So I'm rolling around the idea of getting another reel. Thinking something for monsters. I have a few abu 6500 and some diawa saltists 30's that I use now but curious what's out there. Price isn't my first concern and prefer casting/conventional reels.

Get Turbo Fred to "soup up " a reel for you.

Shimano Tekota

I know the 6500 handle up to 84#. How much bigger you planning on catching?!?

That would be a good choice. That reel is one that will blow the 6500 away.

I'm thinking of a reel for baits 10"+. I have two custom 6500's, saltists and a jigmaster...I haven't had any issues with my gear just thinking there is a better reel for this purpose.

abu 7000

I like my 7000 a lot.

That said I have put 12-14 inch gizzard shad on a 6500 and never had an issue.

I'd go with a high end spinning reel. Penn Torque, Stella, Fin Nor, Van Staal. They're all proven Tuna reels. They'll whoop any catfish in North America.

I have a penn 8500 ss and there are no weeds growin under its feet as far as a catfishing rod either, but I prefer a casting reel.

I don't really like spinning reels. I've cut my finger enough times...especially tossing heavy bait.

I have an Avet MXL MC that's overkill for anything North American fresh water short of big alligator gar and sturgeon. It's built like a tank and weighs like one too.

I shaved .006" off of the magnet and cleaned the grease out of the spool bearings, and it cast very well for a reel with a heavy spool.

If I was going to get away from my 6500's for catfish, an Avet SX MC would be on my short list.

Can't go wrong with an Abu 7000. My buddy caught a 63lb. Flathead with one from shore this spring. I also caught a 50 lb flat from shore with a Shimano tr200 and it only has 12lbs of drag. The shimano was maxed on that fish though. When the fish wanted to run, it did!

Avet MXJ. I've got one and love it. It will handle anything you throw at it.

I wouldn't recommend a 7000 if you use them a lot they're likely to have problems (or have prolems out of the box) and the drag sucks.