Abu 6500c for 6-9 inch swimbaits?

[BlakeMolone]

Would a 7"6 Heavy action lightning rod with an abu6500 be a good setup for 6-9 inch soft plastic swimbaits with 1/4(mabey more) ounce weighted hooks or do I need a 5500 sized reel. Also im thinking about 17 pound florocarbon.

[retiredbosn]

The 6500 series reel is a larger capacity spool reel than the 5600. Sometimes but not all always the gears are bigger and the reel is all around beefier, other times the gears, etc interchange. What Abu series are you talking about, EXT, Record, C3, C4, D5, etc. That will help give you a more informed answer.

Someone will be along shortly to tell you that you need a heavier pole, but I am not versed enough to give an opinion.

[BlakeMolone]

6500c it holds 230yds of 14lb test

[Micro]

I think the 6500 is overkill for all but the biggest bass swimbaits.  For 6-9 inch soft plastic swimbaits I'd go with a 5600 series.  It will hold all the line you need.  

[retiredbosn]

213 yards of line weighs a lot and will hamper your casting ability.  For baits that weigh in excess of an ounce or better the reel would be fine, but for lighter weight sb the 5600 will be a better suit.  BTW Micro and a couple others are the Abu round reel gurus.  The advice they have given me has been spot on.

[BlakeMolone]

Thanks! does the rod sound about right for plastic swimbaits? I dont want to buy an 150 dollar rod just for swimbaits.

[Micro]

Fishing soft plastic swimbaits is a technique I don't know much about.  Maybe someone else will chime in here.  

[Randall]

Soft plastic swimbaits could mean a lot of things and could be anything from a light paddle tail type bait to a heavy trout type bait. Be more specific in which baits you will or might be using and it will be easier to give you some help.

[BlakeMolone]

Lake fork shad, bass magics and paddle tails similar to bass magic. Thanks for the help guys! 8-)

[Randall]

You don't need the larger 6500. Go with the smaller reel for those baits. Unless you plan on throwing them on 25lb+ test the 5600 will hold plenty of line. That rod will work also.