What Reel

[Westie]

Elton - I've got Penn 525 Mag and Abu Mag Elite (tackle tart version of Mag Elite). As you live 10 yards away, you're more than welcome to try them to see which you prefer.

[Elton]

Elton - I've got Penn 525 Mag and Abu Mag Elite (tackle tart version of Mag Elite). As you live 10 yards away, you're more than welcome to try them to see which you prefer.

 

Cheers. That would be handy.

 

Do you prefer one of them over the other?

[Norm B]

525 mag. distance with power to haul in weed and speed to get over snags now got 5. perfect for my beaches in my opinion. 6500 casts beautifully but is s bit too lightweight at times, when there's weed, i regret bringing it. got a slosh x 30 for special use, casts surprisingly well, but too big and not enough distance for general use.

I've just reviewed the Daiwa 7HT Turbo, better, beefier and smoother than the 7HT, could be a good compromise reel. You'll never find one reel to do everything, or rod for that matter.

[Elton]

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I've just reviewed the Daiwa 7HT Turbo, better, beefier and smoother than the 7HT, could be a good compromise reel. You'll never find one reel to do everything, or rod for that matter.

 

I've got the 6000's and 7000's, Norm, so looking to fill the gap in between.

 

The beaches around here aren't particularly hard work.

 

Cheers for all the replies so far - it's interesting to see how each has their favourite.

[Steve Coppolo]

I'd go for an Abu 6500 Mag elite. For the type of fishing you'll be doing you can't beat them. Long, smooth and easy casting. My Abu's have stood up very well to years of abuse.

 

I have seen the Penn 525 Mag and they do look well built, but I've heard people say that they can be a bugger to set up for distance casting and they are also hard to put back together if you take them apart for cleaning.

 

The Daiwa 7HT has a very good name although I've never used one. Most of the ones I've seen being used look well battered, so I'm not sure how tough they are. They certainly cast well though and are user friendly.

[Norm B]

I'd go for an Abu 6500 Mag elite. For the type of fishing you'll be doing you can't beat them. Long, smooth and easy casting. My Abu's have stood up very well to years of abuse.

 

I have seen the Penn 525 Mag and they do look well built, but I've heard people say that they can be a bugger to set up for distance casting and they are also hard to put back together if you take them apart for cleaning.

 

The Daiwa 7HT has a very good name although I've never used one. Most of the ones I've seen being used look well battered, so I'm not sure how tough they are. They certainly cast well though and are user friendly.

I've had 2 Daiwa 7HT's since they came out, the finish does go 'tatty' very quickly but the insides last forever. The new Turbo model is much the same as the old version but with better corrosion resistant bearings, beefier gears and the finish looks better, so reliable, longer casting and long lasting with a bit more 'meat'.

[DoubleShotDamo]

I have seen the Penn 525 Mag and they do look well built, but I've heard people say that they can be a bugger to set up for distance casting and they are also hard to put back together if you take them apart for cleaning.

Main fault with the 525 mag are the people operating them! Fill the spool to 5mm below the lip and stick some red RF in the bearings. I have found that to be best set up for the beach.

 

As for dismantling and re-assembling, they are as easy, if not easier, as any other reel.

[zziplexboy]

Main fault with the 525 mag are the people operating them! Fill the spool to 5mm below the lip and stick some red RF in the bearings. I have found that to be best set up for the beach.

 

I agree with that..difficult reel to control...if having problems use a bit of engine oil is what I have found most effective. I whack the mags on half way to start the cast and then back off once the main thrust is over

Neil Mckellow has a good article on these on his web site

[Westie]

For me - Penn 525 all the way. I've not had any problems with them at all - and Elton - you've seen my agricultural casting style.

[Jim Roper]

Penn 535 and 555.

 

They could do with bigger brake pads when the spool is full, though.