Picking the right reel for channels.....

[Deuce]

2 reels, which one I have used and the other I have not but heard great things about are:

Abu Garcia 6500 or 6600 series baitcaster reels- both have bait clickers, and a great drag system, casting and reeling is smooth.Durability on Abu's is exactly what you would expect, AWESOME! Expect to pay around $90 per reel or a bit more.

Okuma Classic CL200- This real is much cheaper, normally found for around $35 dollars. I have not used one of these reels, although from what I hear, they are tough to beat for the money. This reel also has a clicker and a decent drag system. Not sure about reeling and casting smoothness, but I'm sure they are fine.

Feel free to add to the list

[someguy]

You can't beat an Abu. For the money the is nothing wrong with the Okuma

[billyb]

I have the Abu Garcia Record Series #60 High Capacity. Love it, the drag on that reel is better than my than the drag on my Pflueger Patriarch.

[Deuce]

Jul 6, 2012 14:01:28 GMT -6 billyb said:

I have the Abu Garcia Record Series #60 High Capacity. Love it, the drag on that reel is better than my than the drag on my Pflueger Patriarch.

I saw that real when I met you....super sick reel...and quite spendy! lol

[billyb]

Ya, it costs a bit. I bought it for long lining on the reefs up at LOW. It worked great, but its big and heavy, so I slapped it on my $25 Catfish Ugly Stick. By the way, with this combo paired with 50lbs PowerPro I reeled in a snapper that measured close to 36" head to tale. I say "close to" because he was pissed and I wasn't gonna get close enough to let him take out any aggression.