I was just doing some browsing online and notice that abu-garcia doesnt seem to have the following it once did. What gives? I have used the 5000 or 5500 size c series reels for most of my life and have never had a problem. I have yet to break one and my newest is roughly 8 years old. I have used them for trolling, bass fishing, walleys, and mostly muskie. Granted i clean and lube them yearly, but im curious as to any problems you all may have encountered. The main thing i like about them is parts availability and how easy they are to work on if a problem does arise.
As i said i use the 5k size which is small (i palm the reels) and have yet to disable one, and i throw alot of heavy baits. Am i missing somthing or am i lucky?
i am no expert on the subject but i think that they changed from metal gears and things to plastic ones which break a lot easier. My abu reels only last me a couple seasons but I wear on them A LOT. They are good reels, but i feel numerous other brands are coming out with better reels for around the same price.
On the new C series baitcasters, they are exactly the same except for a six pin brake as opposed to a two pin brake. Only reason i know this it that i picked one up for a friend who is planning to try his hand on the spring walleye run with me on the detroit river. The only weak piont i have ever seen fail is the levelwind pawl. I light coat of mobil one axle grease takes care of though!
I dont want to sound like i own stock in the company, but if there is a better option out there i want to know! [smilie=thk.gif]
I quit them when on a one week trip I had six reels that were broken for one reason or another. I've ripped handles right off the axle stripping the threads, broken the paddles, ruined gears, broken clutch springs, etc., etc. With the newer 6500 reels (last ten years) I was ruining one every one or two seasons.
I just got tired of working on them, it's no fun to get home and have to spend an hour fixing reels just so you can fish the next day. Granted I'm not easy on reels at all, my reels get 100+ hours on each reel every season. Many of the lures I fish with eat gears and anti-reverse bearings alive. So I decided that I was going to get reels that were basically disposable. That lead me to the Pflueger Trion or Gander GS66, since I knew replacement was over the counter. Well… after two seasons I've had one problem with six of those reels. Unforunately Gander is changing to a different reel manufacturer and have discontinued that reel. I'll be changing over at some point to the Okuma Induron or Isis when I need new reels.
I've taken the same route as Will here. I also use the Pflueger reels but with the BPS Pete Maina Signature Series label (so I can get the rod and reel combo). BPS has great customer service (as does GM) and these reels are easy to work on. I've had quite a few break downs but they are normally repairable and, when they aren't, I return them and get a brand new one sent to me for just the cost of shipping.
I would guess that pawls/crawlers/worm gears can break down on any reel. There is a plastic idle gear in the Pfleuger gear that occasionally strips but is pretty easy to fix. I have a number of these parts on hand so I can fix them readily during the season. If you cast enough, eventually all reels will break down. The biggest thing I've found that helps is to keep them clean. I have covers on mine to keep the dust and dirt out when traveling.
Back to the Abu thing… I have a bunch of them as well and use to like them a lot…. but, the customer service thing has seem to gone out the window. Their parts are really expensive and, if you return a reel for repair/replacement, expect to get it back with a big bill (unless you have good proof of it being under warranty). Also, they are more difficult to work on. I had a couple break down and couldn't fix them so I sent them in and got them back for about 70 dollars. I'm sure I would have gotten new ones sent to me from BPS for free. That was the end of me buying Abu's until they change the way they are running things.
Speaking of reels… I just picked up an Induron @ Gander. Buuuuut, I'm worried I didn't get a big enough one. I got the 250. Anyone have any predictions how long that will last? I couldn't turn it down, tho. Price tag was $110. I had a coupon for 20% off bringing down to $90. Then, turns out, it was already on sale for $80, and this was the last one without a box. Ended up walking out of the store paying $56~ with the additional 10% off for no box.
Ive been fishing the Record for the last two years. I am on my 5th and 6th reels. Anti reverse went out on the first two in one year. Thesecond two in 3/4 year. I have three new ones now. All under warranty. Spirit lake says they have fixed the problem. We will see. I dont have any more 5500 c-3's. I have one 6500 c-3 and one 6500 c-4. Both in good shape. They are my backups. My wife is having great luck with the ST. Croix reels. Both 250 and 300 series. We have three years on them so far and no problems. If the Records fail this year they are gone. Mike and Michelle
"Jim tenHaaf" said:
Speaking of reels… I just picked up an Induron @ Gander. Buuuuut, I'm worried I didn't get a big enough one. I got the 250. Anyone have any predictions how long that will last? I couldn't turn it down, tho. Price tag was $110. I had a coupon for 20% off bringing down to $90. Then, turns out, it was already on sale for $80, and this was the last one without a box. Ended up walking out of the store paying $56~ with the additional 10% off for no box.
You got a great deal!
That reel is perfect for small baits. Put it on a heavy flippin stick with 65# braid and it will be perfect for baits like 6" jakes, 6" grandmas, jigs, etc.
Like Kingfisher said, I too have enjoyed the St Croix 300 series and had no difficulties for 3 years now. There is a part inside it, however, that after removal the casting distance will increase with no consequences to the smooth operation. I got that tip from Chuck Brod, reel repair man extraordinaire and adviser to R & H Musky Shop.
Also, I have used the Abu Record for 3 years and haven't had problems…
(knock on wood). My real "workhorse" reel for the heavy resistance lures is the 7000 Abu. Again, no problems and I've used it for 5 years.
I'm about to audition my Gander GS66 this year after gathering dust for a year. I hope it performs as well as others say it does. Good Luck!
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