Which overhead reel?

[Chamelion]

Hi all,

I've got a 5'6" ugly stick that I need a reel for. I'm looking to spend no more than $150.

Okuma titus T20 - $115 on sale
Shimano charter special - $149 on special
Penn 330GTI - $140-ish

Looking to throw some 30lb mono on.. Will use it for a little trolling around Mooloolaba bay, bottom bashing, live bait etc. I have no experience to have formed this preference, but I would prefer lever drag, the 330GTI only has star.

Cheers :)

Matt.

[Horse]

The Charter Special would be my pick

[krazyfisher]

got to be the charter special

[Chamelion]

Turns out the charter special is $139 at the moment. It's the winner thus far. I'm just ever so slightly concerned about line capacity.

[diabolical]

Ditch the level wind lot and go for a Tld15 or Daiwa SL50LD only $20 over budget. Slightly bigger reels so better capacity in mono.

[TimiBoy]

I've got a near new Charter Special you can have for $90, that's what I paid on ebay last year. In Brissy, pm me if you're interested.

Cheers,

Tim

[2manylures]

Chamelion,
I have a Charter Special that's copped an absolute flogging. They are brilliant reels that have been around for almost 25 years. TLD's the same.

Mine is 22 years old by the way & still perfect.

Not many reel models can boast such longevity which must say something for them.

They are also an excellent casting reel once you get used to adjusting them for this purpose.

[NormC]

Chamelion,
I have a Charter Special that's copped an absolute flogging. They are brilliant reels that have been around for almost 25 years. TLD's the same.

Mine is 22 years old by the way & still perfect.

Not many reel models can boast such longevity which must say something for them.

They are also an excellent casting reel once you get used to adjusting them for this purpose.

So what is the secret for casting a Charter Special? The only way to free spool is to take the lever drag down to zero. The only 'cast control' is the lelever drag - adjusting it just off free spool.

I certainly have not been able to master this as the adjustments are way too course. Free spool gets a birds nest, 1mm off free spool is too much drag for good accurate casting (for me anyway). Other than doing a slow under hand lob to get the bait 10 m or so away from the boat (towards a snag for example), I don't even try to cast with it any more.

Other than this aspect, the Charter Specials have been a great reel. We have two and wife and I use them mostly for live baiting up in the Gulf.

So 2manylures, if you have some good tips on casting with a Charter Special, I'm willing to try them out.

Norm C

[2manylures]

Norm,
It's just a matter of adjusting the preset correctly & then the lever.

No different to any other reel.

[wilcara]

Timiboy - you still got that reel? Which one is it?