Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: prairiefire on September 04, 2008, 10:49:32 PM
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I need a new reel for fall on the Vedder. I have a 10 ft Convergence rod and am not to sure on which Abu reel to buy. C3, C4 or Classic. Also which series to go for...5000 or 6000. I know the big difference will be weight and amount of line they will hold. Any info or opinions would be appreciated.
thanks
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I just ordered two of these (one for me, one for my friend):
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0042977121874a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&sort=all&QueryText=abu+mag&Ntk=Products&_D%3AhasJS=+&Go.y=6&Nty=1&hasJS=true&%2Fcabelas%2Fcommerce%2FCabelasCatalogNumberFinder.giftCertificateURL=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Ftemplates%2Fgiftcertificate%2Fgiftcertificate.jsp%3Fid%3D0005586990011a%26podId%3D0005586%26catalogCode%3DIB%26navAction%3Djump%26indexId%3D&_D%3A%2Fcabelas%2Fcommerce%2FCabelasCatalogNumberFinder.giftCertificateURL=+&N=0&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form23&Go.x=9
I have had one for four years now. This new one will be a backup.
The best Abu reel ever made in that price range.
Unfortunately, they are discontinued in NA, but Cabelas still carries them.
Can you say SMOOOOOTH? ;D
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It depends on what species you will be primarily targeting. When it comes to line capacity for the Vedder River, I don't see the need to use a reel that has a spool capacity of over 150m. If a fish is going to take 150m of line from you, most likely it will not be landed. A big spool capacity often translates into wasted unused line near the bottom fo the spool. I use a low profile baitcaster that has a line capacity of 120m. 5000C4 is adequate enough for coho salmon. I used to operate a 6500C3 with the rod that you are using, but found it excessive for the type of fishing that I am doing.
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I was eyeing up that C5 Milo...only thing is that I am a lefty.
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I was eyeing up that C5 Milo...only thing is that I am a lefty.
Me too. All my other reels (fly and gear) are left hand retrieve.
It is unfortunate that Abu doesn't make this model in left hand version.
That said, it is not a big deal, really. You get used to it, but if it is of great relevance to you, then go with the lefthanded C4.
What Rodney pointed out is true, however, I find that a 6K is more versatile than a 5K. It will cover ALL the bases - even the Fraser.
Good luck with your choice.
Cheers, Milo
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Any opinions on this reel?
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat21404-cat21406-cat601360_TGP&id=0002932114705a&navCount=1&podId=0002932&parentId=cat601360&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=8IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601360&hasJS=true
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I really don't think you can go far wrong with any ABU. They're not too complicated (and I mean that in a nice way) so little to go wrong or break. Spare parts are readily available. If you want to upgrade the components such as the bearings, then they are easy to find as well. There's lots of spares on eBay as well.
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Any opinions on this reel?
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat21404-cat21406-cat601360_TGP&id=0002932114705a&navCount=1&podId=0002932&parentId=cat601360&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=8IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601360&hasJS=true
I say cough up a few extra bucks and buy this C4:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0036078120597a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all_NYR&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&sort=all&QueryText=ambassadeur&Ntk=Products&_D%3AhasJS=+&Go.y=10&Nty=1&hasJS=true&nyr=1&Ne=46&%2Fcabelas%2Fcommerce%2FCabelasCatalogNumberFinder.giftCertificateURL=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Ftemplates%2Fgiftcertificate%2Fgiftcertificate.jsp%3Fid%3D0005586990011a%26podId%3D0005586%26catalogCode%3DIB%26navAction%3Djump%26indexId%3D&_D%3A%2Fcabelas%2Fcommerce%2FCabelasCatalogNumberFinder.giftCertificateURL=+&N=50&Go.x=26&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form23&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1
An extra bearing makes it smoother, but above all, there's the carbon matrix drag that WILL make a difference when you hook into some angry chinooks! ;)
It will be 20 extra bucks well spent, and don't let anybody tell you otherwise.
And don't forget, if you ever fish for salmon in the Fraser, a 5000 series Ambassadeur won't cut it. Go with the 6000, even the 7000 series.
But if you are going to stick to the Vedder and other smaller LML rivers, you'll do just fine with the 5601 C4.
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If you have the time to wait and the coin to spend....Check out Mike's Reel Repair custom work. I have two of his custom reels.
http://www.mikesreelrepair.com/product_info.php?cPath=89&products_id=47695
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spare parts are readily available because they constantly break down. They are junk.
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spare parts are readily available because they constantly break down. They are junk.
The most popular and best selling baitcasters ever.
Yeah, they must be junk. ::)
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Although they are still quite popular, the quality of Abu Garcia level winds have gone downhill in recent years. Don't make them like they used to.
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buy the EXT or the RECORD. its makes all the difference, they're more money, but more quality, ext is a sick reel, and the record casts a mile!
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I'm a lefty...thanks, anyways.
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If you don't need to have a brand new one or cost is an issue, give Ken D a email/PM and see if he has any that he is working on. He would also be a good person to ask questions. He always seems to have a few for sale that he's refurbished and upgraded.
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/yabbse/index.php?action=profile;u=184 (http://www.fishingwithrod.com/yabbse/index.php?action=profile;u=184)
Shane
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I am also thinking of going for a centrepin setup. Any ideas of a good starter outfit. This will be my second year of going to the Vedder.
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Check out the 6501C4. I've got a lefty and it's been a pretty good reel, both on the Vedder and Fraser. Worth your while to upgrade it with the ceramic pawl though as they have been known to have worm gear issues. Keep the worm well lubed too. {Never hurts to have the old Quantum as a backup either}.
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I ended up ordering a 5501C4 from Cabelas. I'll keep my Okuma Induron for the Fraser.
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Forgot to ask where I would get that upgrade.
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A buddy of mine got the ceramic pawls online but Mikes Reel Repair in Abbotsford probably has them. There number is 1-888-404-1119.
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I'm a true lefty and want myu rod in my left hand,,being the strongest,,,,,therefore I will reel with my right hand all the 4500's or 00's are right hand retrieve any ending with 01 is left hand retrieve..........thru out the industry.
Back a few guys ,,,,,,,you are correct,,, ALL med. priced ABU's are poor, VERY poor drags, the level wind pawl ( the unit that moves the line from side to side) is a joke, wears out way too fast. Its the only reel I have to stock extra pawls for people.
PLZ look at the Shimano line of reels. Pricing is about the same , but WAY better quality. Curado's, 250 or 251 Calcutta,,,,, TE's are a bit expensive but bullet proof and as smooth as silk. Check out Ebay for good used ones ,,,,lots of good buys..............
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Milo
No kidding their best selling, there cheap. They are not built like the way they used to be. Having to deal with warranty issues in the industry on these reels would make a person cringe.
Have seen numerous problems on c3, c4, c5 magx, tgc 6000, records, eons, etc.
These reels are not built well enough to withstand our fishery.
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Milo
No kidding their best selling, there cheap. They are not built like the way they used to be. Having to deal with warranty issues in the industry on these reels would make a person cringe.
Have seen numerous problems on c3, c4, c5 magx, tgc 6000, records, eons, etc.
These reels are not built well enough to withstand our fishery.
I beg to differ.
All my levelwinds are 5K and 6K Ambassadeurs, varying from the humble C3, the performance oriented C4 to the more sophisticated and smoother C5. They have all landed me hundreds of fish through the years, including numerous chinook monsters in the 40+ pound range.
All my reels are still in working order.
Sure, parts wear out and they DO need maintainance.
It also helps that my fishing partner and buddy is an accomplished technician and helps me keep them in good shape. ;)
With regular TLC, Abu Ambassadeurs are excellent bang for the buck.
Frankly, I'd rather have two Abu Mag-X C5s than one Calcutta.
To each their own, I guess.
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As far as baitcasters go, all I would ever buy are Abu's and Calcuttas (and maybe the daiwa lunas). Abu's are the best value for the dollar and are easy to maintain. Sure they may not be as bulletproof or smooth as a calcutta but if you want to spend more money on your rod and not a reel, there's no better choice IMHO. I picked up a C5 mag-X for 59.99 at Cabela's during their grand opening sale. I will be using it this fall as my calcutta finally needs service after 11 years of hard use.
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always a good thing to have 2 abus. While one is getting fixed, you can fish the other, then switch it up when needed. ;)
glad to hear your happy with them. While working in the tackle industry for over 6 years, i spooled many abu reels for customers, and dealt with numerous, uncountable warranty issues. For that reason, I wont go near them. In that time, I havent had a single calcutta issue. Cheaper shimano reels arent much better than abus though either.
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i have a abu 6600c4 and it works great... i reccomend it!
I havent had any faults with it, and has caught some good fish for me ;)