TexasKayakFisherman.com

What is “the best” catfish reel? Loaded question because everyone has their own opinion but I need a couple and can’t figure out which will do a great job long term with few or no problems.

Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions. I appreciate them!!

Ray

For me it’s the Abu Garcia 7000C I have had these for several years already and no issues. Rather fishing the banks or kayak they have done the job.

Harold Ray wrote: ↑Fri Jul 14, 2023 5:11 pm What is “the best” catfish reel? Loaded question because everyone has their own opinion but I need a couple and can’t figure out which will do a great job long term with few or no problems.

Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions. I appreciate them!!

Ray

I use the ambassador 6500 for all my catfish stuff from the yak. I have caught some great ones on that reel. I like the 7000 as well. I have one that I use for bullreds.

Y'all might like this.
Here's a custom 6500CS Rocket I built on an Akios barstock frame to match a Rich Hedenberg 8' surf-lure rod.
It has full ball-bearing LW, alloy/ceramic rider, zirconia pawl, 5-mm-deep spool for fishing 45-lb braid, mag and centrifugal brakes, stainless gears, BB main shaft, and B-trap snakehead drag washers.
The frame lowers the spool 8 mm closer to the rod, has amazing thumb access, but has a long reel foot, and needs a split reel seat with L3 of 72 mm.

Man that is pretty slick !!!!!!!!

Thanks - I love tinkering Ambassadeurs
1500CI - got the weight down to 6 oz, and it will fish 1/16 oz



all the reels below have the mag set at 3 g
4600C Express frogger (up to 1 oz)
'77 4500C - my favorite low-inertia BFS result (centrifugal set for 5/8 oz)
liked it so much, another '77 4500C on a long finesse rod (no centrifugal), will cast 3 g to 90'



Shore micro-jigging 4500CT (no level wind), 6.3 gears, casts 3 to 7 g into next week

Would be great for a bumping set up!

I would stick with Abu Garcia bait casters.Either 4000,5000,or 6000 sizes.Only difference in those is the spool.I like the ones with a clicker.

Also I prefer only the ones made in Sweden.The China ones are a pos.It will say on the side plate.If you buy used.They can totally be rebuilt to new condition.

Hey Ron that an awsome reel.I built mine on a green AKIOS cage.I love those one piece cages.Mine only has a mono mag though.I like yours better.I can get a hundred yards with a three ounce weight though.Glad to see others building reels like that

I do have a lot of Abus for sale if interested

Copperhead75 wrote: ↑Fri Dec 01, 2023 4:01 pm I do have a lot of Abus for sale if interested

Got anything in a 6500 with a power handle sir?