casting into the wind with a baitcaster leads to very little fun and lots of annoying untangling... been there done that

Lots of good points in this thread. I much prefer a 1 piece rod and would forego a rod case although I like what OS has going on. Just the right amount of protection plus ease and availability. Only the front end of your rod needs protection IMO on a canoe trip. 2 piece rods invariably suggest a rod case lest you run the risk of losing a piece.

But down to brass tacks on the baitcaster decision. I enjoy using a baitcaster as much as I enjoy a spinning reel and typically have both with me. Light line and lighter lures go with the spinner (4/6/8/10 lb test) and the baitcaster handles 12 to 20 lb test very nicely. I would think in terms of line classes when deciding what outfit to bring. If you only feel comfortable throwing cranks on 12 lb test with a baitcaster without snarling things up I would weigh very carefully wether that would be my strategy as cranks for the most part do better with lighter line. Plus throwing lures in the backyard on a nice calm day is quite different than with the wind in your face. Get my drift?

Last night I picked up an Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 4600 C3 from the clearance big at Gander Mountain. Only $40 because it was half off. I had been looking at this reel for a long time and the guy I had talked to about it competes in bass fishing tournaments here in the Midwest. He says it's the only reel that he uses and that he has 7 of them. It is the narrow version of the standard C3.

Does anyone have any experience with this reel?

I mean that it holds the tip ends of the rods, with the butt ends sticking out. The case and the butts are lashed into the canoe. The rods go with the canoe on the portages. When I'm ready to fish, I just remove the strap holding the butts, and draw it out of the holster.

Old Salt wrote on Nov 13^th, 2010 at 5:52pm:


I'm confused Old Salt, what do you mean when you say that your rod case is three and one half feet long but no rod assembly is required?
This past spring I built my own rod case out of PVC pipe with a cap on one end and a threaded cap on the other. I made it just long enough to hold three, two piece rods. That was the first and the last time I will use that rod case (or maybe another kind)!!! It was just too akward to carry and lash in the canoe, not to mention too heavy. Next time I'm just bungee strapping the rods in the canoe, when I want to fish, debungee and pull the line through the guides and tie one on (a lure that is).

Sounds like a nice system old salt. 

Kerry wrote on Nov 12^th, 2010 at 9:53pm:


Not looking to mess with your system, but...

I have a 3" diameter PVC about 3 1/2' long, strapped in behind the bow seat under the thwarts and gunnels on one side of canoe. It can hold up to 5 rods. I just rest the butts on top of the thwarts in front of me, and strap them down. When, I'm ready to fish, I just release the strap in front of me, and draw the preferred weapon. No rod assembly required. Mine are ready to go. But, I certainly have no issue with those who prefer a different system.

Been years since I made a rod from a blank, but it's easy to do. Fenwick used to provide a set of instuctions to all who bought a Fenwick blank. Cabela's sells blanks in various dimensions. Lot of satisfaction in using a rod you made yourself.

I run pack rods...the three fit into two 20" tubes that tuck into the sides on the GG packs that I run or bungie toggle to the thwarts. St.Croix makes them in spinning and bait casting models, a company that makes a decent rod in my opinion. I also have been lucky to pick a couple up that are very affordable over the years (still in service) that are not of the previous persuasion, one could also pursue the the endeavor too through the making of one, as the blanks are available ... just find a fly shop that has the support of rod making classes, then you could make what you want.

Ancient_Angler wrote on Nov 12^th, 2010 at 7:29pm:


That's helpful.  I see where St. Croix makes a 2 piece in their Premier line and I know that Shimano has a 2 piece in their Compre line, both around 100 bucks.  Has anyone used either by chance? But I'm looking again at that G Loomis rod and licking my chops but I don't know if I can justify it.  Do I have to?  The curse of the bait monkey!