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Message Subject: Abu 5600 EXT-PRO

MuskieE

Posted 12/10/2008 7:51 PM (#349104)
Subject: Abu 5600 EXT-PRO

Posts: 2068

Location: Appleton,WI

How are the pro's and con's for this reel.Thinking about picking on up.

OscarTFish

Posted 12/10/2008 8:06 PM (#349107 - in reply to #349104)
Subject: RE: Abu 5600 EXT-PRO

Posts: 81

Location: NEW

The EXT series is being discontinued. You should be able to find one for cheap. The 6600s have more line capacity bad I don't know how bad you really need a magnetic break on a musky reel. I bought the last 2 at a place in Appleton at closeout price last week. They seem pretty sweet and pretty heavy duty. They're super smooth but I guess I wont know until next year how good they are. I've read and heard good things about them.

MuskieE

Posted 12/10/2008 10:41 PM (#349132 - in reply to #349104)
Subject: RE: Abu 5600 EXT-PRO

Posts: 2068

Location: Appleton,WI

Are these a spin off of the morrum series,I believe those where a one piece aluminum frame.ect..ect..

OscarTFish

Posted 12/11/2008 5:47 AM (#349147 - in reply to #349132)
Subject: RE: Abu 5600 EXT-PRO

Posts: 81

Location: NEW

They replaced the Morrum. I don't think they're making a high-end reel any more, except the Record, which is also a fine reel.

R_Manthei

Posted 12/11/2008 8:33 AM (#349165 - in reply to #349104)
Subject: RE: Abu 5600 EXT-PRO

Posts: 3

Yes, these reels are discontinued. I used them for a year prior to release....couldn't hold up to muskie fishing.

This is why ABU spent their time wisely and have come up with the ABU REVO TORO. These reels come in 2 sizes(basically a 5500 and 6500 size) and 2 gear ratios. 5:4 to 1 and 6:4 to 1. These are the "reel" deal. Look for them this winter and they are coupled with a free polarized glasses promotion.

Rob Manthei

knooter

Posted 12/12/2008 6:15 PM (#349457 - in reply to #349104)
Subject: Re: Abu 5600 EXT-PRO

Posts: 531

Location: Hugo, MN

I'd have to agree with Rob. Nice reels, but not built heavy enough for musky fishing in general. I used one for double tens with a power handle, and it worked great...for about a month. If it were just for topwaters or smaller bucktails, I'd imagine it could hold up, but not built for the big stuff.
I saw the 5600 EXT for $90 last week. Great price on a nice reel. If you wanted to use it for smallies or something it would be a great deal. I was tempted to pick one up for just that.

PIKEMASTER

Posted 12/12/2008 10:46 PM (#349490 - in reply to #349104)
Subject: RE: Abu 5600 EXT-PRO

Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160

I have a REEL REPAIR shop, I have seen alot of reels in the last 10 years of super tuning them and cleaning them. NO fresh water reel will last casting and burning size 10/13 bucktails all day long, period. You will need a TRINIDAD or a SALTIGA H.D. saltwater reel to burn size 10/13 bucktails all day long. I got to use a ABU TORO 50 & 60 last fall, preproduction reel, and let me tell you theses reels are built like a tank !!!!! The main gear is over 40mm in size, and the pinion gear is massive in size to any freshwater reel out there today, the reel has 7 bearings, carbontex drag washers & 24lbs of drag !!!!!!!!!!!! Dont lock - down this drag, most reels today will have only 9-14 lbs max if that. This reel also has a 6 pin centrifugal brake system, and a SNCHRONIZED level wind !!!!! Inside the reel is all metal, no plastic plates like alot of reels today. If something should go wrong with the reel ABU has all the parts in stock here in the U.S.A. Two years ago when the 10 blades came out I was using a 400TE and a LUNA 300, both reels gave out in a month of burning size 10 blades all day long. Now I use a TRINIDAD 16N that has 46" line pickup for them and this winter had to replace the the gears in it, because the size 10/13 blades put that much stress on the brass gears. I have been waiting for a long time for a LOW PROFILE reel that will hold 150 yds of 80lb braid. No one reel can do it all for the musky guy, but the TORO is one of the best all around reels you can buy today.

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