Super User clayton86 Posted March 16, 2011 Author Super User Posted March 16, 2011 yeah iv only looked at the abu reels mostly I usually skip over shimano in the bps catalog exept there spinning gear. Quote
bear7625 Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 I've invested in a few low profile reels over the years, but have 4 Ambassadeurs still in use. 5000- 1st free-spool reel. 46 years old and still in use. 5500 C3- Bought at garage sale for $7. Was in bad shape! Had it serviced for $25 and it's like new. 6500 C3- Still on one of my Musky rods. 2500 C- They don't make it anymore, but it remains my favorite. It always amazes me how many fishermen I talk to, still have at least one. Quote
Super User retiredbosn Posted March 16, 2011 Super User Posted March 16, 2011 I have 3 Abu 5600 EXT Pro's, they are a great reel. I stole mine for 70 bucks nib shipped. Quote
B-Dozer Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 I have 3 Abu 5600 EXT Pro's, they are a great reel. I stole mine for 70 bucks nib shipped. Always wanted to try an EXT, what weight lures do you use them for? Abu has a habit of dropping reels that I like, the C-5 for instance. Quote
Stasher1 Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 I have 3 Abu 5600 EXT Pro's, they are a great reel. I stole mine for 70 bucks nib shipped. Always wanted to try an EXT, what weight lures do you use them for? Abu has a habit of dropping reels that I like, the C-5 for instance. I had one on my cranking rod for a while and it really struggled to cast anything 1/4 oz or lighter. Quote
Blue Streak Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 My favorite is the old 4600CB, might be Abu Garcia's first narrow spool round reel. Very, very well built. Quote
mikeeasttn Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 I am like you Blue Streak. I have 3 of the 4600UC and use them for most of my fishing. They are very well built and mine are very smooth and they will handle anything you hook up with. There are large stripers in the lake I fish and they pose no problem for the 4600's and the narrow spools still hold enough line for the big fish. Quote
Flywatersmallie Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 I don't use them often, only because I like the palming aspect of lower profile reels a lot better. That said, I have a 5500 C4 on my swimbait rod. It could pull a truck out of the mud and even at that, the reeling is effortless and like has been said, it casts a mile Quote
Red Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 I used to use nothing but C3's. I made the switch to LP reels due to having some hand issues. However, I still have the issues so the larger size reel wasn't the problem. I got a C4 as a gift for Christmas this past year but I haven't decided on a rod for it. They are great reels for sure. Quote
iamfroggie Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 I have a Calcutta 200B that I use for salmon/steelhead fishing. Easy palming with the smooth side plate. Curados for my bass fishing. I had ABU 5000 and 6000 that I used in the late sixties through the eighties. Quote
0119 Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 I find the 4500/4600 width to be easier to palm than a low profile which is almost always wider. The 4500CB was a great reel, an odd for Abu disengaging levelwind. The C3's might still be made in Sweden but they dont seem as refined as they used to be. I will go to my dying day regretting I sold a a collection of every model available in the International series. The Pro Rocket and Pro Shop's were killer. Quote
Rangerjoe Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 I have sold off a number of round reels, but kept a few. 2 each Luna 103 2 each M3600 Morrum 1 each SX3600 Morrum 2 each 3600 Black Max 2 each 1600 Black Max 2 each 4600C4 upgraded to C5 2 each 4600C3 upgraded to C5 1 each 4600C5 Mag. I love them all Quote
B-Dozer Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 I have sold off a number of round reels, but kept a few.2 each Luna 103 2 each M3600 Morrum 1 each SX3600 Morrum 2 each 3600 Black Max 2 each 1600 Black Max 2 each 4600C4 upgraded to C5 2 each 4600C3 upgraded to C5 1 each 4600C5 Mag. I love them all Hey Rangerjoe, tell us about the luna 103. What you use it for mostly, lure weight, ergonomics. Thanks Quote
Rangerjoe Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 I love the little Diawa 103's, and have been using them as shallow to mid-depth crank bait reels 1/4 to 3/8 oz baits. I don't remember just what the IPT is, but think about 24 or 25 with a 5:8-1 ratio. The Mag Force Z is excellent, and if I didn't have some many reel I would be looking for another one. Quote
Super User .ghoti. Posted March 17, 2011 Super User Posted March 17, 2011 I still use the reel the Luna replaced; the Millionaire. I have two CV-X 103A's and a 253. The 103's are on my crankbait rods and the 253 is on my swimbait rod. I've tuned them up a bit; adding bearings, polished internals and TD-Z handles. The 103's are nice little round reels. The 253 is a tank. Quote
B-Dozer Posted March 18, 2011 Posted March 18, 2011 Hey Rangerjoe, how does the Luna compare to the Abu C-5 mag? I've been looking for a Luna but used ones are rare. More of a "want" not a need Quote
dave Posted March 18, 2011 Posted March 18, 2011 I have 3 Abu 5600 EXT Pro's, they are a great reel. I stole mine for 70 bucks nib shipped. Always wanted to try an EXT, what weight lures do you use them for? Abu has a habit of dropping reels that I like, the C-5 for instance. I had one on my cranking rod for a while and it really struggled to cast anything 1/4 oz or lighter. I agree about the struggle. I always wanted one. I picked up a used one. After half a season, it would lock up once in a while if I made too quick of a turn of the handle after a cast. I would have to slap it on the side plate and it would free up. I sent it to ABU who in turn sent me a Record 40. That is a NICE reel. Quote
Super User OkobojiEagle Posted March 18, 2011 Super User Posted March 18, 2011 What are the differences between the 4600UC and 4600C3? steve Quote
Rangerjoe Posted March 18, 2011 Posted March 18, 2011 My understanding of the difference betwwen a C3 and a Ultra Cast is that the Ultra Cast has at least one really large bearing similar to the M3600 Morrum. Because of the size of the bearing they are not very good with light lures. There was a conversion kit for the Morrum to convert the oversize bearing to a standard size bearing, both of my M3600 have this conversion. Quote
steezy Posted March 18, 2011 Posted March 18, 2011 I have a round diawa pluton that I use for large swimbaits. Its an awesome reel that casts like a dream. Quote
Rangerjoe Posted March 18, 2011 Posted March 18, 2011 Difficult to really compare a Luna with a C5 Mag, but I will try. 1. Luna machined aluminum frame and side plates. The C5 mag not the same construction. 2. The C5 Mag has the magnetic adjustment at the top of the palming side plate. If you palm the reel, I do, you may find yourself moving the magnetic adjustment. 3. I perfer to convert the C3 and/or C4 to C5 worm gear. Hope this helps. Oh the C5 Mag color is cool. ;D Quote
Super User Micro Posted March 19, 2011 Super User Posted March 19, 2011 My Shimano Calcutta 200GTB. Casts as well as any LP I have, and will outlast them all... Quote
Super User J Francho Posted March 19, 2011 Super User Posted March 19, 2011 Micro, that sweet reel needs some bling Quote
Vafthrudnir Posted March 19, 2011 Posted March 19, 2011 Another big round reel fan here. I also have the TDLuna 103 and it's on my main crankbait rod. I've got an assortment of older Abus, and one little crown jewel, the Shimano Conquest 50. I had a Calcutta 200B and I'm not sure why I sold it. That thing cast like a champ. I think in all I have 6 round reels and 5 low profile reels. Like them all, but the round reels are my sentimental favorites. Quote
Steve1357 Posted March 19, 2011 Posted March 19, 2011 I give up on newer reels, returning to Abu round reels. I believe the trick is to clean them yourself with attention being paid to oil and grease in the right spots. I throw 1/8 jigs with them. Some reels used bushings instead of bearings, bearings are cheap, change them yourself. vxb.com has bearings very inexpensive. And mine are mostly lower speed 4.7:1 cranks. Quote
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