Low Profile Baitcaster….
 

Having a fluke rod built for the wife and looking at some low profile reels.

Weight is the biggest consideration. I’m trying to make this rod n reel combo feather lite.

Usually fishing 50 FOW or less. She prefers a paddle handle.

Stuff I looked at but don’t currently own so some input would be appreciated…..

Penn Squall 8.1 oz
13 Fishing Inception 7.5 oz
Diawa Coastal 8.1 oz
Abu Revo 9.5 oz

Thanks boys!

Re: Low Profile Baitcaster….
 

Abu Garcia pro max 7.3 ounce. Great casting. I have a couple for sale brand new in package 40.00 bucks..also. Silver max 40.00. spros. Sinkers jigs. Rigs. Toms river.
732 710 7678

Re: Low Profile Baitcaster….
 

Was in the same boat as you... Had a really nice light rod and wanted to match it up with something on the smaller and lightweight side to balance with the rod.

Was at a show and got a deal on a small quantum energy which they no longer make... Cool feature on this reel was the flipping switch. When the switch is on it allows you to press the thumb bar to let line out and when you release it the reel engages and you don't have to turn the handle. Nice feature for dropping back to Fluke and letting more line out if you can't feel the bottom.

Never thought I needed a flipping switch but it's now my go to reel and I use it for tog jigging as well. Not designed for salt water but mine is going on 4 years now with no corrosion issues.

They now make the Quantum Accurist with a flipping switch so you might look into that... 18 lbs of drag, only 7.5 ounces and at $120 it's worth considering too...

Re: Low Profile Baitcaster….
 

Mid priced
Abu Garcia Max 4 40 low profile

Higher priced
Abu Garcia Revo. Beast low profile 40

Reels look pretty much the same , guts inside the Beast LP are little better .

I bought a bunch of the Max 4 for when I have company on the boat .
For inshore stuff I see very little difference in the performance .
I do change both reel handles out to a power handle

Max 4 has 24# drag
Beast has 30#

Not that you ever need that kind of drag fluking , but what it gives you is strength when your breaking off a snag to not ruin the reel inside or bend a shaft .

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Re: Low Profile Baitcaster….
 

Thanks boys appreciate the feedback.

Capt Dan looking at the Revo hard. Gotta get one in my hands. Thoughts on the Penn low profiles? Personally not a fan but this is hers not mine and they are light as hell looking at specs.

Gerry, got an Accurist as a gift and so on the fence with it after one season. Never landed anything over 6lbs on it but just didn’t trust it for some reason if that makes any sense??? Just feels like it wants to grenade in my hands. I’m prob completely wrong but just an observation.

Re: Low Profile Baitcaster….
 

The two reels I posted are both in the same case as the Penn 300.
Difference is in Penn series they went with higher gears .
I personally like the lower gears in both of the Abu line .

Gear size in the Penn low profile are tougher to fish , and absolutely have more hand strain .

We have tried to get them to make the 300 and 400 in lower speeds , but seems the Florida boys have more input

Re: Low Profile Baitcaster….
 

I have the Penn Fathom 400 low profile and it's a little bigger and heavier then I'd prefer @ 14 ounces and it doesn't balance well on my lighter rods. The weight and bulkiness tends to want to flip the rod over in your hand...



The 300 is Fathom is 9.2 ounces so better but as Dan said the lowest gear ratio on the 300 is 7.3:1 so a bit too fast... The Revo beast 40 is 9.5 ounces but is 5.8:1 which is good...

I still however think 9.5 ounces is a bit too heavy for what you're looking for. I would want to go as light and small as possible and you don't need the 30 pound of drag the Fathom and the Revo offer at the higher weights. It's not worth the trade off in my opinion.

Re: Low Profile Baitcaster….
 

Honestly don’t think you’re going to be able to tell 3/10 of an ounce in hand .
That weight is the larger teeth on the gears .

No one needs 30 pounds of drag to fight a fish . Anyone who can tie good knots def needs 30 pounds of drag to break off a snag in the rough stuff , without bending a spool shaft .
The higher ratings on the drag keep the reels from blowing up .
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Re: Low Profile Baitcaster….
 

Agreed on the 30 pounds of drag but it sounds like this set up is for his wife, it's going on a very light rod and he wants to keep it as light as possible. I have the Quantum I mentioned above @ 7 ounces on a custom Mark Berry United Composite blank. It's also on the smaller side and not being top heavy, it gives that pole such a different feel. People pick up that pole and always comment on how light and balanced it feels.

Re: Low Profile Baitcaster….
 

Beast LP Is about 2/3 the size of our NACL are . It’s tiny , but weighs what it does because it has quality gears in it .