Fishing Help

[Ladylethal 12]

I'm going home in August and my dad has asked me to buy a reel and rod for him. He has some requirements but has left it to me to find reviews for the rods and help him pick the best one for him.

So first things first this is for freshwater fishing, in lakes in our farm and in rivers in the Amazon. He uses baitcasting as opposed to spinning reels, btw. As far as the reel goes he dreams of having a Shimano Antares but at 700 bucks it's not gonna happen. So he wants me to check prices for the Shimano Curado CU200E7 model. So far I've seen it for around U$ 180 but still am looking at good online fishing stores that would ship it to Puerto Rico. If any VJ fishermen know of better deals for this reel and have links would be much appreciated.

Now comes the tougher part. He's not sure about models of rods except that he also wants a Shimano rod. He'd like a cork one, of course it's for baitcasting (to go with the reel), and he'd like a medium power and a line weight of 15-40 lbs (or anywhere in between, 12-20, 30-40, etc). That's where I have no idea which models I should be looking at. I'm thinking something in the U$ 80 to U$ 100 range.

Sooo, do we have experienced fishermen that could help me? It'd be much appreciated.

[Ban Hammer 13,333]

i prefer spinning reels. i think the line weight you listed is a bit high though.

maybe just get him a penn 14 aught and call it good

[spookyturtle 9,465]

C-4.

[Niels Bohr 72]

You can neglect the line weight because you can replace it with any line weight you want.

[john & jean 37]

for the rod I suggest going to g loomis rods.com. they are a bit expensive but have a lifetime warranty. it is the only rod that I use. I do not think that you will find a rod that has an application as wide as you spoke of...

for line I suggest berkley fireline.

Edited May 25, 2009 by john & jean

[scandal 951]

C-4.

Explosives are always handy.

[wayno 9]

Not familiar with the newer model shimano baitcasters. Have used the calcuttas and loved the drags. My only complaint is they have too many parts. Also some corrosion has been an issue too but I fish in salt water. They also don't take to sand very well. Personally for the price and durability I love the abus and the 6500 C3 or C4 is a good "all around reel". About equal in size to a calcutta 400. Those would be better for 14 to 17lb test mono and can take 30 to 40lb braid no problem. Don't know what kind of line he would be using or what is even available.

As far as rods there are just too many out there that serve the same purpose. Personally I like a 7' one piece but a two piece might be a better choice for shipping. Just something to think about as most 6 to 7 footers are one piece now days.

Personally my "go to" set-up for inshore fishing has always been a 7ft graphite cork grip with an abu 5500 and 12 lb line. A 5500 is a traditional freshwater sized reel. A reel that size could handle up to 30lb on the newer braid lines but looses cabacity with any mono above 12 or 14.

Reputable sites that I'd check into with good prices and selection would be Bass Pro Shops, Cabelas, or Gander Mountain.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

for the rod I suggest going to g loomis rods.com. they are a bit expensive but have a lifetime warranty. it is the only rod that I use. I do not think that you will find a rod that has an application as wide as you spoke of...

for line I suggest berkley fireline.

Loomis makes excellent rods. I still have 6 of them from about 15 years ago. I think at the time IMX graphite was top of the line.

[Niels Bohr 72]

C-4.

Explosives are always handy.

They should've pokes a hole inside the whale's stomach to release the gas.

[john & jean 37]

for the rod I suggest going to g loomis rods.com. they are a bit expensive but have a lifetime warranty. it is the only rod that I use. I do not think that you will find a rod that has an application as wide as you spoke of...

for line I suggest berkley fireline.

Loomis makes excellent rods. I still have 6 of them from about 15 years ago. I think at the time IMX graphite was top of the line.

yeah,I have a few imx and gl4s. the warranty is unbeatable with world wide shipping. until a couple of years ago I fished two hundred days a year. loomis is all that I will use. they will spoil you!!!!

I have landed 100 plus pound tarpon on loomis heavy action bass rods.

[Ladylethal 12]

Oh nice to see good replies. Awesome!

Yes, I was reading around and found that the line weight he wanted was high, but that is due to the fact he does use stronger lines to catch tucunares in the Amazon (no, the pic is not of my father, just showing an example), but I noticed when reading that 30-40 lbs was excessive. Most I've seen of what he wants is around 8-17 or so.

I hadn't thought about rods coming as one piece these days, the ones he has are all two piece rods. He did say he wanted a Shimano rod though, but I'll look into the other ones and let him know about options.

About the reels, I'm pretty sure he's been reading about and knows which he wants. He has a Shimano, I think it's a calcutta, but now he wants either an Antares, a Chronarc or the new Curado, except the Antares is way too expensive so he has me searching for the Curado now.

Oh, and Charles, dad used spinning reels for the longest time, then he tested out a friend's baitcasting reel and now he's selling all his spinning reels and buying baitcasting ones. He loves it. I never tried it myself, last time I was there and he was teaching me how to fish I was using a spinning reel. He's really good on the baitcasting though, so he's excited about upgrading his Shimano for a better one (big competition of equipment amongst his friends).

EDIT: About lines he has access to excellent shops with all types of line, he's got an assortment of them and he keeps buying it, just this specific reel and rod he wanted me to take 'cus the same reel over there was going for over U$ 400 (180 here).

Edited May 25, 2009 by Luis&Laura

[Ladylethal 12]

Bump to ask if those that use baitcasting reels could tell me the difference between round reels and low profile ones.