New Product Review: The Shakespeare® BC 6600G Medalist®
by Staff
Reprinted with permission from PIKE & MUSKIE Magazine, copyright 1999

I have a confession to make. I have been using a closed face spinning reel for all of my fishing life. You remember closed faced reels right? They are typically the inexpensive ones that kids use when they are learning to fish. Well, I grew up using them, and truthfully they are excellent little reels. One single push and release of the thumb button, and you can cast without a lesson. They are practically disposable should they fail based on their low cost.

But - pray you don’t catch a fish over a couple of pounds. The plastic (rarely metal of any type) gears will grind into shavings, or other internal components will twist away from their internal supports. They can, and will fail with big fish. I have had this happen to me all too often, and have seen the painful expression on my father’s face as well. You see I come from a long line of closed face reel fisherman.

So anyway - the closed face reels I have been recently using are heavier duty than the ones you can buy at the discount stores. They have proven to be adequate for fish under 15lbs. I have been very fearful every time I hooked into a substantial fish that my old companion the closed face reel would let me down.

Several years ago I did experiment with spinning reels. My conclusion is that they may be fine for light line fishing bass, walleye or other smaller fish, but heavy line, thousands of casts, and big fish don’t mix well with them.

I also did try one of the early baitcasting reels, but repeatedly ended up with a reel full of backlashed line. Baitcasting reels were not perfected at that point by any stretch of the imagination, and truthfully my closed face reel was so much easier to use.

WELL let me say - I have seen the light! This new Shakespeare® Medalist® Baitcast Series reel is a dream come true. I may never again use my old reels. Once you pass beyond the short learning curve on how to use this reel effectively, it will put a perma-smile on your face, and confidence in your fishing.

There are 3 flavors of Medalist® Machined Reels:

The Model BC 4600G is a medium class reel with a line capacity of 125 yds of 12lb test. The model BC 5600G is a medium-heavy class reel with a line capacity of 180 yds of 14lb test. And the reel reviewed here, is the BC 6600G - a heavy class reel with a line capacity of 200 yds of 20lb test. 

This reel has a 5.2:1 ratio and weighs 11.9 oz. 

All Medalist® Machined Reels feature:

• Uni-Lok® one-way clutch bearing anti-reverse
• Rugged one-piece solid aluminum frame and side plates
• Machined aluminum spool anodized gold
• Titanium line guide
• 6600G has on/off selective bait clicker
• Smooth multi-disc main gear applied start drag system
• Thumb bar spool release
• 6 stainless steel bearing system 
• 4-pin adjustable centrifugal and mechanical brake system (6600 has 6-pin brake system)

When I received my reel I strapped it on to my Pete Maina muskie rod, and spooled-up with 150 yards of 40lb SpiderwireTM braid. Although this line is 40lb, it has the diameter of typical 8lb line, and thus the entire spool fit neatly on this reel.

The next morning I headed out to my favorite pike haunt on the Connecticut River.

After easily setting the drag using the star drag, I adjusted the braking system for the 1-ounce DaredevleTM I started the morning off using. The method I was taught to adjust a reels braking system, was to clip the lure onto the leader and let the lure dangle in the air. While bouncing the lure lightly in the air, adjust the braking system control knob till the bouncing lure just barely begins to take line. Since I was new at this I started slow - a 10ft cast, a 20ft cast, a 30ft cast...and I kept working my way out till soon I was throwing half the spools capacity. WOW - this reel is smooth! 

I must admit I suffered backlash once or twice, but only until I mastered thumbing the spool. Once mastered - casting is a pleasure. The retrieve is so silky smooth, it’s sometimes hard to believe you have line, or a lure attached. This reel is extremely well engineered. In trolling the reel performed excellently.

Unfortunately I was not able to catch any fish larger than 8lbs - and it was time to head back to the landing. With several hundred casts now under my belt I feel I have mastered this reel, and it has gained my respect and confidence. I would recommend one to anyone fishing big freshwater fish, or throwing big lures to smaller fish.

Pinch me - this reel is a dream! It’s a big reel for big fish. Casting or trolling it will treat you right, and last you a lifetime.

"Originally printed in PIKE & MUSKIE Magazine at www.pikeandmuskie.com "