Wiggle Wart - REEL

[jolicious]

Well, the rod thread is going so well - thought I'd try a reel thread for Wiggle Warts.

I just can't seem to cast the dang thing more than 30 or 40 feet.

And that's with 10lb Sunline Reaction Fluorocarbon on a Lew's 5.3:1

Any ideas on a reel that will sling a wart 1/2 mile are greatly appreciated.

[Alex Heitman]

Lews bb1 pro. Throws everything a mile. A good medium action rod is also important to get the load up to sling the lighter crankbaits. 

[cheesemaster]

Ya, the bb1 does real well and I have a couple Bass Pro - Pro Qualifier reels that when set right will cast anything a mile. I also have a BP - Pro Qualifier that doesn't do so well (it hasn't been taken care of like the other reels though). The PQ on sale is a very good reel in my opinion. 

[Longball22]

I'll second that on the PQ reels.  Really hard to beat them at that price point, particularly if they are on sale.  Was disappointed that this year they paired them with the junk carbonlite rods for the same price point, rather than marking the price down.  I've also picked a few PQ refurbs up at the BPS Catalog Outlet for $60 a piece, and have been pleased with them as well.  They also have a 4.9:1, which is what I have on my Wart rod.

[theduerf]

If you can find one, I use a Shimano Calais 100a and Shimano Chronarch D5.  Both are great reels, but they come with a higher price.  Lately I have been using only the Calais for wiggle warts and the D5 for rock crawlers.  I throw them on 10lb sunline sniper. 

[Royal Blue]

I'm starting to think that I'm throwing my warts and crankbaits on a reel that is way too fast.  I currently use a Lew's LFS  6:4:1 and nowI'm wondering if I'm missing fish by cranking too fast.  I caught plenty this spring on rock crawlers and warts, but I'm guessing that I need to slow it down.  

[Alex Heitman]

Royal Blue I've never bought into the the whole reel being to fast colder water cranking. I've always use 7:1:1 reels and I've never had a problem. I just slow down the retrieve once the bait gets down. Plus the faster reels I think can help fight the fish better when they take your bait and knock slack in the line. Faster reels help get the bait down faster and I believe gives you an advantage when fighting the fish. I think Aaron martens recently just stated he uses faster reels as week for almost all applications. 

[Smalls21]

1 hour ago, Longball22 said:

I'll second that on the PQ reels.  Really hard to beat them at that price point, particularly if they are on sale.  Was disappointed that this year they paired them with the junk carbonlite rods for the same price point, rather than marking the price down.  I've also picked a few PQ refurbs up at the BPS Catalog Outlet for $60 a piece, and have been pleased with them as well.  They also have a 4.9:1, which is what I have on my Wart rod.

PQ reels are one of the best you can find for $100 bill or less, in my opinion.

[abkeenan]

16 minutes ago, Alex Heitman said:

Royal Blue I've never bought into the the whole reel being to fast colder water cranking. I've always use 7:1:1 reels and I've never had a problem. I just slow down the retrieve once the bait gets down. Plus the faster reels I think can help fight the fish better when they take your bait and knock slack in the line. Faster reels help get the bait down faster and I believe gives you an advantage when fighting the fish. I think Aaron martens recently just stated he uses faster reels as week for almost all applications. 

Agreed. I've always cranked my warts on a 6.3:1 ratio reel for the most part. 

For deep divers 16ft+ I throw them on a 7'10MH rod with a 5:4:1 reel. DD22's, 6XD's and especially 10XD's will wear you out (at least for me) throwing on higher gear ratios.

Alex also made a good point about the rod being just as important as the reel for casting distance of smaller/lighter baits. Sure a good reel is important but you need a rod with a softer tip and action for it to load properly to launch the lure. If you are using a stiff, high graphite modulus, fast taper, MH rod, you are basically negating the BB1 or whatever reel you have on there. A Daiwa Tatula is a fantastic reel in every way and they can be had for $90 online. For the price I think they are the best out there right now.

[abkeenan]

Just now, Smalls21 said:

PQ reels are one of the best you can find for $100 bill or less, in my opinion.

I own 3 of them. I always bought them during the BPS Spring Sale event's for $74.99 less $10 for a old reel trade in. For $65 they are great. They cast well and I like the dual braking system (centrifugal and magnetic). That being said they aren't of the same quality of a Tatula which is at the same price point pretty much. Cabela's actually sells their house brand reel called the Arachnid which made by Daiwa. It's the same at the Tatula Type R only black and blue. If Cabela's ever puts them on closeout or a good sale they are a great reel. Mike McClelland is sponsored by Cabela's and that is the reel he uses all year long.