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Posts: 151
Location: West of the metro, MN | I have an Abu C3 and C4 I hardly use anymore but keep for back up. I feel like I'd use them more if i could just make them more efficient, faster, and comfortable. I recently discovered you can modify these reels with bearings, gears, etc and I'm sure there are guys on here that are seasoned at it. So, what have you guys done? What works? |
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Posts: 260
Location: Almost Heaven | Just worked on 2 today. I put carbon fiber smooth drag washers in them. You also can put the ceramic spool bearings in them. Also upgrade the levelwind pinion with the bearing type. Those 3 things would cost somewhere in the 50 to 60 buck range. You can get good schematics by clicking on Planet Sea Fishing site. Hope any of this helps. |
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Posts: 2097
| Nice info there turkeyt! |
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Posts: 572
Location: Maplewood, MN | I'm looking to do the same thing with my C4. Great thread! |
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Posts: 260
Location: Almost Heaven | MuskieFever - 2/27/2013 10:45 PM
I'm looking to do the same thing with my C4. Great thread!
Check on the the reel models for the right part numbers to get the right Carbontex washers. Some reels use the same parts but check to make sure. The numbers are on the bottom of the reel bracket that fastens onto your rod. The older 6500C's take different drag washers than C3's . alantani.com has some good rebuild talk through sections with pics. |
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | My ABU 6500 reels have 11 bearings installed, I also change out the brake plate to run a backup pawl for the A/R Bearing. I get alot of the GOOD STUFF from UT Reel TEC. I like Stainless Steel ABEC 7 bearings and also run a Ceramic Drag and a Ceramic L/Wind Pawl. My 6500 will out cast any reel on the Market today. |
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Posts: 358
Location: London, England | It's just not worth it when you're casting heavy baits. You can upgrade all sorts of parts if it makes you happy, but you'll end up with a reel that's harder to control and not practical gains. If you were casting light baits, then it would be worthwhile, but for musky sized baits, I wouldn't bother. Been there and bought the T-shirt. |
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Posts: 1100
| The carbontex are nice, and i also installed a back up pawl in mine along with the power handle, but i Must agree with Tim Kelly, on all the ekstra bearings its just not worth the cost when throwing thing that weighs 3+ oz |
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | U guys are missing the point of the extra bearings, anytime U can add a bearing over a bushing you will have a smoother reel and you will not have to put as much effort into casting a bait the bearings in the reel will do the casting for you. Each there own like I said my 6500 reels are smooth as butter casting and retreiving. |
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Posts: 151
Location: West of the metro, MN | Are there any spools I could change out to get a faster retrieve? |
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Posts: 260
Location: Almost Heaven | Pikemaster, Is the 6500 your go to reel or do you just like to improve them? I read that your clients have you do their reel work for them and you are the man. I just want a 6500 that i can depend on to get a fish in the boat. Before i would put all the money in a 6500 to do all of the upgrades mentioned, i would go buy another Calcutta. |
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | Turkeyt - 2/28/2013 9:21 AM
Pikemaster, Is the 6500 your go to reel or do you just like to improve them? I read that your clients have you do their reel work for them and you are the man. I just want a 6500 that i can depend on to get a fish in the boat. Before i would put all the money in a 6500 to do all of the upgrades mentioned, i would go buy another Calcutta.
I'm 57 years old and when I was 10 years old my dad got me a 5500 for Xmas and he schooled me on how to cast the reel, so I'm very fond of the ABU reels. I have over 150 different ABU reels that I have got over the years.
My go to Reels I would say are my ConQuest reels, but I always have a ABU in the boat. |
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Reel tuning/mods