ABU questions...

[VICIII]

What do you guys think...
I have two 6500 c3 .. 1 has the line lever and the other is stock.
I would like to understand what I can do to add performance to these reels. I do not want to waste money on them because I know that you can do that easily with ABU's..
What do you guys think of the bearings or grease or oils???
Drags?
Handles?
What is cheap but best bang for the buck?

[bluerunner]

bearings and oil, definitely add new drag washers

[justinfisch01]

If you are going to use them for surf casting I would recomend removing the levelwind and replace it with a CT bar About ($15) Replace the nylon clog with a brass speed clog, MAG kit. I haven't replace the drag in mine but I prolly should. I am actaully looking to build another 6501 c3 this winter

[Fishman]

I have two 6500 c3 and I was thinking about takeing the level wind and the top bar that it was attached to off. What would be a good way to fill the screw holes where the screws came from and what is a CT bar?

[justinfisch01]

A CT bar is the bar that the 6500 CT model has in place of the level wind. If you take out the level wind and don't replace the bar with something then the frame of the reel will flew or twist in all kind of directions. They make replacement bars that are just a piece of aluminum that is tapped on each side and then you just use a small screw on each side. When I get home I'll have to post some pics

[Fishman]

Does the CT bar mount where the worm gear goes or at the top of the reel where the level wind is mounted?

[justinfisch01]

Exactly!!! You just need something there to strengthen the frame. I have heard of people just taking of the line guide and the gear inside the reel that controls the worm gear and used it like that. I guess it is almost the same. They just take out the sproket that drives the line guide. If you can visulize what I am trying to say

[barty b]

Exactly!!! You just need something there to strengthen the frame. I have heard of people just taking of the line guide and the gear inside the reel that controls the worm gear and used it like that. I guess it is almost the same. They just take out the sproket that drives the line guide. If you can visulize what I am trying to say

Yes. What I did on the 5600 conversion is simple and free. follow these steps
1. strip the reel down to the frame
2. etch a line 1/16" from the inside of the frame wall on the top bar.
3. cut that bar out leaving the 1/16" stubs and grind/file them rounded.
4.remove the idler gear(cog) from the inside of the sideplate.
5.If you have some kind of rubber or plastic cap you can epoxy them onto the studs left from removing the top bar.
Leave the worm gear assmbly intact and leave the cog on the end of the spool (palming sideplates only)and reassemble the reel.

Now for a REAL conversion you have to get a CT replacement bar for where you remove the wormgear and sleeve. But for a simple and FREE(key word here) conversion,The above steps are the ticket. Takes about an hour. I'll post pics of the 5600 magtrax I just did the other night.

[barty b]

Does the CT bar mount where the worm gear goes or at the top of the reel where the level wind is mounted?

where the worm gear was.

[barty b]

What do you guys think...
I have two 6500 c3 .. 1 has the line lever and the other is stock.
I would like to understand what I can do to add performance to these reels. I do not want to waste money on them because I know that you can do that easily with ABU's..
What do you guys think of the bearings or grease or oils???
Drags?
Handles?
What is cheap but best bang for the buck?

Send em to me,I'll trick em up for ya ;) :D

[Shooter]

I am still for the life of me wondering why everbody has to remove the level wind?
If your going to be tossen lures with it KEEP the level wind, if your going to be using it to toss bait and letting it soak then fine rip out the level wind and gain all of a few extra feet of distance.
I have a 6500C4 and yea it has all the tricks and it will toss dang near as far as anythang out there and if were tossen lures I will normally toss and wind in and toss again before the guy wihtout the level wind.
If your bound to go without then why not just buy a Blue Yonder and poof all your questions are answered.

Answer this one most important question, Just how far do you need to cast?

[barty b]

Not too many guys toss lures down here, The ones who do use spinning reels. Trust me and many other professional distance casters, You get much more than a few feet out of the conversion. Yes you could go out and but a blue yonder or CT Mag elite,but that's no fun. It is much more satisfying to hit longer distances with a reel you built or tricked out yourself than an off the shelf model (wich needs improvement anyway)

Take this reel for example
http://www.floridasurffishing.com/gallery2/d/3398-2/Picture+002_002.jpg
Before the conversion this 5600C4CS Magtrax would cast (in my hands, over grass) 4oz 126 yards. after the conversion I can put 4oz a measured 167 yards with simulated bait and 14lb running line. there is NO arguing that a FREE running spool will run faster, and hence throw farther, than a spool hampered by having to turn gears and run a levelwind mech.
http://www.floridasurffishing.com/gallery2/d/3396-1/Picture+002_001.jpg

http://www.floridasurffishing.com/gallery2/d/3393-1/Picture+003.jpg

http://www.floridasurffishing.com/gallery2/d/3390-1/Picture+004.jpg

[barty b]

Answer this one most important question, Just how far do you need to cast?

Only as far as the fish are. Just sometimes that is about 150-160 yards out, Your not going to make it with a levelwind reel.

[Shooter]

Sorry should have stated How far and what type of fishing are ya going to be doing?

The best upgrade to any Abu is to get the new Carbon drag washers and better oil then power handle then bearings.

[SeaSalt]

i heard that new abus come w/ carbon washers...

[barty b]

The best upgrade to any Abu is to get the new Carbon drag washers and better oil then power handle then bearings.

I agree. One thing abu's lack is strong drag,no arguement there. Of course they were not originally concieved for salt water,we have just adapted them for it. The best thing I did to my first Abu's was put cut down HT100 drag washers originally designed for use in 525's in my Mag elites. You have to cut them to fit. Now Abu makes carbontex drag washers that are a designed fit.

[ASK4Fish]

Sorry should have stated How far and what type of fishing are ya going to be doing?

The best upgrade to any Abu is to get the new Carbon drag washers and better oil then power handle then bearings.

you know i tried giving the same point...but some from the florida board don't believe these are necessary...

[barty b]

I have two 6500 c3 .. 1 has the line lever and the other is stock.

Vic, What do you mean by this?

[barty b]

you know i tried giving the same point...but some from the florida board don't believe these are necessary...

Not necessary for whiting and pompano. I just like to have the extra power for reds,jacks and other harder pulling fish. But thats why I also use 525's or bigger for the bigger game

[NTKG]

i heard that new abus come w/ carbon washers...

not hte same way that the aftermarket ones are. only the middle washer is. there is variation from a standard carbon fiber kit, to lets say a hatteras outiftters kit. and ive seen people do cutting like barty said. ive seen even more people get the carbon kit and still use their thumbs(i do the thumbing on my reels too, im retarded)

[justinfisch01]

Here is a few pics that you can see the real worm gear replacement. The reason that I just can't go out and buy a real already done for me is because I am a lefty and the world hateson lefties atleast abu made one that we can kinda work with. It would be real nice if they came out with the good stuff for us. Sorry for the blurry pics
IMG]http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e300/justinfisch01/IMG_0536.jpg[/IMG]
IMG]http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e300/justinfisch01/IMG_0535.jpg[/IMG]
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e300/justinfisch01/IMG_0534.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e300/justinfisch01/IMG_0533.jpg

[justinfisch01]

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e300/justinfisch01/IMG_0536.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e300/justinfisch01/IMG_0535.jpg

[VICIII]

Send em to me,I'll trick em up for ya ;) :D

see ya in march..
we will talk and I will bring parts...


you work for whiskey right??

[bigphil]

Hey Barty. How do you like that 5600? I read somewhere and can't recall where, folks said they didn't like the plastic thumb release because they would break. You think it's that much of an issue to stay away from them?

I'm looking to by an Abu after christmas. BP has the 6500 and 6600's.

[barty b]

I love it. I got it off E-bay for 39.00 shipped,BNIB. It is the older style/color but everything is basically the same. I have fished this reel hard for a year now and have not had the first sign of problems. Abus dont have problems,as long as you clean them after each use, I have reels that I have fished with for 2 years that look/perform like new. Besides IF anything does "happen" to break on an Abu, Which I cant see how, they are very easily repaired,Try that with your Calcutta.;)

[barty b]

Hey Barty. How do you like that 5600? I read somewhere and can't recall where, folks said they didn't like the plastic thumb release because they would break. You think it's that much of an issue to stay away from them?

I'm looking to by an Abu after christmas. BP has the 6500 and 6600's.

I will say givin the chioce I prefer the plunger style of the 500 over the thumb bar 600"s

The 600 thumb bar design was designed for plugging for bass and pike where as quick repeated casts needed to be made, and this design facilitated a "one handed" disengage and cast motion.

I will agree that the 500 plunger models seem to be of sturdier design, Even though the mechinism on the inside is the same once you get past the plunger or thumb bar.

[bigphil]

Thanks. I think the first one I buy will be more for plugging and general fishing.

Then I plan to get a CT style for surf casting.

[VICIII]

Abus dont have problems,as long as you clean them after each use, I have reels that I have fished with for 2 years that look/perform like new. ;)

How do you clean them after use?

[barty b]

I'm anal about it. I take them apart after about two or three trips and totally clean them. Rinse after each use and spray w/ reel magic.

[Railroader]

I'm anal about it. I take them apart after about two or three trips and totally clean them. Rinse after each use and spray w/ reel magic.

Then wipe 'em down with an old T-shirt....:cool:

You can tell when they need a good cleaning, about every third trip, like Bart said.

They just start feeling kinda "sluggish".

[VICIII]

I rinse the out side take the spool off (on spinners) and give it a flush and then spray reel magic.
Do you just rinse the outside? then spray the outside?

[Railroader]

I rinse the out side take the spool off (on spinners) and give it a flush and then spray reel magic.
Do you just rinse the outside? then spray the outside?


I do my reel magic spraying after they have dried/drained across my front hedge for a while. I lay 'em sideways on top of the bushes, reels down. Lets almost all the water out thru the plunger and clicker/mag control.

[seajay]

you know i tried giving the same point...but some from the florida board don't believe these are necessary...
What are you saying the handles or drag?