I'm new to Tff as a member, although I've been on this site many times just reading and absorbing knowledge. My question is... I need some catfish gear I want to start targeting big blues, and I can't decide to pay the money for some 6500's or go with some cheaper reels because I am on a budget. I know you get what you pay for but, I was just curious as to if I could find a quality reel that is a little cheaper.Thanks in advance ya'll.

Welcome mike!!!.....

when i started out this year i went to Ebay to purchase my three abu 6000 reels at a cheap price. I got them for 40,60,and 80. They held up pretty good all year so far even though they are used. If you are on a budget you might wanna check out ebay.

good luck

Il second what Grandmaster said. Cant really beat an abu 6500. If your looking to save some money keep an eye out for used ones rather than buying a cheaper reel new. Odds are a used abu 6500c3 will outlast most new reels you buy.

Pm me and I may can help you out with some info. if your interested. Oh yea and welcome to the forum!!

Definately go with the 6000-7000s. cant go wrong,IMO. I have a 4600 that I think is awesom and have caught pretty decent cats on it( with pro angler rods). I have 5 abu garcia reels now and got 4 of them used. No complaints!!
TIGHT LINES!!

Abu all the way!!!

Do work looking for them and you can get one cheap. I got 4 6500 one time for. 100 bucks! Not saying you you can find that deal all the time but you can find it.

Good luck hunting.

Thanks everyone I appreciate the info. From the looks of it I'll be buying some abu's probably used at first then work my way up to some brand new ones when I get the funds. Again thanks ya'll.

NO BCX!!!!!!!!!!!

PM your address and ill send you a 6000 Abu on the house.

Only catch is that it don't have a levelwind.

I actually own a bcx and I wont make that mistake again!

Garcia for sure eBay eBay eBay.. Although, bob sells Ming yang 60's and we run 4 of them on the boat amongst all the abu's and they work pretty dang good. And we aren't easy on equip lol bob is deerstrangler on here

I've heard mixed reviews about ming yangs some people love them others say they're not worth spooling line on...i guess i'll have to try one out sometime.

If your OK with spinning set ups then I'd recommend the quantum optix series. They are very affordable and they are a quality product in my opinion. The optix 60 should cover almost everything... I have an 80 but it made my 10'pole seem unbalanced weight wise.

For what the Ming yang is and what it cost you need to go with abu. Let's look past the fact that that are just as much as a Abu. Not to mention that all it is is a copy of a Abu (not a very good one at that).

But why go with a reel that is not tested tried-and-true for over 60 years?????

I got a worm gear and pawl. You can have don't know where you are at. Let me know and you can have them. And I may have a pawl cover. I can install them to.

I am in lewisville. You can PM me if you you want me to do it.