Your Favorite Lure

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Fire Ball

Your Favorite Lure

Post by Fire Ball »

Originally Posted By: Cam CorreaOriginally Posted By: Fire BallOriginally Posted By: Cam CorreaWhat do you guys think of those Huddlestons Butch brown is always advertising?
The look pretty good?

But to be honest I've just got back into fishing after about a 25 year break & i'm just like a kid learning to fish again for the 1st time.



Well he catches those huge bass on them, right? I really want to get a Huddleston, but my current rod is under-powered for bigger swimbaits and I only have 12 lb test on my baitcaster, which is pretty light for swimbaits.

Cant you just use a smaller lure when you have lighter equipment?
I was thinking about getting something like a 3" one..
I would at least go with the 4.5" if you want a shad imitator and then 6" if you want a trout imitator. I wouldn't go with anything small than that. You should probably be able to use the 4.5" shad, but I don't know if you have the gear for the 6" trout. I can probably BARELY use the weedless 6" trout, but I'm really pushing it with only 12 lb test on my baitcaster.
Roboworm99
Posts: 446
Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2007 6:30 pm

Your Favorite Lure

Post by Roboworm99 »

how many yards of 12# does your reel hold
**Ray Charpentier**
Fire Ball

Your Favorite Lure

Post by Fire Ball »

Originally Posted By: Roboworm99how many yards of 12# does your reel hold
160 yards. Would I be able to hold enough of a heavier line that I would use for swimbaits?
ukey28
Posts: 947
Joined: Thu Jul 12, 2001 4:00 pm

Your Favorite Lure

Post by ukey28 »

The world record bass couldn't pull off 50 yards of line without having a heart attack. They are not built for that. You could go to 17# or 20# and still have enough line to fight a big largemouth. You will sacrifice casting distance though as the spool diameter will decrease rather quickly as the line goes out increasing drag on the cast. Go with a wide spool reel and you can go up in line weight and still cast sufficiently. Pick up a used ABU 6500c and up grade the bearings, you'll do fine.
Frank : Bassin' USA Prostaff : New York
Fire Ball

Your Favorite Lure

Post by Fire Ball »

Originally Posted By: ukey28The world record bass couldn't pull off 50 yards of line without having a heart attack. They are not built for that. You could go to 17# or 20# and still have enough line to fight a big largemouth. You will sacrifice casting distance though as the spool diameter will decrease rather quickly as the line goes out increasing drag on the cast. Go with a wide spool reel and you can go up in line weight and still cast sufficiently. Pick up a used ABU 6500c and up grade the bearings, you'll do fine.
I was thinking about getting another rod and reel for not too much money for bigger swimbaits. I wouldn't even attempt to upgrade the bearings though...

Would this be an ok choice? I can get it pretty cheap at Walmart.
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/store ... 00_100-1-1
ukey28
Posts: 947
Joined: Thu Jul 12, 2001 4:00 pm

Your Favorite Lure

Post by ukey28 »

That particular model ABU has some serious issues. Look for a used 6500c3 on Craigslist or ebay, or go to www.ffo-tackle.com and get a reconditioned one. Even a 5600c wide spool would work. I buy lots of used reels and find out that most just need a good cleaning. I'm not big on cosmetics, if a reel has some wear, so what.
Frank : Bassin' USA Prostaff : New York
Crestliner

Your Favorite Lure

Post by Crestliner »

Another vote here for the 6500C. Great reel. Of course, I'm a bit biased as I have 5 ABUs! >/grin.gif" alt="grin" title="grin" height="15" width="15" />

ukey28 - where do you get your replacement bearings from?
ukey28
Posts: 947
Joined: Thu Jul 12, 2001 4:00 pm

Your Favorite Lure

Post by ukey28 »

First go to MIke's Reel repair and check through the schematics and find the exact model ABU you have. There are a lot of versions of the reels. I like the Ambassadeurs from the mid to late 70's, they have a serial number on the foot starting out with 74 - 78 or 9. Use the serial number when perusing the schematics.

http://www.mikesreelrepair.com/

Then check for the bearing size. They have three numbers. for an old 5500c they are 3-10-4, the numbers are the size of the shaft hole, width and diameter of the bearing. I may be off in the sequence. Once you find the size you can order from Mike's, ebay, or a local vendor. Use the schematic to help when replacing the bearings. I use ABEC 5 bearings as anything higher to me is overkill and just for bragging rights or for competition distance casting.
Things to remember when buying a used reel. Try to find one with Fresh water use only. If you aren't used to taking casting reels down and putting them back together, it's best to send them out to a pro. For ABU's, Coast Tackle Repair in Mississippi is very good, if it's distance you want, Tony can do incredible things with Ambassadeurs. He can add another bearing to the Level wind, Polish shafts, even add magnetic braking systems. It costs though as it takes time. But if I just bought one I'd send it there for a cleaning and assessment, and then talk to him about upgrades.

While we are on it. There are some other reels I like for swimbaits. The older Shimano Calcutta 400's. You may find them easier to locate. A nice round body reel. They are popular with the musky guys in the midwest and coastal fishermen too, but look inland first. I would immediately send it to one of two places for assesment and repair.

http://www.lakeforktacklerepair.com/
or
http://www.dominiontackle.com/

Connie at Lake Fork and Jim at Dominion are straight shooters about the condition of the reel and are WELL known for their service. They are the Shimano specialists.
Good luck with your search.
Frank
Frank : Bassin' USA Prostaff : New York
Fish-N-Fool

Your Favorite Lure

Post by Fish-N-Fool »

Here is my list of favorite baits;

1. Soft plastics
Topping the list and the bait I get about 85% of my fish on is Fish-N-Fool Lures 6in. Sink-N-Fool bait in almost any color, but the watermelon green with the red flake is my favorite. This is the ultimate Fish on the Fall bait. I have caught almost every kind of fish that swims around here on one of these over the years.

2. Hard bait
The 2 1/2in. medium diver Rebel Craw crank bait in a couple colors, Brown back with orange bell and green back with orange belly. I have got all kinds of fish on these from L.M. and S.M. Bass, huge Perch, Crappies, and Pike, to 4 different kinds of trout.

3. Swimbaits
Hard;
By far and way my favorite hard swimbait is the River 2 Sea S-Waver. I love the 168mm for Monster Bass and Pike as well as I got my first ever Tiger muskie on one this year. I also fish the 120mm version and do well for L.M. and S.M. Bass as well as Pike. My favorite colors are the baby Bass, Fire tiger, and a Perch pattern I painted up myself.

Soft;
I love the Basstrix soft swimbaits. In 5" or 6" in many colors as well by I like the Lennier herring the best.
kspringer

Your Favorite Lure

Post by kspringer »

Jig, Jig, Jig, Jig, Jig, Jig and did I mention a Jig!!!! 1/2 ounce Jewell Jig with skirt color I make, grn pumpkin, pumpkin and a touch of Chartruese topped off with a Big Bite Yo Daddy in Grn Pumpkin!!!
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