I need a good baitcasting rig for working banks and grass lines at middle tides. I’m a fly guy, but not having much luck between low and high tide. I want something that can throw 1/8 to 1/4 oz Neds and jig head paddle tails with some distance. I’m used to Calcuttas and Trinidad’s, so conventional casting is not an issue. .
I don’t know this low profile gear at all and too many options. Like to stay close to $500-$600. What do you guys suggest?
I was a hardcore Shimano guy until they went from Japan to Malaysia so I switched to Lew’s for about a decade or so and recently started using a Trika T100 in 7:1 and 8:1 gear ratio after my buddy gifted me two to try. They are exceptional reels and I have them paired with Northfork Composites 6’2" and 6’4" rods I built. The reels are 5.5oz and the rods are under 2oz. I do everything with them, sight fish, wade, drift and they will handle anything from 1/32oz jigheads with tiny plastics to big topwaters. The best thing about them is they are virtually zero maintenance due to the anodized aluminum frame, titanium spool shaft and components and ceramic bearings.
You won’t find them in tackle shops, they are only available on their website. I lied, I found them on Amazon when looking up their site but their site is much cheaper. They make spinning reels too.
That reel looks sexy enough for me to try one!
I’m a baitcaster snob so getting me to say I like it a lot is saying something. I still have boxes and boxes of Japanese Shimanos, Lew’s and some high end Diawas but these Trikas being so light and smooth I will keep those old girls in the tackle room for my son even though he reels lefty and I reel with my right like a googan. They have a new model that recently came out that is a little cheaper (I think it’s a Carbon) but I bet it’s still a great reel would just need more maintenance. I’ve done nothing with mine but rinse them and let them air dry and have had zero issues since I got them probably twenty trips or more ago. They require no lubrication on anything and the ceramic bearings are dry as well. I can zing a tiny plastic a long way with them. For wade fishing I like the 7:1 and sight fishing the 8:1 allows quick retrieves to make quick follow up casts.
With that budget, you can get about anything you want. Generally not a popular opinion but the Kast King reels I have , have all been great. I initially bought em because I was kayaking exclusively and doing a lot of it, sometimes 6 days a week , so I didn’t want to invest in high dollar reels knowing the abuse they’d take in the yakk. Figuring if I got a year out em I could warranty them and keep on. However I’ve had em for 8-9 years now and the only issues have been the handle bearings needed replaced occasionally. Otherwise they just work. The specific reels I have are the OG megajaws and the speed demon elites. The elites are my favorites. Alum body, 10.5:1 or 8:1 and the damn things will cast a mile. I use to be a big Abu fan and still have one Gen4 Revo inshore, and it still works, but it looks ■■■■. And I’ve replaced bearings, pawls ect.. more times than I can count. I’ve just had a ton of issues with it and zero support from Abu. I called, emailed, and even blasted em on their socials. So my advice is avoid Abu. Most folks go the route of Diawa or Shimano these days, but that reel Smack shared is a legit looking contender.
Love baitcasters, keep a half dozen on rods I’ve built, ready to go - but seldom have anglers that ask for them… Typical for me - the last two plug reels I bought.. were Shimano Curado 200 model, used basic reels that I tore down, serviced, changed out the drag washers for Penn HT100 washers… filled each one with 20lb braid and they’ve provided great service. Anytime someone starts talking about high end, high dollar plug reels - my eyes glaze over…
I need a rod as well. That Trika Ti100 is sexy, but doesn’t leave much room for a rod.
I haven’t fished a baitcaster in a while and I also reel right like a googan as well. Yesterday I tried my nephews baitcaster with left hand retrieve and it was weird AF! I quickly trained myself to transition to left hand on fly but can’t see myself doing that with a casting reel.
I’ve had the Bates Salty 150 for about 8 months. It has been very good on snook and fairly large jacks. I don’t use it a ton but it has been great in the salt.
For jigs/soft plastics I use Lews SLP Custom Inshore and a Shimano Tranx 150. Actually prefer the Lews. For plugs I have a Daiwa coastal TWS 200 that works pretty well.
The Trikas are made in the same shop as Bates.
Am I going to have to retire my Garcias if I try a Trika?
Of over the two dozen casting reels both LP and R primary Shims, Daiwas, Pen, AG and 13Fish the one I always grab is my 13Fish Concept 2. Not sure why but I always grab that rod reel. When on LI it’s AG or Shim Tranx.
They’re all good provided you take care of them.
Most likely…
I’ve been fishing a Shimano I bought from @Smackdaddy53 for years.
I’d buy a used Japanese made Shimano from him if he posted one for sale.
I have a Penn fathom on a temple fork tactical inshore with 30lb braid I can cast it further then I need to and it’ll horse out large reds and snook from mangrove cover. I really like TFO rods super light
I have a TFO Mangrove Coast 7# paired with a Tibor Everglades and I like it. I bought it just to fill a hole, but it’s grown on me. On calm days it comes out before my 8# Loomis NRX. I can get lazy and the TFO is so easy.
I’m with Chris Adams—-Bates reels are great.
I forgot about that. What model?
It’s green color with a left-hand crank. Much heavier than Lew’s. I think its a Curado.