Abu/Shimano

[KingFisher85]

What do you think is better, Abu or shimano baitcasting reels. I think Abu baitcasting reels are the best of the best but other people think that Shimano reels are the best of the best.
So what do you think? Abu or Shimano?? :whazzup:

[King13fisher]

Can't go wrong with either in my opinion. I run a Shimano calcutta on my steelhead rod, and an Abu ambassador 6500C on my salmon.
Love em both.

[Thumper]

The Abu Ambassadeur reels are marvelous reels, although they are kinda antiquated in design. They have the advantage in salt water of having fewer ball bearings (which hate salt water). But they don't even come close to the smoothness and precision of the newer baitcasters, at least in my opinion. I'll take a 5500 C anytime though for pulling plugs as they are easy to measure line from as the levelwind mechanism tracks across the reel face.

[DAB]

I have 2 shimano 201 SG Bantam mag's that I use for steelhead, Love the heck out of them, as the saying goes " learn to wade or learn cast" since I don't like to wade much over my knees, I learnd to cast and the 201's have been the best ones that I could get several years back. I do have an ABU 6001C that will cast a large snap swivel about 30 feet using 50 lb tuff line. The nice thing about level winds is that you can always put on new line down at the river with out any twisties in the line, I have nevr been able to put line on a spin cast reel by winding it on like reeling in a fish ------IT GETS ALL TWISTED UP.--- If some one could tell me how to do it without all the twisties I would be glad to learn a new trick.
Roller bearing reels work the smoothest.
Enough rambling.
DAB

[Drachir]

I've got several of both brands. I can't say anything bad about any of them. They all have their place and time, and are great reels. :grin:

[Keta]

I have several of both and like them all.

[Sturgeonbait]

I say go with a abu I heard of Shamp's Breaking on people

[BigSpinner]

Both are great but it seem's that shimano has a few better reels more money but great reels. That have some new stuff, like the super free system, vbs weight system, wiffle spool, a magnesiun spool on the calais cl-200mg-5, a magnesium frame on the chronarch 100mg, and more. But they are great reels and will both catch lots of fish.

Jeremy,

[fishisabonus]

Oh Goodie.. my little Kingifisher is going to get his Mom a really nice reel for Christmas! He was the only one who listened when I said I wanted a leatherman. Now he is shopping for a reel; bet he has the pole all picked out too. :grin:

Give him some really good advice boys (and girls too).

[Trout,myster]

Kingfisher, you'll probably get some milage out of this post. I have both brands and, like others, I really like both. The Curados are alot of reel for the money. Only bad thing about Shimanos is the lack of parts after a few years. You can still buy parts for old ABUs. The new ABUs (like the EON) you have to watch for plastic parts. Older and some of the more spendy models are all metal and superb. Still, ABU has a hard time matching the smoothness of a Shimano. Buy your favorite of each and you won't go wrong. :wink:

[Stew]

I think the Shimanos are a better reel these days. Go back 25 years though and the old ABU's were the best reel ever made. They were both rugged and dependable plus very easy to get parts for! in fact you can still get parts for them. The new ABU, while still a good reel, are not nearly as good as the 70's vintage Ambassadeurs. The Shimano are as Jack said very smooth and the drags are excellent! The exception to this of course is the Corsair model which is junk. The old Bantam series by Shimano was an excellent reel also but just try to find spare parts for them.
I love to work on reels and have rebuilt several of the old ABUs.
Since I very rarely fish saltwater I wouldn't know about how well they hold up out there.

[Wild Bill]

KF85:

I maybe a bit biased since I used to be the factory rep for ABU Garcia in the NW. Thumper is right if you are going to use them in salt water Garcia will hold up much better and if you need to replace drags etc., they are much, much easier to work on. The new ambassadeur's are much improved ie; better drags, instant anti reverse and well I could be here all night. Garcia is a great reel and Shimano ain't that bad either. Good luck on your purchase. :cheers:

Wild Bill

ps I don't have anymore samples, I just sold the last one I am going to sell to Steve and I better not catch him snooping around in my garage again. :grin:

[OldRedSled]

no contest...shimano calcutta TE for salmon and the TE/GT for steelhead. SImply the smoothest reels in history period!

ORS

[Joe]

I have been happy with all my C3 and C4 ABU's but I wouldn't wish an EON on anyone!
I purchased three when they came out and all three failed in short order and where returned.

[BigSpinner]

I got the eon when it came out and it is not very good i would not get that reel again.

Jeremy

[Hawaiian Time]

Having used ABU reels for most of my 30 years fishing, I believe that for the average joe it does anything you want them to do. Now, having said this, I tried the 400 calcutta and found it to not only have a superior drag system but it feels better in my hand. I now own 4 of them and in my opinion, if you can afford the $199 price tag, I would go with the calcutta. But remember, that you can almost buy 3 6500C3's to one 400 calcutta.

[steelheadslayer]

I've got a couple of each and my 5500 and 6500 C3 get a lot of use and abuse and have never failed me. Shimanos are real NICE but I just can't afford them on a regular basis. Plus, my Abu's are easy to take apart and clean up myself. My 2 pennies. :smile:

[Small Fry]

I'm a thumber, I alway have to have my thumb on the spool. I can do it no problem with my 6501. But the shimano line release is in the way. I think the shimano has a smoother but not worth the extra $$$$$.

[John]

Both are great reels. For boat trolling I fish the trophy series Abu reels. I use them for sturgeon in Astoris as well. Awesome reels never had a problem. For casting and Steelhead fishing I use Shimano. They are great reels equally. I own a few Abu 5500's as well. I also have a Shimano Calais for steelhead and four Calcuttas and a couple of Corsairs. I have not had any problems with either manufactuer, but when comes to casting the Shimano is way better hands down. But when comes to just plain tough rugged reel you can't beat the Abu's

[Wright Angle]

I have Ambassadeurs 6500 and Shimano reels that I've used for years, both very good reels. OK here goes, :smile: I know people will not like this very much but I bought a new Daiwa Millionaire CV-Z 300A that I love, now 10 years ago I would not give you a dollar for the old Millionaire but the new Millionaire is hands down the nicer reel for the money that I found, here goes again IMHO I think it's a better reel then the Shimano calcutta. I compared the two before I bought. Side by side. The Calcutta is a very good reel but the Millionaire CV-Z is nicer. :grin:

X-Treme Performance System 6 Ball Bearings Plus 1 Roller Bearing
Frame & Sideplates Are Precision Machine Cut From Solid 5056 Bar Stock Aluminum
Hard Anodized Frame & Sideplates
Machined Aircraft Aluminum Spool
X-Treme Drag System With 7 Drag Washers Teflon/graphite composite discs (very Smooth)
Titanium Nitrided Stainless Steel Line Guide

[Keta]

Wright Angle,

Some people buy Chevys too :grin:

[DJFISHS2XS]

I Have 2 calcutta's about 20 lexicas (I used to tourny bass fish) a new reel called a catala, and my egg driften reel is a calayx, all made by shimano, (stay away from the corsairs they slip while fighting fish), but I think shimanos are the best built for the money. ask at you local tackle store what comes back more often, Here on whidbey its abu's. One reel that should be mentioned that is outstanding but a little expensive is the small gold real that penn makes....DJ

[Wright Angle]

Yes Keta, some of us are naturally drawn to quality things, I am a Chevy Man. :grin:

My dad was a Ford man and he always told me that you couldn't beat a Ford!

And I knew exactly what he was talking about...They just can't take it!
:shocked:

[ 09-17-2002, 09:12 PM: Message edited by: Wright Angle ]

[snit]

For steelheading, I love my Shimano 250's, only that parts aren't available. Now for salmon fishin' in the boat, I've had the best success with 6500's. Both 6500 reels have caught a couple of hundred salmon the last 2 years, with NO failures. I can't say that for my Calcutta 400. Mine was a piece of crap!!! After several trips to the factory, they sent me a NEW reel in the box. I don't need it, so if anyone wants it, I'll sell it for $175.00 (shipping included)

[Nate]

Considering the cost of calcutta vs abu garcia 6500 I can afford to break a few reels. Abu is my choice

[CATCH AND EAT]

Stay away from the Shimano Corsair. No good in the salt water at all. The AMbass 6500 and 5500 work great. Stick with those. Easy to repair too.