INDIANANGLER

"if you were buyin a baitcast round reel what it would b?...abu or something else?"

Personally, I'd be looking at the Shimano Calcutta range (the original version) as the little 151 that I have knocks spots off any of the ABU's that I've used. A 251 is definatly on my shopping list next time I'm in Singapore. [/quote]

Yo Mate,

I have a Daiwa saltiga surf 5500 and a Daiwa Opus 5000, an Okuma epixor ef50, a shimano ax4000F, a small Abu and a shakespear. Except for the Saltiga all are fairly cheap reels that work real well. As for rods I have a couple of Jarvis walker (Aussie made) General Purpose 8 ft rods with a medium action. A couple of Ugly Stix 9ft sweeties, they cast light plugs real well. A few small Abu rods for light fishing. And some cheap telescopics that come in very handy with kids.

The combos I still love is the shimano on the ugly stix and the Saltiga (now)/opus (earlier) on the jarvis walker.

Unfortunately for me i do not stay at easy fishing lodges or camps. I normally hike and this means that the tackle goes through a lot of abuse even though i am pretty carefull.

So instead of buying expensive top of the line stuff buy good affordable tackle that you can use freely and without having to worry too much. This way you will enjoy the fishing even more.

well ken does Shimano conquest 101DC is among calcutta reels by shimano? definitely shall check them out.

MK, right abu reels r unnecessarily expensive, may b'coz of swedish engineering.

forget what i mentioned...
give a good combo for saltwater/tor pituitora fishing...
that includes rod, reel, line, tackle, lure, accesories...
for the both typez...plz

this way it can b solved i guess, or i should say easy for ya guyz...

Can only tell you what i have been using for mahseer up here in the north. Have already mentioned the rod and reels i have. Here is the other tackle I think is needed.

In the big lakes of Bhakra and Pong.
Line : 30lbs braid.
Leader : 30lbs Florocarbon (the fish are getting very smart up here and seem to be able to see the line)
Lures : Shad Raps (no 7), FatRaps, DTs, Husky Jerks, Small Magnums, Countdowns, Tail Dancers, Rattlin Rapalas a few small and medium tobys and Lil Cleos and few spinners.
Colours : In bright sunlight - the more natural looking the better so go for Shads, trouts, silvers, perches, crawdads etc. Dusk to Dawn - fire tigers, clowns, gold. Spinners and spoons in brass and silver.

In fast water.
Line : 30lbs braid topped off with 100-150mtrs of good mono (platypus) of about 30lbs. Though with all the break off you'll want to get 50lbs mono. But don't as you will cast shorter.
Lures : Jointed Rapalas, Original Raps for the rapids. Rattling Raps and Tail Dancers (they seem to kick up a lot of mud/silt/gravel from the bottom and attract the fish) for the pools.
Colours : Gold, Silver and all the trouts. Fire tigers too. I paint my Jointed gold underneath with a nice moss green on top. Pretty close to what we call a soli up here. will try and post a pix when I do the next batch, the present one is pretty beat up. (paints used - Compaint spray cans)

Misc.
Get good Snap Swivels, A great set of pliers, a good knife, nail cutter and scissors, polarisers, a good hat with a neck cover.

Get Smelly Jelly or Carolina lunker Sauce.

Keep some heavy mono for "beavers".

And never keep your deos, insect repellants, soaps, shampoos or any other smelly stuff with your kit.

cheers

thank you very much...MK