|
|
Posts: 4
| I promise I've used the search bar and scrolled through page upon page of threads. Just have a few questions to ask as about the c3 c4 upgrades. I should also note, these reels are all apart of my FIRST musky set up. Will be paired with a shimano consergence 8'6 xh and an 8'6 TI xh. As a newer angler you already know i hopped on the big rubber and dcg band wagon.
Just purchased the c3 off an ebay auction (used) for $65, and also a c4 (used) for $90.
Now as you've already read, I was very aware of some of the upgrades you can put in and on these reels. SS gears, ceramic pawl, boca bearings, power handle etc... you get where I'm going. So my big question is, CAN THESE REELS BE MODIFIED INTO BIG RUBBER/DCG REELS? I bought them used specifically to clean them up and modify them. The money saved from buying used that i would have spent buying new would go towards the mods. I enjoy the nerdy aspect of being able to tear these down easily for cleaning, maintenance, and of course MODS. But the more I read, the more I feel I might have made the wrong decision in buying these.
If these ARE IN FACT big rubber/dcg capable what would be a few of the main mods I would need to put on these? I read in old thread that i cant seem to dig up where a guy mentioned he replaced his sideplates with "anti-reverse' side plates (or something like that) that enable him to pull in big rubber and burn cowgirls. Can't seem to find these upgraded "sideplates" ANYWHERE. So what do you guys think? Cut my losses and sell these off and use the money towards say for instance an NaCl or BEAST? Or can I live out my dreams of modding these babies out?
*NO. I don't want to send these anywhere to be modded out. I want to do it myself. All thoughts, words, suggestions etc... are extremely appreciated. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 424
Location: MN | For a few years I used 3x 5500C3s for everything, including a lot of double 10 duty. I bought the three for $40/ea off Ebay and did sort of what you are looking at doing. IMO it's not worth it now. The gears wear out, anti reverse bearings and other pieces frequently break, you'll want a power handle for 10s which is another $20... add in carbon fiber drags and you're into them for $100/reel. When you look at the cost of upgrading and constantly buying parts it just isn't worth it compared to some of the options available now.
That's especially true when you consider that breaking down in the middle of a trip or season eats up valuable fishing time. It can be fun to clean and tweak during the winter when you have nothing better to do, but that's the last thing I want to be screwing around with in the middle of a week long fishing trip to Canada.
There are several alternatives that'll work as-is for just a little more $. Abu's new Maxtoro is available for $130 new online. You can find used Revo Toros for $120-140. At times the Toro S goes for $150ish online. The previous generation Okuma Komodos are around that on Ebay. Quite a few options under $150 if you look.
The C3s do work OK for light duty. If you are going to use them for harder pulling baits, the first thing I'd do is add a power handle. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 4
| nar160 - 10/25/2016 6:50 PM
For a few years I used 3x 5500C3s for everything, including a lot of double 10 duty. I bought the three for $40/ea off Ebay and did sort of what you are looking at doing. IMO it's not worth it now. The gears wear out, anti reverse bearings and other pieces frequently break, you'll want a power handle for 10s which is another $20... add in carbon fiber drags and you're into them for $100/reel. When you look at the cost of upgrading and constantly buying parts it just isn't worth it compared to some of the options available now.
That's especially true when you consider that breaking down in the middle of a trip or season eats up valuable fishing time. It can be fun to clean and tweak during the winter when you have nothing better to do, but that's the last thing I want to be screwing around with in the middle of a week long fishing trip to Canada.
There are several alternatives that'll work as-is for just a little more $. Abu's new Maxtoro is available for $130 new online. You can find used Revo Toros for $120-140. At times the Toro S goes for $150ish online. The previous generation Okuma Komodos are around that on Ebay. Quite a few options under $150 if you look.
The C3s do work OK for light duty. If you are going to use them for harder pulling baits, the first thing I'd do is add a power handle.
I was afraid of a response like this. But am thankful for it. Just another rookie mistake upon many. I didn't mention above but i was so head over heels with the idea of these abus I also won a BRAND NEW abu c3 on an ebay auction for $72 that hasnt made it to the mailbox yet. You pretty helped me make up my mind. I'll probably still take the used c3 and c4 out a couple trips before the boat gets put in storage for the winter. But after that I Guess I'll drop these in a couple different buy/sell/trade forums and see what i can come up with. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 8831
| I've had both the C3 and the C4. I agree with you that they are simple to take apart, maintain, and fix. Many of the parts are interchangeable. Parts are cheap.
I wouldn't use either for double 10's. The C4 has it's uses anywhere you'd use a high speed reel. Picks up line quickly, but as you'd expect does a poor job of pulling anything with resistance or anything heavy. The C3 is more versatile, maybe for smaller bucktails, spinnerbaits, etc.
I wouldn't get too discouraged - there was a time when these were what you bought when you wanted a musky reel and they did the trick. There are better choices for double 10's and big rubber for sure, but both the C3 and C4 do what they were intended to do quite well for the money. Good to have around for kids/women/unexpected guests or when a reel breaks and you need a backup. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 391
| While they won't do what you intended to do, the smaller baits and bucktails that don't pull like a bulldozer do still exist and catch fish. Who's ever heard of a Muskie fisherman with only one rod?! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 424
Location: MN | musky_junky - 10/25/2016 6:56 PM
I was afraid of a response like this. But am thankful for it. Just another rookie mistake upon many. I didn't mention above but i was so head over heels with the idea of these abus I also won a BRAND NEW abu c3 on an ebay auction for $72 that hasnt made it to the mailbox yet. You pretty helped me make up my mind. I'll probably still take the used c3 and c4 out a couple trips before the boat gets put in storage for the winter. But after that I Guess I'll drop these in a couple different buy/sell/trade forums and see what i can come up with.
To be clear, they do fine for light duty. I still have a couple C3s I use for gliders, wtd topwater, and a back up rod. For $72 new you're not going to find much better. It's just when you start adding in mods and a few years worth of parts it can get over $100 and there are other options in that range.
For big stuff, IMO it's better just going to the heavier duty reels. They do still break too, but less often, and the basic mechanical wear is slower. They're also easier cranking on hard pulling baits and more comfortable in your hand if you palm the reel. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 705
Location: Alex or Alek? | I started with a C3, it worked great as a starter reel. It worked great for what i needed and after i realized i was in the sport for the long haul i upgraded. Now my C3 is on my sucker rod. |
|
| |
