ABU reel modifications - beginner

Member Joined: Sep 22, 2008 Posts: 8

im looking to get my first multiplier for general clean/rough ground work i come from a coarse background so am considering a abu ambassidour 6501i or an 7001i Lefthand wind.
Ive read in previous posts how some reels can be used straight out the box , but i take it abu's can not , what modifications do i need to make to them , would it be something like removing the level wind for example, thanks

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 4:57 am

I have haad abu reels all my life and I have never had to make any mods to my reel. True a lot of folk remove the level wind to gain extre distance but why they don't purchase one without level wind to begin with beats me.

Its a shame so much waffle is passed onto newcommers. Cheers keith

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 9:17 am

Personally i wouldnt use an abu 6500 for rough ground work- a Penn 525 would meet your requirements as it casts well and can handle rougher ground but i dont think they do left handers. Perseverance would probably see you being able to use the right hander reels absolutely fine.

It is absolutely correct that some reels cant be used "out of the box" and it isn't waffle. They do need to be set up. With the 6500's you need to add or engage the break blocks (depending on age of model) and set the end tension / float correctly otherwise you're entering a world of trouble and pain if you're new to casting with a multiplier.

It's easier to get someone to show you rather than explain how to do this but if you need more help ask.

I really wouldnt bother getting a reel with level wind- just take the time to learn how to load your reel under tension

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 9:50 am

ct is without levelwind and if you do buy a abu and the brakes aint fitted its very simply , just undo the 3 screws on the end plate ( the handle side ) and then pull the plate off and on the spool your see 2 pins opposite eachother the little brakes slide on to them , then just put the side plate back on and job done , myself i repair and service abu reels for a selected few members and a levelwind would be best to start with as its gonna be your first muiti these is my reason why i say that >>> if your fish with a ct and you are bring the line you have to do a left and right movement to lay the line and ive done this and been excited as i had a fish on and not lay the line fully side to side which it can over wrap its self and cause problems on the next cast , also the levelwind is easy to remove on cs version and and mag version , if you do decided to go with a abu the main dealer and service centre is called( pure fishing ) very helpful also as john said the penn reels are very good for rough ground and i dont think they do left handed reels but could be wrong confused

.

Gary

Member Joined: Sep 22, 2008 Posts: 8

thanks for the replys,cheers gazza76 some good advice , im limited really in what reel i can get as it needs to be left hand wind ive used a right hand wind before for spinning for pike and couldnt get on with it. My choices are Shimano Corvalus , shimano cardiff, abu 6601 c4 LH and abu 7001i Left hand , am guessing the abu 7001 is probably going to be my best bet for clean / rough ground work

Member Joined: Sep 18, 2008 Posts: 45 Location: Wiltshire

Hi Crabline. I'm also in the market for a left-hand multiplier, but the choices are really limited as you've already pointed out. I really like the idea of Abu's mag-braked reel without the levelwind, but unfortunately it's not available for us south-paws.

I'm a bit of an odd one in that I cast right-handed, but reel left-handed. It's interesting that whenever you buy a fixed-spool reel, they come left-handed, and and right-handers have to change the handle over. Wierd eh?

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 6:59 pm

there's a few on ebay at the mo , 6501 c3

thanks
Gary

Member Joined: Oct 12, 2008 Posts: 51 Location: Sheppy

Hello everyone,
this is mainly for the lefthookers outthere Daiwa do a lefthanded 65 sized reel here /www.daiwasports.co.uk/products/sea/reels/427/2/millionaire-proteus
might be an option
seaferret