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Posted: 3/5/2015 4:01:39 PM EDT
[#1]
Yes, they are the perfect catfishing reel.
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Posted: 3/5/2015 4:04:53 PM EDT
[#2]
I'm not a fan of the round profile, but they're a workhorse.
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Posted: 3/5/2015 4:06:20 PM EDT
[#3]
You don't need a baitcast reel for catfishing.
But, I have a couple Abu round reels, and I like them for bass fishing the banks and brush--heavy Carolina or Texas rigs. They're kind of old school. All metal, very smooth I'd bet they'd hold up just fine, but mine are 20 or so years old. New ones may be Chinese. |
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Posted: 3/5/2015 4:13:04 PM EDT
[#4]
I use the 5600 BCX models for catfishing all the time. They're great.
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Posted: 3/5/2015 4:16:10 PM EDT
[#5]
Thanks
6500s were what I was looking at |
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Posted: 3/5/2015 4:24:01 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Thanks 6500s were what I was looking at Great for any big fish. I use them for cats and big Stripers |
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Posted: 3/5/2015 4:26:22 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Great for any big fish. I use them for cats and big Stripers Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Thanks 6500s were what I was looking at Great for any big fish. I use them for cats and big Stripers I have a pair on graphite rods for striper fishing. |
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Posted: 3/5/2015 4:26:46 PM EDT
[#8]
The 6500 series should have a bait clicker switch and that feature makes them perfect for how I fish with live bait.
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Posted: 3/5/2015 4:27:55 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Yes, they are the perfect catfishing reel. this |
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Posted: 3/5/2015 4:29:06 PM EDT
[#10]
I have several.
Like a swiss watch. Don't get the base model. You want 3 bearings or better. It used to be C3's, C4's, and C5's, not sure what they're called now. |
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Posted: 3/5/2015 5:10:17 PM EDT
[#11]
Great reels
I have one of the older C3s and a 6500 CS Mag. I prefer the low profile Revo line, however the Abu round reels are awesome workhorses. Smooth like a sewing machine and have never gave me a lick of trouble. |
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Posted: 3/5/2015 5:13:27 PM EDT
[#12]
I use them and large surf casting spinning reals behind the locks. Excellent drag and I've never stripped the gears in one.
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Posted: 3/5/2015 5:16:31 PM EDT
[#13]
Excellent reels. I highly recommend them.
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Posted: 3/5/2015 5:32:18 PM EDT
[#14]
Great reels.
Used up here for big pike. |
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Posted: 3/5/2015 5:33:36 PM EDT
[#15]
Great reels. Keep them well lubed.
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Posted: 3/5/2015 5:35:32 PM EDT
[#16]
Skip the Chicom models.
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Posted: 3/5/2015 5:40:17 PM EDT
[#17]
I've used 7000 series reels for plenty of big saltwater fish with no problems.
My only complaint is they don't withstand years of saltwater use without corroding badly... |
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Posted: 3/5/2015 5:40:50 PM EDT
[#18]
Yes and yes.
6500 or 7000 size. |
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Posted: 3/5/2015 5:41:27 PM EDT
[#19]
They're robust reels, good for the job. I don't like round ones myself, but I wouldn't turn a free one down!
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Posted: 3/5/2015 5:48:35 PM EDT
[#20]
the 6500 one of the best all purpose high strength fishing reels ever made for larger fish.
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Posted: 3/5/2015 9:17:05 PM EDT
[#21]
Anybody have a 'Striper Special' model?
Thanks |
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Posted: 3/5/2015 9:24:01 PM EDT
[#22]
I prefer the Shimano Calcuttas.
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Posted: 3/5/2015 9:24:16 PM EDT
[#23]
I have several of the 5600s that I upgraded the drag in. They work fantastic for big reds and sharks here, so catfish shouldn't be a problem.
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Posted: 3/5/2015 9:27:45 PM EDT
[#24]
Absolutely yes.
However, in your search, remember that you want one made in Sweden. Not any of the newer Taiwan ones. You don't want one that says " Assembled in Sweden", you want "Made in Sweden". The very best ones are the Swedish made "Big Game" series. I prefer them in black. For casting plugs, I use my 6500 BG. I pulled all the brake blocks out, and she sends em. For boat fishing, I use a 7000. Abus are like ars. You can totally customize them to suit your needs. Check out "Hatteras Outfitters". 
I might not know what I'm talking about, I think I only have 8 or 9 of them. 
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Posted: 3/5/2015 9:30:09 PM EDT
[#25]
What is the diff between the 7000s and 6500s?
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Posted: 3/5/2015 9:43:08 PM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
What is the diff between the 7000s and 6500s? 7000 is bigger, and holds more line. (Braid, if you're smart)
6500 is smaller, and faster. Casting from the beach, the 6500 is for plugs, the 7000 is for 8nbait. Like I said though, you can customize the hell outta them and make it into what you want. |
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Posted: 3/5/2015 10:39:55 PM EDT
[#27]
Great (and classic) reels!
I've been a huge fan of ABU Garcia/Ambassadeur round reels for over two decades, and have owned a few dozen over the years. My favorite will always be a 4600C3, but really love the Black Max 3600s for lighter baits. The Silver Max line was pretty nice, too, but never liked them as much as the Black series. I have to admit, though, may favorite round reel of late has been a Shimano Cardiff... |
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Posted: 3/5/2015 10:50:18 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryWinner! |
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Posted: 3/5/2015 10:52:43 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I'm not a fan of the round profile, but they're a workhorse. |
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Posted: 3/5/2015 10:56:21 PM EDT
[#30]
Great reels for catfishing.
Have them on all my cat rods and a muskie and pike rod. Hell, I even use one for top water bass fishing and its one of my go to reels even though I have nicer ones. As others have said try to stay away from the chicom made stuff |
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Posted: 3/5/2015 10:58:27 PM EDT
[#31]
The standard by which all are measured. Choose how much drag you need.
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Posted: 3/5/2015 11:09:01 PM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Winner! Quote HistoryQuoted:
Winner! Ditto & another vote. |
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Posted: 3/5/2015 11:42:13 PM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryHave one of those on a musky stick. Awesome reels! |
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Posted: 3/5/2015 11:45:06 PM EDT
[#34]
I've got one from the late sixties or early seventies, when they were brown colored. Got two or three from the nineties. The newer ones are quite smooth, but not as smooth as the older one.
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Posted: 3/5/2015 11:50:50 PM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I've got one from the late sixties or early seventies, when they were brown colored. Got two or three from the nineties. The newer ones are quite smooth, but not as smooth as the older one. Seems they have been many colors over the years. I've owned them in silver, red, gray, black, blue, and gold. |
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Posted: 3/5/2015 11:52:17 PM EDT
[#36]
How does a Calcutta compare?
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Posted: 3/5/2015 11:54:00 PM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
How does a Calcutta compare? Like comparing a Remington 5R to a GAP built rifle. |
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Posted: 3/6/2015 12:02:11 AM EDT
[#38]
Thanks
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Posted: 3/6/2015 12:06:46 AM EDT
[#39]
I meant to ask you this, but is the individual you are giving the reel familiar with baitcasters? If not, I'd pick them up a Zebco 808/888 or heavy duty spinning reel. A baitcaster can make someone actually hate fishing...
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Posted: 3/6/2015 12:07:34 AM EDT
[#40]
Yep. A 5500 will do fine...the 6500 will probably handle anything he can imagine in fresh water, and the 7000 is just overkill.
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Posted: 3/6/2015 12:07:42 AM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I meant to ask you this, but is the individual you are giving the reel familiar with baitcasters? If not, I'd pick them up a Zebco 808/888 or heavy duty spinning reel. A baitcaster can make someone actually hate fishing... Yes. |
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Posted: 3/6/2015 12:08:17 AM EDT
[#42]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The 6500 series should have a bait clicker switch and that feature makes them perfect for how I fish with live bait. This 6500 for catfish. 5500C for bass. 
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Posted: 3/6/2015 12:09:41 AM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Yep. A 5500 will do fine...the 6500 will probably handle anything he can imagine in fresh water, and the 7000 is just overkill. Even for sturgeon? I mean I see these big sturgeon caught in Washington |
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Posted: 3/6/2015 12:12:21 AM EDT
[#44]
Depends...if you're looking at 200 plus pound fish...and targeting that...yeah, get something else with some more drag and line capacity.
I've caught sharks up to 6' and 100 pounds plus on 7000 sized reels. |
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Posted: 3/6/2015 1:59:58 AM EDT
[#45]
I'm actually more into Shimano Conquests, but I'll take a Morrum, if you're in a buying mood:
http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Abu_Garcia_Ambassadeur_Morrum_ZX_Casting_Reels/descpage-AZX.html |
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Posted: 3/6/2015 2:16:37 AM EDT
[#46]
I've caught plenty of big cats on my 5500s, some VERY big ones
 '' and the only weak link is always cheap line. Don't cut corners there....
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Posted: 3/6/2015 2:22:56 AM EDT
[#47]
I'm partial to Shimanos myself.
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Posted: 3/6/2015 2:35:28 AM EDT
[#48]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I meant to ask you this, but is the individual you are giving the reel familiar with baitcasters? If not, I'd pick them up a Zebco 808/888 or heavy duty spinning reel. A baitcaster can make someone actually hate fishing... They can be frustrating if you backlash one of them. Practice a little in the back yard before you go fishing and you'll do pretty well. There's also a video on Youtube showing how to easily clear a backlash that actually works pretty good. |
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Posted: 3/6/2015 2:48:42 AM EDT
[#49]
I use one for cat fishing, but I really wish I would have picked one up with a bait clicker. It's a good reel for cut and stink bait fishing, it really doesn't like tossing out large live bait.
If you're looking for a cheap set up a bottom end Penn reel and an ugly stick is the way to go. It also depends on what size of catfish you are targeting, lake or river and bait. We usually fish for 10+ pound cats with live bluegill in a river. With around 6oz of weight and 30 pound test you'll need something bigger than the AG reel. |
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Posted: 3/6/2015 3:10:52 AM EDT
[#50]
They are excellent reels, I have several over 20 years old that have never even been oiled that work great. I have caught a 170 lb halibut on a 7001 so I think they can hold up to about anything.
I only use the left handed reels, I always thought it was stupid to cast then change hands to retrieve. |
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