catfish reel ? ? ?

Irish_80

Irish_80

New member
Anyone use the okuma XP 452l? I am pretty much set on getting one but the Penn 209 is still an option. I know the Penn is tried and true, but what I have found on the okuma seems pretty solid. I don't river fish a ton so it will only get used 10 or 15 times a year.
 

In my mind, Penn reels are clunkers. Period. I am 58 years old and have lived on the Texas Gulf Coast all my life, so I have had the opportunity to "test" quite a few rigs in salt water.

I would strongly recommend a Shimano Triton 200. It has a level wind, will hold over 300 yards of 30# mono, is stainless, graphite, and a small amount of brass, and is as tough as a boot. Look for them on the Internet; you should be able to find one for about $70. Fishing one in fresh water as you are talking about doing, it should last virtually forever if you take prudent care of the drag washers, loosening them at the end of each trip so they don't "cold flow".
 
Welcome to the forum.

I appreciate it. I found them for $67, which doesn't seem bad. Now I have 3 to choose from. My buddy has a couple Penn 209's and honestly I wasn't a huge fan but I'm no expert.
 
LOL..those tritons may indeed be a good one. The `rest of the family` all likes them open reels...give me a old zebco 33 any day (808 for the river).
Sad thing is the 33`s today are half the quality/durability of yesterdays, but twice the price.
I may look at getting a triton for a gift..thanks for the suggestion.
 
Hooked, Shimano also makes a Triton 100. You might investigate it as well... As you would expect, a bit smaller reel, but just as stout. Truth be told, that is probably all the reel most catfishermen will ever need, because catfish don't strip 100 yards of line off a reel. Additionally, 60 to 70% of the secret to whipping a heavy fish is the proper rod and correct use of that rod. The reel's only real contribution to actually fighting the fish in most cases is drag washer surface area.
 
The reel i would chose os the slosh 20 or 30 that is Daiwa sealine x 20 shv or 30SHV, you can get 50s i think too. They take north eastern rock mark fishing in their stride for decades they cast well and are braked run the red blocks it will never birdsnest if you stack the line properly and bed it on the reel well before you use it for fishing. Level winds are ok but they slow the reel down too much and get in the way laying the line yourself is absolutely no problem once you get used to it. My second choice would be penn 525 or 535 mag. they will be near as strong and cast a little better.
 
Just ordered Shimano Triton 2oo with some Bass Pro gift cards I recieved from G/Kids.
Will not be disapointed seeing as how I got it..... ;-)
 
Irish, any interest in a Shakespeare Tidewater 30L?

I've got one in really good condition that I would take $30 for. I've used it a little bit for trolling big pop gear behind a boat. Seems like a good solid, well made reel.

Let me know if you want it.
 

Okuma's are pretty decent and is what I currently use. I had an ABU 6500 that disintegrated last summer as I was walking to the river. I will never buy one again even though it worked flawlessly while it lasted.

Believe it or not I have a walmart baitcast combo reel that is 6-7 years old and works great. The rod and reel were $20 for the combo.

To the OP and anyone else, have you ever checked out catfish1.com?
 
Hey doggin sorry I hadn't checked this thread for a while. I appreciate the offer but I ordered one of the shimano tr 200g reels. Thanks everyone for your input.
 
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