Who uses a BaitCaster ?

[LakeConjolaFish]

Anyone use a Baitcaster, if so what ?

[rigzz]

Hi,
I've recently gone to an eggbeater due to arthritis in my hands making rod/reel control difficult. All my bream spinning previously was done with small ABU baitcastersthough. Favourites were/are the 1500C, 2500C, Pro Max 1600 (no longer in production) and Morrum 1600. They are all beautiful reels and I still take them for a run occasionally. It is critical to use a suitable rod to get the best out of them though.
Cheers,
Rigzz

[Luddo]

Hi Jim,

I bought a Shimano Ultra Light Series over ten years ago and is still going strong today although I prefer to use threadlines for the light SP stuff. My model of Shimano was probably the best available back in those days but no doubt has been superseeded by new technology but just goes to show it is worthwhile paying that little bit extra for quality.

[LakeConjolaFish]

Thanks guys, the reason I asked is that you just don't see that many people using them, I have three, a Shimano Cronarch and two different models out of the Bantam series one 20 years old and the other 10 years old and all still going great.
I was able to get parts for the 20 yo Bantam not that long ago, so theres another story about buying quality.

I suppose egg beaters are easier to master, so thats what the majority of anglers go for.

[rigzz]

Hi,
Yep, there's no doubt it pays to buy quality. My oldest 2500C is nearly 15 years old and still works beautifully. I also still use a 5500C ( 25 years old), a 7000 (28 years old) and a Penn 940 Levelmatic (26 years old). Parts are still available for all these and they come up as good as new after a rebuild. They've got no bells or whistles, just good engineering and solid materials. They were built for fishing, not for a fashion parade.
Cheers,
Rigzz

[Ol' slab sides]

Hi guys

I've also got a soft spot for ABU baitcasters, my fav is my 2500c (now 10-12yrs), it casts beautifully.
I run it on an uglystik for that complete old school experience, the outfit's taken everything from bream to barra...

[zimeric]

Ive got a shimano calcutta 1000 fitted to a shimano Compre 6'6" casting rod which i use for larger sp's and stick baits and a few of the larger HB's like R2S shed's etc. it has so much more control in the cast and is dead accurate for close up fishing snags and things. Although its not ideal for most other lighter lures as the centrifuge action it relies on is not powerful enough to get the lures out very far at all.

it makes such a difference with 6 BB's and infinite anti reverse which the old reels don't have. to their credit though shimano bantam baitcasters from around 10-20 years ago just keep on going and going!

[rigzz]

Slabs,
Yes, I think the old Uglys are underrated. I still occasionally run some of my ABUs on a UB510 Ugly blank I built up in the mid 80s. Casts down to 3gm with a 2500 and can really pull the kinks out of 3-4kg line. It's physically heavy and relatively insensitive but is a brilliant combination of light lure casting ability and pure fighting power. Viva la Ugly
Cheers,
Rigzz

[bluefin]

Jim,

I have a bantum 1000 sg which has caught thousands of fish and is still as good as new! It is used with 2 kg line with bait and lures for everything, Bream,Bass/EP'S Tailor, Salmon,Whiting, Drummer, Groper, Small Kings. But my favorite recently has been Hairtail! Would be over 20 years old!



Howard!

[monksie]

My bro does.

i contribute it to his Darwin days - barra fishing.

i'm peeded off though, that he can cast just as far as my little 'baby' Mitchell threadline.

[Ol' slab sides]

Rigzz

6 BB reel & a graphite rod is much lighter, responsive & perhaps easier to use, but give me my 2500 & "Lil' Ugly" any day...