What Flippin Reel should I get ?

[CMorg]

I ordered a second ( bigger ) boat cover from BPS that wont fit my boat...so I need to send it back. I have a need for a dedicated flippin reel for brush and maybe thick grass. I was thinking of the Ardent F-700 , almost even trade. However , the feedback on BPS site doesnt look real good... any body own one ? How do you like it ? Anyone else got a good flippin reel they recommend ?

[BigBassin144]

For flipping alone, I don't think it matters too much. Something with a good drag this feels good to you.

If you'll be pitching, something with a lighter, shallower spool will help you pitch farther. Daiwa Sol/Alphas comes to mind, but you won't be able to get that at BPS. Same goes for the Daiwa TDZ 103 and 105 in all varieties.

Possibly the Pflueger Patriarch since it has a shallower spool.

BB

[keithdog]

I don't have a dedicated flippin/pitchin reel, but I use a Revo STX 7:1 for my pitchin and it works really well.

[BigBassin144]

Originally Posted by keithdog

I don't have a dedicated flippin/pitchin reel, but I use a Revo STX 7:1 for my pitchin and it works really well.

That's the exactly reel I'm using as my temporary pitching reel, since other rods and reels are of more priority to me since I don't flip/pitch much.

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[CMorg]

Good points , I really dont flip , pitch much myself...lol. Just looking for something to use this money on. I dont really need anything. I have officially got way to much as it is.. and yes, even the monkey agrees with me. He told me to sell some of this sh#! so he could force me into buying more !!

[Lvitch]

I bought the shimano castaic in a left hand retrieve specifically for this. Had it 3 seasons with no complaints. The thumb bar thing works perfect and I never have to switch hands. I have a friend who bought the ardent and didn't like it. Because there is no line pawl (?) Braid tends to go on unevenly and digs into it self on the spool a lot causing it to hang up. Haven't tried it personally but I'm happy with my shimano.

[BigBassin144]

I find it funny that Shimano markets the special thumb bar the way they do when every Daiwa comes with a two-way clutch. So while only select Shimano reels have the option to engage the reel by pushing the thumb bar up, you can do so on all Daiwa reels. Daiwa is the only company I know that has this standard. It's one thing I just can't get used to on other brand reels, lol.

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[Lvitch]

Never noticed it on my diawa. Have to check it out. I like the shimano though because the thumb bar comes up the side, so you can palm the reel all the time and just slide your thumb back and forth. It's the only shimano I own, but it works well.

[g_rigor]

Quantum accurist, has a flippin switch, good deals on e-bay or i think bps kvd reel has the same features. You can switch back and forth between modes with the flip of a switch. I have several and never had any problems with them.

[Bubba_Bruiser]

I have an Accurist for a rod I am building and I have been playing around with it. I like how it engages and stops with the switch. But with that being said, I still plan on getting the Castaic for my personal use.

[nofearengineer]

My Viento does not like it when I re-engage the spool with the thumb bar. The handle goes all gummy until you turn it half a revolution before it frees itself. I got it used, so who is to say if mine is just bad or the Daiwa design isn't all that great.

[BigBassin144]

Bryce, that's a side effect of the Twitchin' Bar. In how the gears are laid out with it, it won't fully engage until the Twitchin' Bar is depressed or the handle is turned slightly. As I'm sure you know, your 50th doesn't do that.

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[Raul]

There´s one big advantage if you take the Castaic, the design didn´t change at all, it was the only reel that was not redone when Shimano re did the line up from the Citica all the way up to the Chronarch. So it´s basically the same bullet proof design Shimano since 1994 just slightly improved.

[bassboogieman]

A Shimano Quickfire (JDM version of the Castaic) is what I use and it's the only Shimano I own. It's technique specific and the best thing out there for me, nothing else like it. It is a larger profile reel and bit heavier than the others I use, but for pitchin' I like the Quickfire.

[Lvitch]

I checked out some diawa's today, I never knew that about them. It works pretty well. I really love my td-s hva, it was my third baitcaster (bought used), and like liquid sex on your thumb. But also the only reel to fail me. The drag washes are spent and the metal ring separated from the spool. I have too many bps extremes that just won't die so I haven't gotten around to getting it fixed. I wish it had more line capacity also.

I feel my hand is out of position for an immediate hook set using the thumb bar that way. That's imo where the shimano shines. Your hand never really moves from around the reel when you have it palmed. You kind of build up a good callous over the summer though lol

[Bubba_Bruiser]

Raul reminded me that the old Citicas has a clutch in them. I caught my biggest fish on it. I remember I got the fish out in open water and backed off the drag when she rolled in the water. I was thumbing the spool and unknowingly engaged the clutch (It engaged when you pushed thumb bar halfway down). I went to reel and my handle would just spin freely. I just about freaked out thinking my reel was broke until I realized what I was doing.