Best quality closed face reel for ultra-light fishing?

[rardoin]

My father has been looking to buy a high quality closed face reel for bream/sacalait using 4lb+- test. Which manufacturer makes the best, most durable reel in this size/configuration regardless of cost?

[saute86]

99% of the new spin casts are junk. Stay away from the new zebco 33's and the Abu Garcia Abumatics. The line pick ups wear out quick. I use spin casts for sacalait fishing and these don't last a month. The best are the old metal 33's and the Johnson Century. I have 2 33's that are about 20 years old and still work fine. The old 33s will wear a grove were the line meets the line catch pin. I just file it smooth when they start hanging up. I have heard good things about the new Bass Pro extreme. Claims it can cast braid. Any spin cast under $40 won't last long. Make sure you buy one with stainless ball bearings and an oscillating spool.

[rardoin]

Thanks Saute...I feel like he is for a unicorn. I don't think high quality ultralight spincasts exist but I was hoping that I was wrong. Have you any experience with the Daiwa Silvercast reel....seems like it may be the best of the worst so to speak. I would imagine the best thing is for me to buy several of the model I settle on so he can have back ups when they fail. I was hoping at least one manufacturer would make one that was not, for all practical purposes, disposable.

[lil bubba]

From what I recall Pflueger made one with rolling pickup pins supposedly to reduce line twist and wear....When I was coming up abu matic 170 and 190's were the bee's knees so to speak....I have seen them for sale on e/bay for not that much ...I have 2 like new saving for my grandsons...Use to use one in salt water when I was a kid only thing is the originals are quality as far as spincast goes but on the heavy side...

[saute86]

I have read nothing but complaints on the new Diawa silver and gold spin casts and I have 2 271 abumatics. The new Abumatics don't last the year for me. The line pick up wear out and the spool starts wobbling. But to be honest I used them a lot. I bet they boated close to 500 fish and quite a few gars and choupique. I have read about the pflueger and that is what most the ones complaining switched to. Next time I see one I will buy one to try. After I went thru 4 abumatics I switched to a Mitchel and Diawa ultra lite spinning reels on 6ft lite action rods when casting and a JD Courtney Special 9ft jigging pole in tight cover and during the spawn in the stumps. During the summer when I use shiners I use a 12ft rod with an ultra light spinning reel. The 12ft rod is nice I can drop a cork at 20ft on a dime with out casting. It is like using a 12ft cane pole with the ability to under cast it farther if needed.

[Armand16]

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1463795002.781774.jpg

Pflueger. I fought that battle again this year and went back to pfluegar. The ones I had lasted 3 years. Tried Diawa gold earlier this year and I wasn't impressed.


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[I make oil]

I have the basspro brand one and have it spooled with 12# power pro. Have fishes it about 15 different trips this year. 3 or 4 trips with mono the rest with braid. I really like it. For no more than I paid it's an excellent reel. I think I might have paid more to re-spool it than I did for the reel! The mono that came on it sucked. Much better with good line. I just hope the braid doesn't tear it up. If it starts to mess up I'll buy another and just put the braid off this reel on it.

[I make oil]

Just a FYI this small braid is a PITA to tie a knot in.

[saute86]

I found if I wet the line before I cinch it and burn the end it ties and holds better.

[I make oil]

I always wet it but I've never burned the end. I'll have to try that. What I usually do is leave a long tag and clip it short after I cinch the knot. That way I have some leeway in case I get slippage while cinching it and it's easier to pull the knot tight with the longer tag. I don't have problems with 20/30 pound braid but this 12# stuff is so small it's a different story. On the plus side it cast for miles.

[saute86]

The burnt end stops it from pulling through if it slips. Yes I have a few ultra light spinning reels I can almost cast all the line off them with a road runner.

[rardoin]

On the Pfleuger, can you stop the line by pulling the lever again during a cast? My father wanted the spincast (with the button) because he could stop the line payout by pressing the button again while casting...if it appeared he had thrown too long and was going to end up in brush or such.

[I make oil]

Yes

[rardoin]

Thanks to everyone...I have some good info to go with. While I am at it, any good rod recommendations for casting tube jigs for sacs and bream? Money not a concern.

[I make oil]

I'm not to big on high dollar reels for ultra light. I just fish whatever feels good. I have all kinds. Berkely, Diawa, BassPro brand. I do dislike ugly sticks though. Just too whippy for me. Also check out this.

http://www.thebaitpump.com/

[saute86]

If you go to CVS and ask for an infant syringe for giving oral liquid medicine they will give you a handful for free. Fill the tube with nibbles and it will fill tube jigs the same way and its free.

[captainpirate]

Look into the zebco omega 2 it is a stainless steel closed face reel that holds up really well even in salt water but it is a little expensive about 65$ i got one at Lake Charles Tackle

[jkcckc2002]

Zebco omega's or the delta model. I have a omega and my dad has the delta. The are way better than the 33's. But cost alot more.

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[iron man]

I actually bought the shakespear cirrus about 8 years agao, I've gone through 3 in 8 years, one fell in the water, another I gave to my cpusins little boy to use and he still uses it. The other, I take anytime I go fishing. These rods and reels are for light duty, ie; sacalit and bream. I reeled in 4 18"+ reds on it, countless bass and a ton a sacalit (them yankees call em crappie and bream=panfish in Va) after buying #2 and #3 together. Still haning in there. Not sure how the quality is now but mine have lasted a while and work great when spooled with 6-8lb test line.

[jchief]

What reels do you use for slip corks?