I have been thinking of purchasing a conventional reel for bigger game. I have a spinning reel setup but want another option for some heavier fishing. Something I can use for big reds in the surf, the occasional offshore outing for kings, Spanish, mahi, and for the river targeting big cats. My two choices are narrowed down to the abu Garcia 7000 and the shimano charter special. I am leaning towards the shimano because it has the level winding as well as the lever drag (seems hard to find a reel with both). The abu seems to look more beefy, but the shimano hs much more drag. Any input would be greatly appreciated since I am new to this kind of gear.
Since you said it would be used in the surf I would stay away from a levelwind…sand does not play nice with level winds.
The Abu 7000 is a great reel. The big advantage is that it is also very good for casting. Another option is the Penn GS or now known as the Squall. It is a very good reel with a higher speed retrieve and also cast well. Both have more than enough drag to do what you are suggesting.
Iain Pelto
Sea Hunt Triton 160 w/ 90 ETEC “JB3”
Native Manta Ray 14
Have you thought about just a larger spinning set up? I know I’m looking at a Conflict 8000 for pretty much the same reasons… Just a thought.
j
17 Malibu CC
88 'rude
I have 2 charter specials - they are bullet proof and can handle any fish the TLD15 can. They are just about the cheapest lever drag/level wind reels that you can find - and they are well built. Mine have stripers over 50#, 35# reds, Cobia, kings and a 5’+ cuda, countless sharks and other big garbage… Both are going on 10+ years old, one required a $20 rebuild last year.
But they cast like garbage. To get max drag, you wont have full freespool - a problem with some lever drags. And the sand would cause problems with the level wind.
I prefer that style of reel for bottom fishing or live lining.
And I agree with north chuck, new spinning reels have come a long way - and the prices have come down. Check out the battle 6000-8000 series, or the Penn Spinfishers (waterproof for surf fishing). The battle 6000 has the same power/drag as the charter special, but holds more line & casts 10x better.
Penn 320 GTI is another option but has a star drag with the level wind. After a few years all of my level winds were taken off due to them getting fouled up and causing the reel to not work. I have been using the TLD 15’s for the past 3 years now and like them a lot. Not sure how they would hold up with Surf Fishing though. The Penns are also fairly inexpensive.
Charleston Fishing’s most hated guide!