preferences.

I am a firm believer that you get exactly what you pay for.

I am not the kind of guy that likes to replace gear every year or so.....expanding the collection is fine...replacing is not fine.

I see a lot of these cheap reels getting rave reviews on youtube and I wonder....how long will that last? How many of these people are going to come back in a year or two and tell you how bad the reel is doing?

I know, I am jaded and I am not going to apologize for that....but there is no way you are going to get the same performance out of a 50 dollar reel that you are going to get out of 150 dollar reel...so the question is....does it do so great for a year that it is worthy of replacing every year or so? That 150 dollar reel might last you for the rest of your life....I can almost bet that the 50 dollar reel is not.
 
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