What casting reel to get?

[C-Hawk18]

I just picked up a 7' Musky rod to use for Tog (never been but I'm going this year) and also for livelining stripers.
Been looking all over the web, but find few reels with many reviews.
I want to pick up something used under $100.
Want to stay with a levelwind.

Looking at Penn 965 (or 975), Saltist 20levelwnd, Tica Gemini 300, Abu 7000, Calcutta 400 (or 700) - most of these I see for sale around $100-$170

Anyone have comments on the above? or any others I should look at? Anybody selling?

[rich daiker]

Hey Rob,
I use the 967 & 975 and love them.I have used the for everything from flounder to trolling for rock off the beach and have NEVER had a problem with them...I also have 2 of the Calcutta 700 and they are OK as well, but not as bullet proof as the Penn.....check E-Bay for deals of used reels.

[C-Hawk18]

Thanks Rich - I was hoping you would chime in. I found a New 965 for $170, but may be able to get it down just a tad more.

Anybody else?

[rich daiker]

A 956 for $170 is pretty good....Spool it w/ 50lb PP braid and have at it!!!!!

[C-Hawk18]

Well I found a deal in this Saltist20H LW already loaded with braid shipped to my door for $110 so I couldn't pass it up. Looks to be right between the 965 and 975 in size. And feels really solid.
Now I'll I have to do is find a day to get down there.
Rich - When do the tog start inside the inlet? BackBay? would like to also try for some flatties during the trip.

[rich daiker]

Never used a Saltist, but I'm sure it will do the trick. The tog will be in any day now and flounder season opens April 17th with a 19'' size limit. Let me know when you are down and I'll try to hook you up.

[C-Hawk18]

Never used a Saltist, but I'm sure it will do the trick. The tog will be in any day now and flounder season opens April 17th with a 19'' size limit. Let me know when you are down and I'll try to hook you up.

Will do !

[wicomicofishaholic]

Tog are in now. I caught 2 keepers during the last week.

[rich daiker]

Tog are in now. I caught 2 keepers during the last week.

Shhhhhhhhhhhh...

[TerpHeels]

I have 965's too and love them, they r over 10 yrs old and have only needed drag washers and cleaning. I've caught false albies on them trolling clarks so they will do what u need.

Another reel, abeit more expensive that I use now is the Avet SX. It's a bad a$$ little reel, perfect for toggin and flounderin. They're a lever drag so u can leave it in free when flounder fishing w/your thumb on the spool. When u feel a bite u can drop back and then ease up on the drag.

[rgminer]

I have the same reel filled with 50# braid on a custom built 7 foot rod. Last summer I hooked and boated a northern sting ray that was wider than my boat (over 6 feet) my scale maxed out at 75 and it easily was over that. That reel is tough and should do what you want it for..

[C-Hawk18]

I have the same reel filled with 50# braid on a custom built 7 foot rod. Last summer I hooked and boated a northern sting ray that was wider than my boat (over 6 feet) my scale maxed out at 75 and it easily was over that. That reel is tough and should do what you want it for..

I think the braid on this one is about 50lb also. I have not used many casting reels bigger then for bass fishing, but when I cranked the drag down on this one it is tight! I almost put a good cut in my finger trying to pull the line off by hand. Looks to be a real solid reel. I'm putting it on a 7' MH musky rod.
Have you had any problems with yours?

[Gotta Gaff 'Em]

Ive got a tica cayman. bad little reel,great for casting drag system ius pretty good, tested it out on stripers up to 27 inches and flounder as well, good fun fight let the drag loose and had a blast. havent had much of a chance to try it on anything else, plan on using it for some mahi chunking this summer. they run like 150 brand new i think cant remember......