Low profile musky reel

I’m looking for a low profile musky reel. Price rang is $120 or lower I would like a power handle if possible…….thanks ????

I’ve just gotten into the game in the last year and I think you might have some trouble finding a good, durable lo-pro reel that inexpensively.

The one that pops into my head right away is the Shimano Curado. I think they were kinda one of the first musky-durable lo-pro reels. Cabelas had them on sale this spring for something like 140, which I just about jumped on but had my heart set on a Diawa Lexa. I know it’s not under $120 but it’s close. Maybe scouring the internet you could find something in that price range.

An alternative if you’re not glued to the low profile design is a Shimano Cardiff. I have one as a backup and ended up throwing Double 8s with it one day last year and caught a 46″ on it. I actually really enjoy using that reel.

And I’m still learning at this musky gear game so take everything with a grain of salt but I spent hours and hours researching so I didn’t spend carelessly. People seem to trust the Abu Garcia 6600 c4 enough that I bought one just to have available. $120 and pretty darn durable reel from everything I’ve read.

Good luck shopping but be careful, it’s horribly addicting

I used the Okuma Komodo SS 364P and 463P a lot last year and really liked them. Like Paul said, it will be difficult to find a quality low profile reel for under $120. I believe the Komodo SS reels are around $200

I have a Cardiff and Corvallis (spelling?)

I work both reels very hard reeling in fish. I’ve never used them casting for musky but I know the previous owner did use them for smaller musky baits.

Good reels, but may not last long repetitively casting as the other guys alluded to. I like my revo Toro winches for the difficult retrieves.

I don’t fish ski much at all but do know how to work the snot out of reels so take my advice for the little it is worth in regards to casting…I did assume I would have burnt these two reels up by now though, so that is saying something for the Corvallis & cardiff

You might be able to get an Abu MaxToro for that price or at least close. I’ve never used one but it’s the cheapest musky sized low pro I know of.

I was just in the same boat. Picked up a Okuma Citrix with a power handle for 130 shipped. Has a bait clicker, too, which I find nice when using it for flathead fishing. I would recommend checking out Amazon and seeing if they have more for sale. The drag is amazing as well. I caught a 30 pound flathead with mine and it horsed it in no problem in deep, heavy current.

FWIW – I’m brand new to lo pro reels and really big baits. To the OP, I didn’t find anything brand new around that price point. Sorry.

Bought a Lexa 400 6.2:1 over the winter after research and a convincing sales dude. Last week fishing pike I gave it a try. Going back to Cabela’s tonight on a warranty issue.

Baits: 3/4 oz spinnerbait, 1oz spoons, 1.5oz Mepps musky killer, 2oz double-8 blades.

Pros: very smooth casting, super long paddle handle made for easy retrieves and speed changes.

Cons: Randomly the thumb bar would stick down after the case. Basically turn the handle and the spool would not engage. Workaround was to manually snap it up but shouldn’t have to do this.

Don’t know if I’ll roll the dice on another Lexa or move to a different brand.

The Shimano Curado 300 is the gold standard for small low-profile reels that are muskie-capable. Great for just about everything short of pounders and double-10s. They’re hard to find since they got discounted and replaced by the Tranx 300/400…but either try to stretch your budget if you can find one new somewhere, or look for a used one in good shape. You won’t regret it.

I bought a okuma citrix two summers ago and it only made it through one weekend of musky fishing. It was the larger size 350? I believe. I decided to go with the Abu revo toro nacl after the citrix and it has held up without and down time since. Your best bet would be to find a quality reel used and leave some money set aside to have it gone through.

I actually have to +1 the NaCl. Great reel. I accidentally bought the 50 size instead of 60 but gave it a shot anyway and it’s been great. Same power and strength just smaller chassis with less line capacity. If you need more than 150yds of powerpro anyway you need a bigger boat!