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Posts: 3920
| Well, winter has been long and I know I'm not currently on center, but I don't know just how far off line I'm cruising right now. Read this and let me know - should I seek professional help or hold out because spring is almost to the Northwoods.....
Last year at the Cass Monster Outing I asked Fishing Fool (Paul) his opinion on my very favorite reel, a 5600c4 w/ thumbar I use on my bucktail rod. Paul looked at the reel for a moment and said, "It's junk." Well, that was a harsh but honest response based on Paul's experience with a couple he's owned. I began having problems with the reel over the next 6 weeks, and it was really acting up when I was fishing in freezing/snowy weather in late October.
Over the winter I became more interested in "reel candy" (upgrade parts for reels) sold by Hatteras Outfitters in VA. A few weeks ago I let loose with a big order and when I came to my senses, sort of, I realized I had ordered about $75 worth of parts for a 2 year old reel that I only paid $70 for when it was new. When the parts came in I realized I had ordered everything BUT the two parts that I knew required replacement (prawl and worm gear). So I sent in a second order and now I'm up to $100 (the replacement worm gear is a dual bearing design). I'm hoping that, by the time I'm done, the reel will be MUCH better than what I can buy new for up to $150. I'm looking for greatly improved performance plus increased durability.
By the way, the parts I'll replace are: the 6:3:1 gears, all bearings, the drag washers, worm and prawl, and the housing that holds the worm gear. The new parts are supposed to be higher quality than the originals.
So waddya think? A worthwhile investment, or, would you have just bought a new Mag5 for around $100?
Hmmmmmm........ |
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Posts: 278
| Ranger:
You began your post by saying "my very favorite reel, a 5600c4 w/ thumbar I use on my bucktail rod." Obviously there is more at stake here than just a (as in any) reel and a $$ amount. The best new reel and all the money it takes to obtain it can't replace "favorite". I reckon you did the right thing for you and that particular reel. I most likely feel that way as I have a couple very old Ambassadeur reels which have cranked in many a fish over the years and no new reel could take their place in that regard. I have several newer versions which I'm certainly pleased with, but they don't and could never take the place of my old 5000s.
Forget about the dollars spent - your old tried and true friend is still going fishing with you. Some things are worth more than a specified $$ amount.
MLK |
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Posts: 1023
Location: Lafayette, IN | If I could've upgraded a $70 reel for $100, I would've gone ahead and spent the $200 and bought a Calcutta 400. But, like you, I'm nickle and dimein' myself into some major dollars. You're not alone, Ranger. |
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Posts: 131
Location: Kalamazoo, MI | Ive done the exact same thing, nearly. Ive got a c4-5601 that was my first musky reel. Picked it up last season (Ive only been chasing these guys since last august). After a partial season of fishing with it, I didnt really have any major complaints. It landed several fish, never gave me any problems, and was always very consistent. This year has been the big upgrade year for me. For the c4, I also got the pawl, worm with extra bearing, abec7s, ultra smoothies, and gave it the rocket fuel treatment (I didnt swap gears). Initially, when I first tried it out a couple of weeks ago after a long off season, I wasnt overly impressed, and wondered if I had made the right decision to blow all that money on a 'cheap' reel. Now that ive fished with it a few more times this year, I think things are starting to get broken in and it is quite smooth. As of right now, I would say its easily 3 times as smooth as it was when I bought it. It is by far my favorite reel. I picked up a daiwa cvx253la for tossing the 'finesse' musky lures like small reapers, tubes, etc as well as the big bass baits. The C4 doesnt come close to the smoothness in that thing, but for some reason, my 'go to' reel is still the c4. I also went to 65lb power pro this year as opposed to 50lb last year, and I think it actually casts better.
If I had it all to do over again, I cant honestly say for sure if I would go with a C4 souped up, a C5, or something more along the lines of a calcutta/cvz/etc. Ive never fished with anything other than the c4 and the cvx as far as baitcasters go, so my opinion is a pretty limited one. Id love to try out a calcutta, a catala, a cardiff, a daiwa cvz, a c5, a curado, et al. But as it stands, I am certainly not unhappy with the C4. |
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Location: Eau Claire,WI | Ranger,favorite things like reels,clothes and lures are hard to part with,kinda become a part of you/your family.They are your comfort zone when all else fails.I don't think you are crazy for doing it,you are just keeping the memories alive.Have a great season, |
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Posts: 259
| Yeh, all that stuff, and, it kept your mind occupied for a while in the off season! (PRICELESS) |
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Posts: 2754
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | Ranger- Nope, I don't think you're off center. Keeping your favorite equipment in tip top shape w/o regard to cost is not off center. Off center would be having the side plates engraved w/ muskie art & gold plated-then building a small shrine on your desk to hold it so you can view your favorite reel in the off season. Also if you're sleeping w/it, that may be a bit off center.;-) Al |
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Posts: 3920
| Thanks folks, I appreciate your encouragement. I'm very excited at the prospect of learning how to work on my own reels. The Hatteras guy is very helpful, and he stated that the 5000 and 6000 series Abus are really easy to maintain/upgrade. |
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Posts: 131
Location: Kalamazoo, MI | If you ever have any questions that hatteras cant get answered, and nobody here can help, drop John a line at http://www.heartlandtackleservice.com/
He also offers most of the 'reel candy' type products, and is a whizz when it comes to reels. Very friendly, very helpful, and he has comparable/better prices than hatteras!
Edited by spieg 4/4/2003 9:59 AM
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