Which Abu 6500 for Springer's

KilgoreTrout · 02-09-2001, 08:03 AM

This will be my first spring chinook season and am looking to get a reel for them. I have seen many post about Abu-Garcia 6500's as a reasonably priced reel to do the job. Looking at there web site they had several flavors of this reel: C4, UltraCast, etc.
Is there a preference on the particular model. I saw a post last week about a "Tournament Pro" 6500 but did not find that on their website.

Tight Lines

Dave

Salmonator · 02-09-2001, 08:15 AM

even the lowly C-3 will give you many years of service and a smooth drag. Joe

WaterDog · 02-09-2001, 08:48 AM

I've got a couple of c-3's and will get a couple more this year. Price is good and for me they have always performed very well.

Artwo · 02-09-2001, 08:52 AM

I've used the c-3's exclusively for a few years now, great reel for the price.

JK

Trick · 02-09-2001, 09:00 AM

Another vote for the c-3. Good gear ratio, built like a tank, I've abused mine way beyond what any reel of any price should be and it keeps on rollin'. Opt for the 6501 model if you retrieve with your left hand. Also, I don't know if they still do it, but Fred Meyer used to print a 20 or 25% off coupon in their tide books for Garcia reels. Might be worth a look if your looking to save money. Good Luck.

WheresMyBobber · 02-09-2001, 09:18 AM

6501-C3. Got three of them and will be buying another for the rod I bought yesterday. They've worked great for me for springers, upriver brights, fall fish at the coast, and of course steelhead.

I've still got an old 6001 that's taken quite a lickin, and keeps on tickin. With regular reel maintainence, they'll last a long time, and you shouldn't have any problems.

Bait O' Eggs · 02-09-2001, 09:19 AM

I saw a Fishermans Marine add yesterday in the paper that was a buy one get one free on ABU 5500 series reels. They were asking 99 and change if I remember correctly for the first one though.

THE REEL HEY_YALL · 02-09-2001, 09:56 AM

BOE--that's not a great deal at Fishermen's Marine. A 5500 is around $55 by itself, sometimes less.

I own a 6500C3 and I love it. I haven't been yarded (spooled) yet. That and the reel is mounted on a 10 foot pole..muh ha ha ha ha ha ha ha muh ha ha ha muh ha ha ha

The C4's have a higher gear ratio which would be good if you were float fishing for springers.

Mrdorkfish · 02-09-2001, 10:22 AM

I use the 5501 for everything....Great reel and i believe the special on 5500's for $99 is the one that has a antibacklash feature....so it's "special"

Mrdorkfish

[This message has been edited by Mrdorkfish (edited 02-09-2001).]

Barnyard · 02-09-2001, 10:41 AM

I've got a C-3 and an ultra cast 5600. Like the ultra because it has the thumb bar release. This helps if your bounceing lead. You can let out line with out takeing your hand of the motor...

Drifty · 02-09-2001, 01:31 PM

Abu Garcia also has a coupon on thier web site for the buy one get one free deal.

Fishplay · 02-09-2001, 03:47 PM

Gi joes is sporting that buy one get one free deal also. I'll stick to my 6501-C3's. Anybody know anything about the Quantum reels Joes has on sale for 29.00. Thought it might make a good steelhead or shad reel.

------------------
FISH!........GET IN THE BOAT!!!!!

Spooled · 02-09-2001, 05:21 PM

Dave,
I have a 6600 Tournament Series and like it. The difference between it and a 6500 is 1 more bearing and a 1 piece aluminum housing. It also has a thumb bar cast release. I purchased it from Fisherman's Factory Outlet, which is ABU/Garcia and Berkeley's own outlet store. You can see them at www.ffo-tackle.com

The reel B.O.E. saw is the anti-backlash version which usually runs about $99.00, so two for that price is a good deal. I think you can bypass the anti-backlash feature.

Fishplay, I think those Quantums are a good deal for the price. I bought some at Thanksgiving they were blowing out for $19.00 (different from the ones they showed in the add) and they seem to work fine. They are all left hand retrieve.

Mikie · 02-09-2001, 06:13 PM

Hey Kilgore I fish C-3's for springer's and fall chinook , and for sturgeon on the yaquina , pretty much sum's it up . got one that's 15+ year's old and it's still catching fish. C-3 get's my vote.

MIKIE.

OneLastCast · 02-09-2001, 10:18 PM

Just got back from the sportsman show...it was great.
Bought 2 6501 TCS's (Trophy Collection Series) for $77.00 each at the Fishermans Marine booth, on sale. Bought the wife one for chinook fishing on the Nehalem last year and it is a great reel. Normally sells for around $100.00.

OneLastCast

Fishhead · 02-09-2001, 10:31 PM

Fishplay, I checked out those reals at EIO's and they are pretty nice for the bucks! I bought one of the ones they had on sale during the holidays for 19 bucks and some change. Not a bad little real for how little I payed. Its SMOOTH and have'nt had any problems with it yet. Kilgore go for the 6501 left handed crank you won't be sorry....Fishhead Vic