Conference wahoo::fishing-v2

    Brett,
    
    Check out the ABU 521 series, LH, 4.3:1 retrieve and 110 or 120 yds
    12# test.  I really like mine.  It has a magnetic backlash control,
    which I usually have set to zero, but it's there if you want it. 
    
    Tim
    

I'll second Tim's choice of the ABU 521.  I also have a 521 LH and I've been 
real pleased with it.  It also offers a quick change spool.

-HSJ-

    Wow.  I guess there aren't as many opinions out there on baitcasters
    as I figured.  I only got a couple replies here and 1 in the mail.
    
    It seems that 33% of those who responded feel the Quantum is a great
    reel and the other 66% favor the Abu 521.  I haven't seen an Abu 521
    in local stores, only in BPS catalog, so I really don't know how it
    feels.  I really liked the Quantum "feel" so I'm considering that reel.
    
    I've started dropping some hints.....
    
    Thanks for the replies!
    
    /brett

    For baitcasters I have 3 or 4 ABUs, a Quantum, a Shimano and a Diawa. 
    All make good equipment.  However, I have had more problems with the 
    Shimano than the others and have not been pleased with Shimanos
    customer service dept (for reels or rods).
    
    If Quantum is still offering life time warranty, then I'd consider
    one.  However, if not, I'd go with an ABU.  Life time warrantees are
    the way to go in my book.
   
    -donmac
    
    ps: REAL fisherman use right hand cranks! 8^)

    I don't have too much experience with baitcasters, but FWIW I have a
    ABU 5200C and like it alot. Excxept that it's a right hand crank, and I
    prefer left 8^).
    
    John D.

    I have an Abu 521 XLT, a Shimano Magnumlite, and an Abu Ambasseduer
    Royal Express 1 for Baitcasters.  The 521 is a great reel, holds up
    well and has that great spool changing option that makes changing
    spools fast and easy, but it's definetly a clunker of a reel.  The
    shimano fits in your hand like a breeze, casts great and unlike Donmac
    has been problem free for me.  However, my favorite baitcasting reel is
    the definitely the Royal Express.  This reel is advertised to be built
    with clock like precision.  It is, the minute you cast this reel you
    can feel how precision manufactured this baby is.  I love this reel.  I
    loaded it up with 14 lb TriMax and can cast a 4" sluggo, try that with
    other baitcasters and see what happens.  You can only get this reel
    through BPO its not even in the Abu catalog.  I like it so much I am
    getting another this Christmas (the wife don't know this yet).  In fact
    you can get this reel plus a 6"6" bionic blade for $89.00 and they even
    offer a left hand retrieve now.  
    
    
    

    Gee Donmac,
    
    I guess if all you can hope to catch out of life is an 8 lbs bass, then
    I suppose you can get him in with a rod in the left hand.  But when I get
    that 30 lbs steelhead on the end of my line, I want my strongest
    arm/wrist on the job.  I can easily crank him in with the left hand.
    
    I've been thinking about this for 4 years now with both feet planted in
    the icy water.  	
    
    many :-)
    
    /brett
    

    Ahh, you may possibly have a point there Brett.  But I bet you
    wouldn't find ol' fishdick darold using a left handed reel! 
    
    -donmac

    fishdick darold thinks a steelhead is a guy from Ocala with a plate in
    his head from getting kicked by a horse.
    
    (you had to look that up.....you even spelled darold right)
    
    ;-)

    Brian,
    
    Get the LH for Xmas and I'll trade you for a RH.  Used only twice.
    
    Tim
    

    Tim
    
    No can do, I have the RH one now and the only reason I bought it was
    because they didn't make a LH version a year ago.  All my other
    baitcasters are LH, I just could never make any sense about casting
    with the right and then moving the rod to my left hand for retrieve.
    
    Brian

    re .11
    
    This is my theory.  Cast right, reel left.
    
    /brett

    
    For Christmas, well okay my birthday a few days later, I got the
    Quantum 1310L reel that I dropped about a thousand hints about.  Wow.
    Nice looking peice of work.
    
    I finally got it out on the river this past weekend.  I like it a lot.
    I had oiled it like the blaze orange instructions told me to do.  The
    reel seemed tight on the first 50 casts or so.  I kept loosening the
    spool control a half turn at a time every few casts with the magnet set
    to 20 out of 200.
    
    All of a sudden on one cast it really let go and the spool started
    spinning.  No birsds nest but lots of slack line on the spool :-)
    
    I tighted the spool way back down and finally got everything adjusted
    perfectly.  Nice casts!  I had guys on the other side of the river
    running for cover.  ;-)  Love it.  It's a keeper.
    
    Now if I could only hook into something to test out the drag system
    besides logs and rocks!
    
    /brett

    Finally!
    
    Fourth time out for the season Saturday and I hooked into one.  I was
    fishing at Reiter's on the Skykomish near Gold Bar, WA.
    
    The fish was a chrome hatchery fish.  I hooked him on my 4th or 5th
    cast and fought him for 20 minutes.  Beautiful fish.  I had him up to
    the bank and he took off maybe 75 yards downstream.  Got him back
    again.
    
    The Quantum held up nicely.  The drag felt good and I liked the overall
    feel of the reel.  I enjoyed the fight very much.  I smiled the whole
    time I was fighting.  Nice fish.
    
    /brett
    
    p.s. Did I mention that he spit the hook out when I got him to the
    bank.  That's okay, I like to release steelhead.