Gotta get a new reel since my last one fell apart and figured I'd do I it right this time. Not sure which one to go with (I really like the Look of Black edition though)

Can't go wrong with either. Hard to beat a regular old c3.

From what I've read the Pro Rocket only has upgraded cosmetics, but not really sure why it would be $80 more expensive if that were the case

C3's are the go to reels for most cat guys. We put them thru a beating chasing blues during the winter and I use the 5500C3 for stripers and trust me they are beat and abused and yet still catch fish trip after trip.

I managed to snag me a 6500 C3 for $45 and free shipping on EBay. Great score all it needed was a good cleaning and they are a great piece of machinery!!! Can't go wrong with a C3 in my opinion.

Just my opinion. The Rockets and what not are nice, but in Catfishing, I just don't find it justifiable to run them. Reason being, Catfishing is not a one-rod game where you are using one at a time for it's particular benefit over the others for a specific lure or bait, aside from punch baiting. When you are fishing 12-14 rods; it makes more sense to me to go with the bread and butter C3 if you're buying brand new reels vs spending the amount of 2 C3's for one pretty one that will do the same job as a C3. Now if you have special circumstances where you're fishing heavy current or having to cast a very long way (long rodding) then yes, I can see that buying a reel to suite your need, or you can just get a C3 suped up, which is a hell of a reel also.

6600C5 Magtrax. Got some boat rash but mechanically flawless and serviced if anyone's interested...power handles not included

I have several, a 6000 one of the red ones, a c3, c4, c5, 6500 csmag, 7000 saltwater model and another one im not real sure what it is.

In functionality for catfishing they all work about the same. The c3's are a lot more cost effective than the others.

I agree. The only people that may need magged reels are the bank guys using 12 and 14ft rods. Some of them are making true 80+ yard casts with large bait. For the other 95% of the catfish world, 6500 c3's are plenty.

Alright then guys, I guess I'll scoop up a c3,unless I can find a cheaper Pro Rocket on Ebay

I don't regret any of my purchases, I like having different ones, but I bought them all when I was a little kid spending birthday money etc. For the shear functionality the c3's are great.

Just cleaned up a 5500 c3 of my dads last night. He got it for fathersday from me and my brother in 1991-2 and its still a great reel.

I used to run a c3 with 50lb mono and an 8' surf rod. Could cast a 1oz spoon a mile and was fun fishing behind dams for Hybrids

How much 50 lb mono does a 6500 hold?

I spooled mine with 30 lb mono and with a 2 oz spider weight and a hunk of cut mullet on a 7.5' proangler I could cast it out of line. After most casts I had to reel in a decent bit to have enough on the spool to catch something.

I cast it all off to. Enough to cast across most spillways or dams...but with 50lb you can muscle just about anything with no problem

Open up the c3, then remove 2 or 3 of the brake pins/blocks,... your reel now should cast as far as the pro rocket model. Make good use of your thumb on spool, or you're going to get lots of birds nest. That's the trade off with any classic centrifugal brake reels. Jmho.