Super User DogBone_384 Posted March 20, 2015 Super User Posted March 20, 2015 Two actual reels that I do own that throw light weight better than a 50E supertuned, with no spool upgrade is... under 200 is ***, and over 200 is Helios Air. That's all throwing a 4" yum dinger wacky rigged weightless and a 1\8 ounce plus 2" grub on the same rod, line, etc... Good to hear. I have an A & E but haven't tried either on my ML casting rods. When it thaws out up here I'll give them a try.Thanks for the info. Quote
chelboed Posted March 20, 2015 Posted March 20, 2015 The shallow spool of the PXr is a huge benefit. The weight of the spool will keep it going when the wind slows your lure down. A light (shallow) spool will be less affected by momentum. A good magnetic brake will probably work better than centrifugal. -Lighter lures will slow down faster. -Good magnetic brakes will slow the spool down quicker so the slowing lure won't cause over run. -The lighter shallow spool will require less magnet to manage it. -Light line is very helpful too. Quote
fishangdood Posted March 20, 2015 Posted March 20, 2015 My 15-2500C's works pretty well for light baits and worms. Oldschoolbasser, have you messed around with the avail 1520 spools? Is the 4 point brake block on a 1500 with a 1520 spool better at casting 1/8 or less than the 2500 on a 2520 spool with the mag assembly and no brake blocks? I'm assuming there's not enough width on a 1500 spool to accomodate the magnet assembly seen in the 2500 series of the avail shallow spools. Quote
oldschoolbasser Posted March 20, 2015 Posted March 20, 2015 I have both the 1540,and 2540 spools on my 15-2500C's, and they work just fine. I haven't tried the magnetic brakes yet,but I want to give them a try. The 1520,and 2520 are a little too shallow, and don't have the depth to hold much line,even with 5lb floro. I've been using them for plastics, and darter heads since the late 70's, and they've never let me down. Out here in the West,1500-2500C's on a Phenix Dooldlin' rod was the hot set up, especially for vertical fishing. Fact is I still have 2 of those setups with me whenever I go fishing is a testament to their fish catching qualities. 1 Quote
fishangdood Posted March 20, 2015 Posted March 20, 2015 Oldschool, I'm still new to the Abu world of 15-2500 class reels and I know you've got some nice gear too, but so far these are mine from this class.  These are the 2500 c triplets.  Left is a ct ( blakdogtackle dumbell) conversion, stock spool/brake assembly, bigger blocks, and 4.7.  I plan on pairing it with an 8'6" medium light to medium just for giggles. I'd love the chance to cast a weightless fluke 40 yards when it gets warmer.  Middle is a 4.7, avail idler/worm housing/4 brake/big blocks/stock spool.  This will be paired with a medium 6'6" moderate fast; crank and frogging.  Last one is an avail 6.0/idler/worm housing/4 brake/big blocks/2520 spool/mag assembly.  I kid you not, with no tension on the mechanical  knob, you can whip 1/8 on a 7' UL rod 40+ ft and then hear the mag slowing down everything to a pause when eventually the bait just stops at its tracks and drops straight down.  The only way you can backlash is if you slap the water in front of you!  Btw, you're right about the 5.3 pinion, it's a no go with purefishing.  They did have the main gear though. I have both the 1540,and 2540 spools on my 15-2500C's, and they work just fine. I haven't tried the magnetic brakes yet,but I want to give them a try. The 1520,and 2520 are a little too shallow, and don't have the depth to hold much line,even with 5lb floro. I've been using them for plastics, and darter heads since the late 70's, and they've never let me down. Out here in the West,1500-2500C's on a Phenix Dooldlin' rod was the hot set up, especially for vertical fishing. Fact is I still have 2 of those setups with me whenever I go fishing is a testament to their fish catching qualities.  1 Quote
oldschoolbasser Posted March 20, 2015 Posted March 20, 2015 Nice set! I see you took off the star wheel so you can use a swept handle. If you use a Hawgtech, or Avail swept handle,you can still use the star wheel. Never tried the 4 brake blocks as I rarely use that much braking on my but I really want to try the Avail magnetic brakes. My next Custom 2500C is going to have pink side plates,and a chrome frame. I'll probably put all the bearing,and gearing upgrades, plus magnetic braking on that reel. Since Custom side plates are going to be available soon,I'll be concentrating on the little guys more than my 45-4600's. Keep up the good work fishangdood,and check out our FB group. We Who Loves the Abu Ambassadeurs. 6:1 Green 2500CI with swept star drag wheel,and handle. Custom 150C (Japan budget model) with 5.3:1 gears,ceramic bearings,and Avail spool. Lots of fun! 2 Quote
fishangdood Posted March 20, 2015 Posted March 20, 2015 Oldschoolbasser, That's boss.  Those plates- daaayum! I've 100% quit facebook for a while now, mostly to avoid my past.  I guess now it's time to make an exception and bust open a new account.  Those plates got me thinking.  I do have a hawgtech on the right reel, but only went that route since the drag settings are much more sensitive on that gear set.  After seeing that swept star, I plan on buying one for the middle one.  I normally use the starless knobs exclusively for the ct conversions.  Quote
oldschoolbasser Posted March 20, 2015 Posted March 20, 2015 If your reels don't have instant anti-reverse, the swept star drag wheels won't work. BTW,I have 4 more different color reels. Burgundy, Blue,Red,and Gold. Quote
fishangdood Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 If your reels don't have instant anti-reverse, the swept star drag wheels won't work. BTW,I have 4 more different color reels. Burgundy, Blue,Red,and Gold. Plates are in the planning book.   Yup, I'm partial to the classic red, original c4 blue, and the c5 mag green colors.  The boss rides higher on the iar models, the brake plate shaft post also rides longer, along with the longer drive shaft it requires. My middle one actually has the longer shaft for the iar plate, but it has the non iar brake plate. I had to drill tap a 3mm or so thread into the post to secure it with a washer and recessed screw. The D series drag knob I put on the middle one actually exposes the longer shaft just a wee bit when loosened all the way because of the shorter boss. It may sound crazy, but I might order an IAR gearside plate and then remove the iar just to have the longer boss; I just can't go back to the two pin ratchet of the original drive shaft.  The only one of mine with the IAR and matching components is the far right one. The left and middle were pretty much the spawns from my IAR build. Haha. Funny thing though, is that without the iar dog, it's pretty fun; kind of like a knuckle buster. I think I might remove the anti-reverse dog on the ct converted one; full manual control. Quote
oldschoolbasser Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 The Green, Red,and Blue plates will only fit the IAR models. As for finding a IAR brake plate,good luck,I've only been able to find used ones! You've got a lot of work in those reels. The BM's are a good base reel to upgrade,and the spool widths are comparable to the 15-2500C's. The C4 is another great reel to upgrade,and will give you a larger size reel for applications like cranks,and blades. Quote
0119 Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 Gee maybe I should stop fishing my 1500/2500's. They may be worth some serious trading fodder soon! Â 1 Quote
fishangdood Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 The Green, Red,and Blue plates will only fit the IAR models. As for finding a IAR brake plate,good luck,I've only been able to find used ones! You've got a lot of work in those reels. The BM's are a good base reel to upgrade,and the spool widths are comparable to the 15-2500C's. The C4 is another great reel to upgrade,and will give you a larger size reel for applications like cranks,and blades. Brake plates, yeah, I know for sure the gold ones are impossible new. I got lucky on the IAR plate, standard black, last January or maybe it was December, but that was from Purefising. Btw, the C4, is just another bag of addiction I've recently jumped head first into this past winter. Dadsoletackle can confirm, haha. 1 Quote
fishangdood Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 Gee maybe I should stop fishing my 1500/2500's. They may be worth some serious trading fodder soon!  I'm close to pulling the trigger on my gen3 stx-hs: carbent handle, premier spool, ivcb-vi brake system swap (including palm plate slide cam), and changed the knobs, thumb bar, and front cover plate to match the silver body. It's pretty much the Revo Elite 8, same specs: 8:1, ivcb-vi. The only difference is that the Elite has a shallower spool and the drag stack has the clicker like the revo inshore or the oldschool ambassadeurs.  I might post this onto the flea market forum for a 1600 or 1500 trade. Quote
oldschoolbasser Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 Looks good,great job! I have a black IAR brake plate too,just waiting to see if Simon is going to do Custom IAR sideplates, if so,I might do a CDL version. Me and Eddie at Dad's Ole Tackle are best buds! I get parts from him all the time. These reels are a lot of fun to fish with and upgrade. I'm working on a 2500C that a friend of mine sent me. It was in pretty bad shape,and it looked like the previous owner used silicone on some of the parts! There was grease everywhere, and all the parts were stuck together. Good thing I had a spare frame, and spool because the foot was broken off,and the side plates were trashed. This will definitely be a reel I will fish with,and not for my collection. I've also started upgrading my 80's Ambassadeurs, worm gear, cog wheels,sideplates,and handles. Also a Custom 4600D with a lightweight chrome frame. Just waiting for the spools im getting from Avail which are being specially built by the owner of the company. The 80's style reels have been overlooked by so many people,but are some of the best fishing reel around. 1 Quote
oldschoolbasser Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 New Alpha 105SH on a Jackall Bros Light Plugging Rod. Great for Flick Shaking,shakey heads, or other Finese worm applications 1 Quote
fishangdood Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 New Alpha 105SH on a Jackall Bros Light Plugging Rod. Great for Flick Shaking,shakey heads, or other Finese worm applications I'm diehard Abu but this Alphas is probably one the best straight out of the box deals. Â I know I saw it mentioned on this site with somebody scoring it for just under 200. Â I could imagine if Abu packaged the SX with a shallow spool, it'd be right around the the same class. Quote
oldschoolbasser Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 Get a shallow spool from Avail! BTW,j just found 2 sets of 5.3:1 gears,and chrome frames for a 15 and 2500C! Better play Lotto,it's my lucky day! Quote
fishangdood Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 I 've never ordered from Purefishing Japan, have you or do you know if they still carry the 5.3 and pinion. I got the main gear from the US, but not the pinion. I've gotta start looking overseas for more factory parts. Quote
oldschoolbasser Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 I have 2 sets (pinion and drive gear) coming from from Sweden. Quote
oldschoolbasser Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 Just upgrade the standard 1 pin drive shaft and 4.7:1 gears with a 4pin drive shaft and 5.3:1 gears. This reel is the finished project reel that started off as a junked 2500C that was so bad I had to replace most of the parts on it. I also upgraded the bearings and drag washer, now it looks and works like it should. Quote
Bassaholic84 Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 Revo STX....i can cast 1/8 oz baita with ease. But casting lures this light with baitcaster you need to know how to properly use a baitcaster and thumb the line. Loosening the spool tension and brakes will help cast light lures Quote
fishangdood Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 Just upgrade the standard 1 pin drive shaft and 4.7:1 gears with a 4pin drive shaft and 5.3:1 gears. This reel is the finished project reel that started off as a junked 2500C that was so bad I had to replace most of the parts on it. I also upgraded the bearings and drag washer, now it looks and works like it should. Aha, that's an old school lew childre handle, huh? Â My first 2500c was like that too. Quote
desmobob Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 I picked up a new Daiwa PX-R this winter. Â With the right rod, I'm hoping to be able to cast a size 22 Trico on a 7x tippet. Â Â Tight lines, Bob 1 Quote
oldschoolbasser Posted March 24, 2015 Posted March 24, 2015 Aha, that's an old school lew childre handle, huh? Â My first 2500c was like that too. Back in the day,this was the best upgrade for Ambassadeur reels. Inexpensive, easy to get,and worked great. I still have 4 handles on my reel. Quote
0119 Posted March 24, 2015 Posted March 24, 2015 I always thought they were the worst shaped most uncomfortable grips! Â To thin and the handle so short..... Â I still want to find a way to fit Revo eva style knobs on to the classic dimpled chromed brass handles, just cant find a source for posts. Quote
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