Best Catfish reel?

[fishinfreak]

So just last summer "the man" and I started catfishing on the Ohio river. We didn't do very well but we also were learning as we went. As far as how and where to find bait then good places to set up to fish. But one problem we had was the clickers on most of our rods were to light to hold off the current so we couldn't leave them on. So I'm wondering from you serious cat fisherman what is a good current clicker reel? We each have a ambassador that seems to do ok. Just curious on what you guys think? Any help is appreciated as far as reels or just tips on fishing the river. Thanks

["The Man"]

Good strong clicker that will hold the bait in the current! Thanks guys.

[RayP]

Most of the river guys I know like Ambassadors in the 6000 series and up.

I thought you could tighten the spool tension to keep it from free spooling in current?

[fishinfreak]

Most of the river guys I know like Ambassadors in the 6000 series and up.

I thought you could tighten the spool tension to keep it from free spooling in current?

Can you tighten the tension on the clicker. I know how to tighten the spool itself.

[TroyRalph502]

Check out Shimano. I use them down at the river and they seem to do well in the current. My cousin uses the abu garcia series and they work well too.

[fishinfreak]

Check out Shimano. I use them down at the river and they seem to do well in the current. My cousin uses the abu garcia series and they work well too.

Thanks I'll be sure to check them out.

[peter]

Take a look ar these threads:

http://www.fishin.com/forums2/kentuc...eels-rods.html

http://www.fishin.com/forums2/kentuc...iff-reels.html

http://www.fishin.com/forums2/kentuc...a-shimano.html

The threads don't address the clicker question. I have both shimano ant abu round baitcasters and not aware of much difference in clicker tension. You might go to bass pro and compare. A penn senator 3 might have a pretty strong clicker but that's more reel than I would want to lug around.

In addition to the brake mentioned above maybe this would work. Set the drag just light enough to take care of the current and lock the reel. If the cat starts pulling line slowly go to free spool and use your thumb for drag trying to get a feel for what the fish is doing. Then thumb it hard to set the hook and tighten the drag.
If the cat takes the baitbsnd runs just thumb the reel to set the hook and tighten the drag.

If you are considering the cardiff maybe PM justinM who posted one of the threads above and see how he likes them.

[HURRICANEBOB]

Ever tried a Shakespeare TIDEWATER 30LA? Big but light, store lots of line up to 50 pound test, cast good, great clicker.

[fishinfreak]

Ever tried a Shakespeare TIDEWATER 30LA? Big but light, store lots of line up to 50 pound test, cast good, great clicker.

What does one of those cost?

[HURRICANEBOB]

What does one of those cost?

I think new at Walmart when they have them they are about $45.

Here's a low cost way if the guy still has them. REFURBISHED SHAKESPEARE TIDEWATER 30L SALTWATER REEL

I'll sell ya the one I have, mounted on a rod (rod is nothing special), has new line on it for $25. I'm in Elizabethtown KY.

Another one found on Ebay, with good pics:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI...ectorid=229466

[fishinfreak]

I think new at Walmart when they have them they are about $45.

Here's a low cost way if the guy still has them. REFURBISHED SHAKESPEARE TIDEWATER 30L SALTWATER REEL

I'll sell ya the one I have, mounted on a rod (rod is nothing special), has new line on it for $25. I'm in Elizabethtown KY.

I'll probably take you up on that, that way I can get a feel for it without buying one new.

[fishinfreak]

So after looking at the pics where is the bait clicker switch located? The switch I thought it was was just the gear switch.