Reel Upgrade time!

[Taz575]

I think it's time for some new reels I just started my rodbuilding business and need some reels to round out my collection for static testing and test casting.

Freshwater I have a 2500 Shimano Sienna spinner, a St. Croix premier 750, Tica Cetus 550 and a Shimano Corialis for the baitcasting. I picked up an Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 6500C3 Classic for lightsalt/heavy freshwater (fluke, catfish, pike, etc). I should be covered for Freshwater stuff, I may upgrade the drags in the 6500 if I can find some carbontex or smoothies. My freshwater fishing is limited to trout occasionally with some bass sprinkled in, but I mainly have the reels for test casting and spacing. The Abu will see the most use on the fluke rods.

For Salt, I have a Shimano Saros 4000 spinner (LIS stuff bluefish, stripers), Shimano Tekota 600 and 800 (will be doing carbontex drag upgrades) and an Avet Pro 50 EXW for my offshore rigs. I am looking at getting a Saragosa 8000 and 18000 for Offshore spinning with drag upgrades and Stella Handle on the 18000.

I like the size of the Tek 600, its my go to reel for LIS stuff (bluefish, stripers, fluke, blackfish/tog, sea bass, etc). I actually opened it up a couple days ago to check the internals, no corrosion, but I will redo the drags and relube this winter. The 800 I picked up for Cod fishing due to capacity, but am debating getting an Avet (LX4.6?) or a Daiwa Saltist (30 or 40?) instead for that. The 800 is pretty big and bulky, and may be too big to comfortably handle for Cod, so I may sell that one to help fund the avet or saltist purchase. Looking to spend around $200 to $300 for the "cod" reel, probably use it for mahi/wahoo as well, thats why I am leaning to the Avet. Something between the 600 and 800 size, but can handle heavier duty. I would most likely be running 65# braid on it.


Between the 3 spinners, avet 50, Avet "cod reel", can you guys think of any other reels I may need for building up rods for testing purposes for saltwater?

[Taz575]

Any thoughts at all???

Would the Tekota 600 with upgraded drags handle the strains of Cod fishing out of Mass? It is supposed to have 18# of drag stock, should be the same with the Carbontex drags, but will the reel internals handle that abuse or should I step up to a Daiwa Saltist Levelwind 4.9 40 for around $200 or an Avet JX single speed for $300?? Again, it would be using 65# spectra, with a mono or fluoro ~6' leader of 40# or 50# for bluefish/striper, a short leader for Cod (Stellwagen banks fishing). Usage would be mostly jigging with some light casting (throwing lures out to clear other lines, not distance casting!) I would prefer a levelwind to save my fingers with Spectra, but I do need LW practice for my Tuna gear anyway! I could probably replace both of my Tekota's with one of these 2 reels. The Tekota 600 weighs 16 oz, the 800 weighs 30 oz, the other 2 weight around 23-24 oz, so thats right in the middle.

A) Saltist 40 levelwind 4.9
B) Avet JX or LX single speed, 4.9
C) upgrading the 600 with Carbontex and spooling with 65# spectra, selling the 800 and putting it towards one of the Saragosas

I will get the LX6/3 next year probably when I have more money.

If anyone has a Saragosa 8000 or 18000, can someone measure the Spool Lip Diameter for me??

[Taz575]

Picked up the Saltist 40 levelwind, mono backer (around 30 yds to cover the spool) and over 400 yds of Daiwa Samurai Braid, 70#. Cod, here I come! I love this braid, so much smoother than P Pro!