Saltwater Baitcasting

What do you think is the most durable baitcast reel for saltwater fishing?

For what use? Pier, surfcasting or other? I'm mostly a fixed-spool user, but for surf-casting I own various Abu models without a levelwind.

Been using a Shimano Calcutta 400 for many years off the pier. Have landed just about everything except a Cobia and a King. Of course don't really fish for either one but have brought lots of Jacks and sharks up to the pier and just popped them off.

I would be using it mainly for surf-casting, but also may fish inshore as well. I was thinking about durability in saltwater.

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Originally Posted by Irish Fisherman

I would be using it mainly for surf-casting, but also may fish inshore as well. I was thinking about durability in saltwater.

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I have used Abu 6500 to catch about everything

Not good at casting a conventional, but what Robert said you can't beat the calcutta's I own a few....but only boat fish with them to troll . Push the buttom and let the motor do the work....
Seen Robert cast his bubble a country mile.....he is good

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Originally Posted by Irish Fisherman

. . . I was thinking about durability in saltwater.

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Salt environment is the enemy of metal, so no reel lasts as long here. Abu has a long track record, but to me the keys are replacement and upgrade parts, plus self service. A VS spinner is a great sealed reel, but service requires a service center or a trip by mail back to the factory, so how durable is it really. By the repair standard I should pick Penn, which I'd pick for boat use, but Abu reels are lighter and cast better.

I took a Stradic 4000 Shimano to Marks Outdoors to be cleaned and their price has gone from 12 dollars to 35 just to clean and lube. I told them for that kind of money I would just buy a new one.

Been using Ambassador reels for as long as I can remember, mainly the 5500 and 6500 series. Never had a problem with them at all. In fact, I have 2 that I got in the late 80s-early 90s that I still use to this day.

I'd like to see a contest between Tato and Haywire for long distance casting. These two are amazing with a baitcaster, I can't come close to them with a spinning reel !!!🤔🤔😄