Abu Pro Max

[pwall90]

hey everyone i have an abu garcia pro max reel and i was wondering if there was anything i could do to get better casts out of it ?

maybe a new type of bearing or a certain type of lube because iv been using reel butter .

thanks

[pwall90]

nvm it was the magnets in it causing problems i had to do a little shiving of the plastic where the two springs and screws are . this can be deleted now

[BobP]

There have been several iterations of the Abu Pro Max, beginning in the late 1960's. I have several early 1600 and 3600 models, which are small round reels, painted silver, with 8 ball bearings. If that's your model, they can be upgraded with 3x10x4mm ABEC7 spool bearings, same size as used in the old Curado CU200's. Over and above that, you can make them cast a much better with some minor adjustments. First, use a thinner bearing oil like Yellow Rocket Fuel in the 2 spool bearings. The Reel Butter oil is good stuff, but not optimum for high speed spool bearings, IMO. Then, use one white or 2 black brake blocks on the 2 centrifugal brake posts. Polish the centrifugal brake drum with brass polish to a high gloss and wipe a drop of bearing oil around it afterward. After that, it's a matter of setting the cast control knob. Loosen the knob until you can get a slight play in the spool when you push it to one side. The only cast control applied will be the slight pressure provided by the wavy brass washer under the right side spool bearing. Do not overfill or underfill the spool with line; it should be about 1/16" below the spool lip. Once you set up a Pro Max like this, you will be surprised how far it casts, and with little if any thumb control. I'm basically a Shimano guy but the old Pro Max reels cast and retrieve as smoothly, as far, and with fewer backlashes than any Shimano I've ever owned. They were high quality reels in the 60's that retailed for $169 and came with a lifetime warranty. How many other reels do that?