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.
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.
I have a couple Komodo 471's, they tough as nails. I tried to break one this past winter by cranking down the drag as tight as possible; I then hooked it up to my fishing scale and pulled.
The reel was handling 35lbs without issues. I ran the reel through this stress test multiple times and still not a single issue with the reel.
The only thing is the live line feature, while loud and very useful, is not strong enough for use in heavy current. It works great in lakes and reservoirs though.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Most seem to view it as a swimbait reel, like those round low profile shimano cardiffs. And it seems like alot of the guys reviewing are saltwater fishermen. I dont know. Im thinking about giving it a try. $120 not bad for an all around reel like that.
Yeah I was thinking this reel or the Citrix, will be for Cats so I'm guessing I should stick with the Citrix and make it an Okuma pair. They're priced around the same as the Kast King
They do look like it. May go that route instead, forgot about those [emoji848]
Only worries are the old 500s were Abu 6500 sized and 600s were Abu 7000 sized so I dont want to get a giant reel for the rod but in a rod holder who cares lol they'll be for Trophy Cats only
Yeah i dont use the baitfeeder model. When i reviewed it the baitfeeder was extremely quiet. I use the regular 3000 model sharky III and haven't had a problem with it. To each his own though. Maybe I got lucky with a good model. If anyone does happen to try the Kastking Kapstan though for catfishing they should do a review.
Yeah she has the bait feeder. The issue lies in the handle. The revolutions feel weird and a fast retrieve is nearly impossible. No other qualms. Im sure it could be solved with the addition of a power handle but I have not looked into whether or not that is an option.
Ramon, I think you will be perfectly happy with your new setups. The specs on the new Takotas are much better and the old ones were good. I used the BCF heavy rods with Shimano Charter Special 2000 reels at Wheeler last year and wore the big ones out. Great feeling setup.
That's what drew me to them, they look different and promising. They were always a good reel and Shimano has never let me down. I was gonna do the 500 but decided to go big or go home lol Mine was supposed to be in yesterday but I see USPS has shipped my reel from Va, to Tennessee, to Northern, Va and now it's in Maryland smh geesh hopefully I get it next week.
Man I hadn’t seen those new Tekotas either now I want 1....or 6.
I’ve had the Cabelas version of the Komodo for a while and love it. Have caught some Blues in the 40 pound range in current on it no problem, throwing 8-10oz. Usually using smaller weight just cause of the rod I have it on being a lighter rod.
Its finally out for delivery after going all over the country smh I'm at the movies with the fam waiting on end game so I'll get her spooled up and give an initial review later this evening [emoji16]
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