[Sturgeon55]

Hey guys, hope everyone is enjoying their week! I was wondering if anyone uses any catfish setups with low profile casting reels. I know a lot of the guys do their custom stuff around here so if you got any pics feel free to post.

 

[cat seeker 374]

I know some guys use low profile bait casting reels meant for inshore and musky fishing for cats. I remember some people talking about using the okuma Citrix but that was a while back. I've never used a low profile baitcaster so I cant post pics or anything but I know some people on this forum use them.

 

[LeeWoolery]

I use Okuma Komodo 364 PLX and 464 PLX models but my favorite, by far, is the Daiwa Lexa 400 CC in left-hand retrieve.

Much success,

Lee

 

[VanKley]

I use REVO TORO NACL 60.

Itll be tough to buy another round reel.

 

[LeeWoolery]

The Komodo 363 and Daiwa 400cc have 25 pounds of drag and the Komodo 463 has 30 pounds.

These three reels have bait clickers which are helpful for some catfishing applications.

The Komodo and Lexa low-profile baitcasters are compact, powerful and designed for casting heavy lures or baits with big fish in mind.

I very seldom use my 6500 c3 or 7000 c3 reels since the introduction of the Komodo's and Lexa with bait clicker.

Lee

 

[rnickel17]

I used to use the Shimano Curado 300E all the time for channels and some flathead fishing. I loved it! Unfortunately a Catfish drug that reel and my rod into a river a few years back. $250 reel goes bye bye. Sad day it was. They work fine, just no need at all for me to spend that much money in order own an Excellent catfish reel. Too many great reels out there well under that price. Plus the High Gear ratio might be tough with Really big cats.

 

[metalman]

............Plus the High Gear ratio might be tough with Really big cats.

Let me start by saying that this is by no means aimed at you Ray, just a comment in general and one that some might take issue with.

High ratios and big fish are not mutually exclusive!
The high ratio vs. big fish thing comes up regularly and it's one of my pet peeves; I always cringe when I see people holding the rod rigidly in one position and mashing down on the reel handle like they are winding up a full bucket from a well.
To me, a reel is not a winch! It's place to store to store line and house the drag and anti reverse mechanisms.
If the rod is used to gain line and then that line is gathered by lowering the rod and winding the reel, the ratio of the reel isn't really part of the equation.
There are some obvious caveats. Using a high ratio reel for halibut where you might have to bring 3lbs of lead up 300 vertical feet would be very tedious using the lift and wind method.
High ratio reels, as long as they have a stout frame, strong anti reverse and a good drag are fine for even big cats in reasonable depths using reasonable amounts of lead. Whether they are worth the $$ they might cost is a different question.

...W

 

[beshears]

Just bought a Diawa Lexa 300 line counter left hand with power handle to use on my bumping rod. Held 750 ft of 65 lb braid. Looks like a nice reel, considering getting another. List for $200 but is $132 on E Bay. All my other reels are Garcia 7001 and 6601C4.

 

[lostinohio]

Metalman your absolutely on point with the ratio having no effect on bringing in the big boys. I bank fish so that made my decision on the komodo 471. The higher ratio allows me to bring my gear back in quicker with less chance of getting hung up. But honestly with 30lb of drag if I wanted to I could start winching.

 

[Captain Billy]

I like the Okuma Citrix 350. It's the cheapest large low profile. I have one that is two seasons old now and still working good for me.

 

[Steves1911]

I have a revo toro and a daiwa lexa 300 wn. They work great!

 

[Sturgeon55]

Hey guys, reviving this thread because I found out this came out recently. Wider spool, left hand and right retrieve, 230/14 lb mono, 35 lb drag. Not bad at all. https://www.kastking.com/kastkingkapstanbaitcaster_p0280.html

 

[Ammo]

Hey guys, reviving this thread because I found out this came out recently. Wider spool, left hand and right retrieve, 230/14 lb mono, 35 lb drag. Not bad at all. https://www.kastking.com/kastkingkapstanbaitcaster_p0280.html

Is that a clicker switch I see on the side?

 

[Sturgeon55]

Is that a clicker switch I see on the side?

Yes it is. Definitely something to consider at that $120 price tag.

 

[ramon06]

Could a power handle be added to this reel?

 

[Ammo]

I like KastKing. Pretty decent stuff for the price. I'm looking pretty hard at that one right now....

 

[Khh27]

Says the handle is 5.1" that's seems pretty long to me right off the top of my head.

 

[ramon06]

Says the handle is 5.1" that's seems pretty long to me right off the top of my head.

Picked up a nice rod a few minutes ago at Castaways on clearance for $90, so guess I'll be ordering this reel tonight.

 

[VanKley]

Kast King fail on you if you fish hard or are more than the weekend Warrior...
IMO.

 

[Sturgeon55]

Kast King fail on you if you fish hard or are more than the weekend Warrior...
IMO.

I hear ya. I have had good luck using their sharky III series for cats. But people have had very good luck with the Rover series and it seems like kastking is starting to get into the more expensive market which means better quality products. I use the sharky III as my smaller live bait setup and I have caught many many cats on it without it ever giving me a problem.