casting reel

Happy New Year all. With that said, my New Years resolution is to go fishing more and pier fishing is what I enjoyed many years ago, Like I said , I grew up fishing the old crystal beach pier and okal;oosa Island pier, but for many years and obligations have been out of it. I used an ambassadeur 7000 as my cobia reel and could put my lure in a paper cup, The old ones were great, but looking at the new ones not so much.. Does anyone have a suggestion on a casting reel that they could recommend? Looking for distance and quality. Good drags are a must.I realize a spinning set-up is most commonly used and I have my 706's, but love a coventional for ling. Thank You for any suggestions.

not that I know(which I don't)....I would suggest a shimano calcutta 400b maybe even the 700b(or the TE models)....but that might be just a little big

For the $$$ you cant go wrong with a Avet LX or SX. Both are great reels depending on how much line you want to hold. I've had both and never had a problem with either. The Torium is also another good reel for the money but I have seen them fail more than once. Usually on sharks or someone having a drag to tight. If you want to spend some money look at the Trinidads. Amazing reels but a little expensive. Hope that helps a little

Good alternatives mentioned.
Still might be worth another look at the new 7000i C3.
Reviews seem to indicate a correction of some previous flaws...
http://www.stripersonline.com/t/5975...-c3ct-mag-reel

Thank You very much for the options. Has anyone casted the trinidad or avets. How are they for distance?

I've never owned a Trinidad but I've seen them in action many times and they cast like a dream. I own Avets and they cast really nice. The smaller SX is much easier to cast. I use mine at the moment for big catfish and striper fishing. I use a 3-4oz lead with a perch for bait and can get it where ever I need

If you have had experience with and liked the older Ambassadeur reels look in to an Akios. The distance casting and conventional surf guys seem to like them pretty well and they are based off of the old ABU Garcia models.

I have not used a Trinidad, but my impression of them is not one of a distance capable reel. It strikes me as more of a reel for shorter casting from a boat and are a bit pricey for me to give them much consideration.

I own an Avet SX MC and have owned a MXJ without magnetic cast control. The magnets on the SX are too close to the spool or simply too strong. It will control backlashing, but it does severely limit the distance that I am able to throw with it. An Avet without MC is a wild beast and will get away from you in just a blink of an eye. None of the Avets has any sort of an exposed rim on them so any thumbing has to be done on the line wound upon the spool. It is a recipe for disaster to try to slow the line and allow the spool to continue to turn underneath it, when the exact opposite is what is needed to prevent a backlash. Avets are strong reliable reels but they leave a bit to be desired as far as casting is concerned. If you want to test drive my SX let me know, let me know I'd be happy to let you try it and would even consider selling it to you.

David Allison had a nice casting reel that went a long ways, with the right weight combination....but also got some backlash at times....not to sure what reel it was....might want to ask him....the net maker

David's is a penn 525 mag...

[quote author=ironman172 link=topic=2452.msg22265#msg22265 date=1357076659]
David Allison had a nice casting reel that went a long ways, with the right weight combination....but also got some backlash at times....not to sure what reel it was....might want to ask him....the net maker
[/quote]
[font=comic sans ms][size=12pt]Allison is “eDave733” on the forum. Bill is right, he gets some real distance and an occasional nest.

[quote author=Peaches link=topic=2452.msg22266#msg22266 date=1357077164]
David's is a penn 525 mag...
[/quote]

I thought it was one of the newer Penns, a Squall or a Fathom maybe?

I Thank Everyone..This is the dilema I'm in.Know what used to work and there are countless new models. Have tried researching the field testing, but the answers I need are not there. Anyone have any experience with the FINNOR marquesa.
Thank You Again

wish I was closer, you could try out my calcutta's..... but only troll or bottom bump with them.....spinning only for me when casting :boohoo:

A Fin Nor Marquesa is probably a pretty good reel, but it would be a poor caster. Tell us more about what type and size of line you plan on using, what size lure are you planning on using and how far do expect to be able to cast.

DRH, I will only use mono and min. 20 to 25 max. Cobia jigs and live eels are probably all I will throw. Alreay have the rod built, but this reel thing is making me crazy. I'm leaning toward the Calcutta , but Ron Trine{Rod and reel Depot} told me the newer ones don't compare to the older ones and very hard to get parts for.
Thanks

If you are considering a Calcutta, another reel to consider would be a Daiwa Luna. Here's a review of it comparing it against a Calcutta TE http://www.tackletour.com/reviewdaiwaluna.html just to further complicate your choice.

It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks and even harder for a person used to the old stuff that feels right to them to use something else.You have a couple months,look on Ebay and find you one.

yep John is right....here's a nice one on there now and a few more too....I know the muskie fisherman up here like them that's all I use the Calcutta's for, when I actually target them

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-ABU-...item4d0848a165

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trks...&_from=R40

[img width=600 height=450]http://i49.tinypic.com/201ppi.jpg[/img]

You gentlemen are great and it looks like the calcutta 700 TE is what I will go with. I appreciate all the help in making my mind up, now just need to get out and fish.Hope to meet everyone this spring.

Good choice,you'll just have to get used to no backlashes and a very smooth drag.

I would personally recommend a penn squall,load it with 25 mono or braid

Those Shimano Tranx are cool just a little pricey.

i do agree that shimono would be a good brand to look at (a little), the one i would recomend they havent made for some time, but you could probably find it if you look hard enough, (now only if price is no object) a shimono triton mark 2, i've got one and it fishes and casts very well, now if price is an object, that penn squall is $150