Suggestions on good reliable muskie reel under $80

I need to buy new muskie reel. High speed reel (no Abu Garcia) they seem to fall apart awfully fast on me. Any suggestions on a reliable high speed reel?

“IF” you maintain your Garcia’s with oil and keep them clean, they will last a long time. I got C3s completing 8 seasons, going into their ninth. While they are a little “loose”, they are still strong and holding up well.

Other than that, I really can’t don’t know who else for that price range.

You could check out Browning’s Six Rivers Casting reel.
Browning

If you absolutely don’t want an Abu, Okuma makes a few nice reels for a little more than that price range. I think the Enduron is one of the models.

Thanks, I go through 2 Garcias C4/ year, sometimes 3. I oil them regularly. I think i will try the Corsair, only i think $55 and its alot cheaper than $90 like the C4 if i have to replace it.

What the heck are ya doing to those poor reels?

If you are loosing a reel before it is even 1 year old, it is under warranty.
This is direct from ABU Garcia’s website:

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Abu Garcia warrants to the original purchaser that its tackle products are free from defects in materials or workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase. If a product proves defective in some way, return it prepaid and with proof of the date of purchase, to:

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Alot of burning baits. The cowgirl does a number on them as well. Yes, they have been good about the warranty. You have to pay for shipping and it takes quit awhile to get them back. Any more suggestions for RELIABILITY?

Shimano Corvalus or Corsair

garcia makes a pretty tough reel.How in the heck do you wreck one in less than a year?

I’ve stripped a Penn 209 after a few years of salmon taking 200 yard runs but you either are truly casting 10,000 times a summer or must be launching plugs out of a spud gun.

Wow.

Slow, I think it’s time you step to the Calcutta. If you are abusing your Abu’s at this rate, you need to go for the best.

Just some thing to think about!

High speed reels tend to wear out faster than a lower gear ratio reels!

try and buy a lower gear ratio reel(not the lowest gear ratio but something around 5/1 stay away from anything higer) with a bigger spool! fill the spool all the way full of line and you will find they give you better leverage on your baits and fish! they last longer and with the bigger spools they take in line faster than smaller spools! if they are full of line!

just some thing to think about!

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Just some thing to think about!

High speed reels tend to wear out faster than a lower gear ratio reels!

try and buy a lower gear ratio reel(not the lowest gear ratio but something around 5/1 stay away from anything higer) with a bigger spool! fill the spool all the way full of line and you will find they give you better leverage on your baits and fish! they last longer and with the bigger spools they take in line faster than smaller spools! if they are full of line!

just some thing to think about!

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Excellent post! You aren’t going to pull roots of a tree up with your truck in a normal gear. You also aren’t going to be able to pull heavier baits with the gear ratio of a Ford Escort.

I started with Abu’s and can buy them cheap but personaly I don’t care for them. I know many use and love them but I prefer my Shimanos for weight and castability. I’ll 2nd the Calcutta sounds like you need bullet proof but you wont get one for anywhere close to $80

I know a couple die hard musky guys who use garcia 7000’s. Slower gear ratio, but as stated earlier, the large spool makes up for it. Very tough gears… but you might fix the pawl(level wind) once in a while.

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Slow, I think it’s time you step to the Calcutta. If you are abusing your Abu’s at this rate, you need to go for the best.

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I think Kooty is correct I spend a little time fishing muskies during the summer, I also go through about 2 Abu’s per year. We also have 5 Calcutta’s and those things are worth every single penny you pay for them. Lets face it, if you are into this sport for the long run, look at it as an investment. For now

I really appreciate all the helpful info. It seems to be a big problem w/ the reels. I will try the Shimano Corsair, i believe, its $75. I have to try something else. I will try a lower gear ration too and spool it up good. Any other suggestions?

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I really appreciate all the helpful info. It seems to be a big problem w/ the reels. I will try the Shimano Corsair, i believe, its $75. I have to try something else. I will try a lower gear ration too and spool it up good. Any other suggestions?

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I would not go with this reel, they are junk in my honest opinion. This reel will not last. I have one of these and I hate it. Just being truthfull with ya Trust me, spend the extra money and say goodbye to the junk

My son has had good luck with these

I would also say spend the extra money now! you know your going to end up doing it any way! so save the $75 your about to spend on a reel that just wont last! put that towards one that will! it will save you cash in the long run!

Bob;
Do you use those in the prop wash being it is a shorter stick?

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Bob;
Do you use those in the prop wash being it is a shorter stick?

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Mostly just for jerkbaits and bulldawgs

If i go with a Calcutta, which model would anyone recommend? RELIABILTY. And how much are they appox.? Thanks!

The Calcutta B series will typically run $180.00+ at the retailers that carry them. I’m guessing a 250 to 400 model for your muskie needs, depending on line/spooling capacity choices you make.

Two reels @ $75.ea/ year. For an extra $30.00 or so, you’ll have one that lasts longer. In 2 years time, you’ll have spent $300.00 on the Abu’s so this is good economic advise.

Your gonna want the 400 series

Alright just ask for “Calcutta B series 400 model”?? Any suggestions on where to buy it from in the Minneapolis area?

Trails End in Fridley, ask for Denny or Tim. 763-784-9080-

Well you guys changed my mind. I am going with the consensus about a Calcutta. I will give the number you gave me a call. I only live a few miles from Fridley. I hope this lasts at least one full year or i would be happy with 1 and a half seasons as well. What gear ration options are there if any? What would you recommend?

We are on about 6-7 seasons on our Calcutta’s and only one needs some repair. The nice thing about these, is that if something fails on them it typically is the worm or pawl(sp) gear. Cost to fix is under $10.00. You will not be unhappy if you go with the Calcutta, worth every penny. If you have reels that need repair, Trails End does a great job on them, and it is cheap to have them fixed, use for back up reels when needed in a pinch. Gear ratio on the ones we have is 5 to 1 I believe

That sounds great. Much appreciated. See if you can help me w/ the post i just put up about wisc. opener. I cant decide where to go. The post i put up about LCO does not look promising (thats what I thought) . I am looking for a big fish lake for north. wisc. opener. Not Green Bay, something a little closer from the metro?

Cedar Lake in St. Croix County has been boasting 50″+ specimans. The water has a high algae layer but below it lurk some real trophies! Lures in the “Hot Tiger” pattern were productive last year. The lake is within 1 hour of St. Paul.

Another option a little further out is Bone Lake in Polk County. High numbers of specimans with some peaking at or slightly above the 50″ mark.

Outside of the St. Croix River, which can be tough, these are the nearest big fish producers.