Abu Garcia vs. Abu Garcia

[OBX_Nomad]

I recently received a 6500CT Sports Mag for X-mas and immediately fell in love with it. I now have the opportunity to acquire a 6500C3 CT Mag Elite. The price is right, but don't see any significant difference between the two reels, except price. Is there something I'm missing?

I'm also interested in having a Blue Yonder in my growing collection and wondering if that reel would be the better choice?

Is one reel easier to "modify" than the other?

Help folks!

[BLUESMAN]

I waffled between the BY and the Mag Elite for some time. Finally got a Mag Elite (C3CT) from HJ haven't had a chance to cast it yet but I took it apart for an inspection run the other night. I really like the way it is made. The mag bracket is just great and much smoother than my 525's. Problem is there is no line out alarm (clicker). So the advantage of being magged over the BY is offset by the fact there is no clicker - tough to dead stick! I was going to buy another Mag Elite but might opt for the Blue Yonder to get the clicker (it does have one doesn't it) - but I like the mags :confused: :confused:.

While I'm here, how do you guys dead stick a reel with no clicker?

[Mark G]

Mag elite, BY, and sports mag.

I was pretty much amazed at the sports mag. I am going to be using this reel as a back up to my main casting (tourny) reel.

The mag elite casts well also, but not quite as smooth as the sports mag. I like the mag adjuster on the elite more than the sports model for adjusting during the cast.

Maybe I am different but I really have only ocassional use for a clicker, even on a fishing reel.

With the use of cirle hooks, just keep an eye on the rod tip, I keep the drag fairly tight and find most fish will hook themselves when deadsticking.

Even if you walk away from the rod as long as the drag is not too loose a hooked fish is not likely to spool you. And if you are too far away you are not going to hear a clicker anyway. Unless you are sitting next to the rod and catching a light nap, I see no real use for a clicker.

The BY I had magged and lost the clicker in the process. No biggee to me JMO

[BLUESMAN]

Cat your right about the clicker and giving warning, I don't use it for that either. I use the clicker to maintain line tension when I'm dead sticking. I leave the drag set where I normally play a fish, put the reel in freespool and let the clicker hold the line. It's amazing how a good fish will bow your rod even against the clicker. When I pick up the rod I thumb the spool if it's a run then engage the drag. I'll try reseting the drag as you suggest, should only take a quarter or half turn to bring it back into adjustment when the fight is on! :fishing:

[Mark G]

Cat your right about the clicker and giving warning, I don't use it for that either. I use the clicker to maintain line tension when I'm dead sticking. I leave the drag set where I normally play a fish, put the reel in freespool and let the clicker hold the line. It's amazing how a good fish will bow your rod even against the clicker. When I pick up the rod I thumb the spool if it's a run then engage the drag. I'll try reseting the drag as you suggest, should only take a quarter or half turn to bring it back into adjustment when the fight is on! :fishing:

OK i got it, I think. By using the clicker you avoid a potential overrun that would occur when a big fish hits and you are in freespool mode. Your right about the rod going down, depending on the reel size it takes a certain amount of inertia to get the reel spinning, a sudden jerk on the line will cause the rod to bend, this pressure sets the spool to start spinning, game on!

[OBX_Nomad]

Thanks guys. It sounds like I can't go wrong with either of these reels. I'm leaning towards the BY, mainly because the majority of my fishing here on the OBX involves non-levelwind reels. So, hope to add a BY soon, and then the Mag Elite when the opportunity presents itself.

[BLUESMAN]

The mag elite comes with a CT (non-level-wind)
frame also. I just ordered a second one from HJ:popcorn:

[OBX_Nomad]

The mag elite comes with a CT (non-level-wind)
frame also. I just ordered a second one from HJ:popcorn:

Bluesman,
Yeah that's the one I'm interested in. I think I made it sound like I was choosing the BY because it was a CT and the Mag wasn't, but that isn't the case. I was just stating that I prefer the CTs, and of those the BY was my first choice. Or that's what I was trying to say anyway. ;-)

Let me know what you think of the new CT Mag.

[Mark G]

in your original post you asked if one reel was easier to mod than another- I don't have any experience doing mods myself, but Have been told by at least one shop owner that does lots of mods that the BY is bar the easiest to mod- so at least it was his favorite for that purpose- hope that helps

[OBX_Nomad]

It does indeed help.

[barty b]

I have owned all 3 reels mentioned and I love all 3. The 6500 CT sport mag is a smooth reel,very smooth. It differs from the Mag Elite and BY having a palming sideplate and mag adjustment RING,which I replaced with a Mag Elite style slider. I really wish I never got rid of that reel :( .
I too have no real use for a clicker on my abu's,just the 525's.
The By requires the most tuning to get it under controll. My longest casting reel for fishing right now is my Mag Elite. It carries ceramics,the black spool from a BY and only 2 mags in the mag array.
I WILL be purchasing another Ct Sport Mag soon.