HT Enterprises baitcasters?

Hi guys. I got the new Catfish Connection catalog today and was looking at the HT Enterprises ‘Max Force’ reels. Has anyone ever seen or used one? At half the price of another 6500, maybe worth a shot?

Someone posted about them in the last couple years.

I recall they were made in China, but that’s about it. Might have been something (good or bad) about the drag too.

I don’t have time for a search right now…but it’s in here.

This is just my 2 cents but I think fishing is much more enjoyable with a nice reel. Especially with big fish like cats a smooth drag is must for me. Personally I think the 6500 c3s and c4s are kinda junk as well. Never had one take the abuse from flats and sturgeon for more then a couple years. However I do stand by the quality of the record series quality. Been beaten on mine for years and there still smooth as butter.
In the long run it pays to buy quality. You may pay double the price but it probably would last you years longer. Kind of a pay more now and pay less later kind of deal.

Ok I’ll quit rambling on now lol

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Someone posted about them in the last couple years.

I recall they were made in China, but that’s about it. Might have been something (good or bad) about the drag too.

I don’t have time for a search right now…but it’s in here.

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I think those were the Ming Yang reels, but I could be wrong.

KATmando – I agree with you about buying quality, but thought they looked interesting. After looking at these reels a bit closes, it appears that the ‘803’ is a monster and weighs almost 2lbs.

You are correct Doug. Wrong reel.

I fully agree with Katmando, but for an extra rod to take a friend fishing, I have no problem saving a couple of bucks on a set up that may not see the water too much.

Heck, the last few years all my stuff could meet this requirement

Not sure on these reels.

As far as the ming yangs. I have heard good and bad about these reels. Some people have gotten a year or two out of them, others have gotten through one fish with them.

I use to run all abu’s, but I started purchasing shimano’s now. I usually run a abu 7000i but now i found a pretty close equivalent in a shimano reel for a lot less $$$

I agree with others you get what you pay for. so buy a nice reel that will last a few years

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I use to run all abu’s, but I started purchasing shimano’s now. I usually run a abu 7000i but now i found a pretty close equivalent in a shimano reel for a lot less $$$

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Peaking my curiosity.

What’s Shimano’s counter part to the 7000’s and the 6500’s.

I’ve had excellent luck with those two models.

I have 6 7000’s with one being repaired a couple years ago. That little level wind part wore out.

Five 6500’s with one going to ‘ell on a sturgeon a few years back. Both were repaired inexpensively.

My reels get a pretty good work out over a years time.

So whatcha using Mr. Clicker?

I use the Shimano Cardiff. And it looks like it just came down in price too! I will say it doesn’t have an adjustable clicker which I wasn’t to happy about. However with a adjustment of my drag I can make my clicker stay put. By far the smoothest reel I have ever owned.

Cardiff Specs (119$) + Tax

Line Retrieve Per Crank (in.)
22″

Power Pro Line Capacity (# Test/Yards)
50/305,65/180,80/160

Max Drag (lbs.)
11

Ball Bearings
4

Roller Bearings
1

Gear Ratio
5.2:1

Weight (oz)
11.9

7000i Specs (150$) + Tax

Line Retrieve Per Crank (in.)
22″

Power Pro Line Capacity (# Test/Yards)
30 lbs. / 630 yds.

Max Drag (lbs.)
15

Ball Bearings
3
Roller Bearings
N/A on Website

Gear Ratio
4.1:1

Weight (oz)
21.0

I don’t use 6500’s so I can’t compare.

Clicker,

Can you elaborate on “need to adjust the drag to get the clicker to stay”.

One of the things I like about the 7000 is it has a heavier clicker than any of the other reels I use. I don’t have to continually monitor and change stuff to keep an aggressive bully in place.

Half the weight caught my eye!

How many years have you used them?

How can the Shamino have 5.2:1 and the ABU have 4.1:1 and they both bring in 22″ of line per turn?

Wondering about the drag too. Smooth? I have my drags cinched down. With less drag lbs on the Shamino, how does that hold up to larger fish? In your opinion.

Sorry I meant the break system not the drag…

I do like the abu clickers as well as how loud they are, but they ALL sound the same, and a majority of people that i fish with have Abu’s. Every time there is a run, we all look at our rods. Having my shimano eliminates that all together for me. I know my clicker sound and don’t budge a muscle unless its my clicker!

My explanation of the 22″ is the cardiff is a smaller size spool. It probably reels in just as much line faster, then the larger spool slower abu. So it equals out to be the same.

I have not gotten many fish on this reel. Most of my season was covered with water and no shore spots to use. I did catch several channels and flats, but they were all under 10lbs so no big fish on this reel.

I have been playing with the drag, I typically do not cinch my drag down because I have pulled hooks out of too many fish that way. I always let them play the drag.

Wait – how is this reel signifigantly cheaper than a 6500?

You have it listed at $119. I can get an Abu 6500 for under 100.00 just about anywhere..

I think you are confused. I was comparing this to a 7000i that comes in at 150 bucks at the cheapest. sorry for the confusion. Things got a bit off topic about reels.

Since we’re completely off track from the original post.

Could you expand on the clicker and not being adjustable?

My clickers are on as a safety back up. Most of the time the strike of a flat reverberates through the boat…but there’s that once in a while a sneaky one sucks in the bait an slowly swims away with it.

Personally, I would be using a 6500 for flats but since the clicker tension is so light, a 6 in bully will continually set off the clicker. On a 7000, unless we had the current like last year, if the clicker sounded, there was a fish at the other end…or a log. LOL!

I can certainly elaborate!

You posted a photo recently of your rods you had sanded and sealed with U-40 Cork seal. I noticed three of them there reels were Abu 7000i C3’s.

As you probably know there is a bushing that if you tighten it down, it slows the reel spool so you can avoid rats nests while casting. Well once you dial that in you can cast away with out having to worry to much about a rats nest.

on the opposite side of the reel is another bushing you can tighten down which puts pressure on your free spool. So for instance, if you are in heavy current and have a 10″ bully pulling clicker you can simply tighten down that bushing and it will make it harder for the bully to pull clicker.

As for the shimano not being able to do that?? Yup it doesn’t have a adjustable clicker. So a bigger bully will pull clicker just like a 6500 series reel will. You can however adjust the one used for casting and it will help with the problem.

I like having a setting for casting, and one for clicker.

Make sense??? I figured you know about the adjustable clicker?? unless you are just pullin my leg???