Upgrading my river gear... comments

[howa1500]

Looking for advice,

I'm upgrading some of my river equipment, for the vedder and allouette.

Any info plus or minus, as an example what I am looking at

Abu Garcia 5500 or 6500 C3 or C4?
Shimano Cardiff 300?
Shimano Covalus?

I'm looking at a max budget of $200.

I've been using two different bass pro shops branded models, and i figure it's time to switch up.

[TexasWalker]

Out of those reels I'd go with the 6500 C4.

Don't buy a shimano unless you can afford the nicer ones.

[lip_ripper00]

ABU 7000, and don't worry if you hook a spring.....

[coach]

Out of those reels I'd go with the 6500 C4.

Don't buy a shimano unless you can afford the nicer ones.

yup.. Go with the Calcutta 400 if you can afford it.


ABU 7000, and don't worry if you hook a spring.....

Good suggestion too. The newer Abu's aren't the same quality as the old ones - but the 7000 is a good choice for smaller rivers and the Fraser as well.

[russm]

I spent a bit more than I was planning on and got the Calcutta 400d and I'm quite glad I did, I put it on a medium action shimano technium it's a pretty nice pairing for what I need it for.

[adriaticum]

Once I bought a low profile reel, I never looked back.
Abu Revo S or Torro.
Quantum Pro Tour.
This Quantum reel is a piece of art.

[BimmerBob]

If I was you I would buy a used one (or two) off Craigslist. I see a guy in Burnaby selling various older used models for $50-80, I have a number of them at 35 plus years old and they are great. A 6500C will do anything you need including springs with the new braided lines.

Cheers, Bob

[Sofa King]

Once I bought a low profile reel, I never looked back.
Abu Revo S or Torro.
Quantum Pro Tour.
This Quantum reel is a piece of art.

ditto to that.
I bought the shimano curado.
it's a dream.

[howa1500]

Once I bought a low profile reel, I never looked back.
Abu Revo S or Torro.
Quantum Pro Tour.
This Quantum reel is a piece of art.

Why the conversion, why do you like them so much, and how do they stand up to them salmons??



If I was you I would buy a used one (or two) off Craigslist. I see a guy in Burnaby selling various older used models for $50-80, I have a number of them at 35 plus years old and they are great. A 6500C will do anything you need including springs with the new braided lines.

Cheers, Bob .

Yeah I've seen his adds and have debated what to get. Mine have served me well over the years.

[Sofa King]

here's what made my decision.
I was already eyeing the reel and was pretty set on it, but watching this episode on tv sold me completely.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Xt_A0Ip-aMw

[adriaticum]

Why the conversion, why do you like them so much, and how do they stand up to them salmons??



Because you can fish with them all day long without feeling any hand fatigue and you can do many more drifts with rested hands. This is while fishing rivers.
They balance rods so well it's a blast to fish with them. They belong.
You never need more line than you can spool on these reels, if you do chances are you will lose the fish anyway.
Mind you, I never fish the Fraser with low profilers, but any other river in lower BC will be good.
Reel is nothing more than storage for line and the most important part of the reel is the drag. Good drag, good reel.
I have 1 big reel, and 3 low profilers. I use centerpin now for rivers.


http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/12_Lbs_2.JPG

[Farmer]

In my opinion the Abu 7000 is too big for a river the size of the Vedder. While we have 2 of them for bar fishing the Fraser, and I did use one when a rod was broken fishing sockeye, it was a lot heavier and more tiring to cast continually. We have a 6500C1, 3 C4s, and my wife uses a 6600 MagX. Any one of them will do the job, springs included.
There is a thread on FWR about casting distance that talks about installing Ceramic bearings to increase casting distance that has me interested in upgrading the bearings.

I must agree about checking Craigslist as I saw a 6600 for 50 or 80 bucks recently.

[Moe.JKU]

If you can save a little get a calcutta or even a diawa luna both great reels. I like to fish mono, so for me the low pro reels don't work as you can't get enough on it. Or like others have said the 6500 or even the 7000 if you might use it as a dual purpose reel for bar fishing.

[longstonec]

I am right handed but use a 6501C3. Why switch back and forth when you casting. I reel spinning rods and bait casters on the left side. Been using Abu's for years and as long as you look after them as you would any other reel they will last a heck of a long time.

Or use a Milner.

[Dannybuoy]

yup.. Go with the Calcutta 400 if you can afford it.



Good suggestion too. The newer Abu's aren't the same quality as the old ones - but the 7000 is a good choice for smaller rivers and the Fraser as well.

Good advise here ... 6500 c-4 's are weak , I had a friend break a shear pin on his fishing the river ) shushap)when he hooked into a big spring . I use Diawa myself but the abu 7000 is a tank

[coach]

I just got a Diawa Lexa. I love it! But I love my Calcuttas too.

[Sofa King]

I am right handed but use a 6501C3. Why switch back and forth when you casting. I reel spinning rods and bait casters on the left side. Been using Abu's for years and as long as you look after them as you would any other reel they will last a heck of a long time.

Or use a Milner.

same.
my curado is a left-handed model.
but in my eyes, it's a righty.
I want my strong arm on the rod, not the reel.
and everyone casts with their right hand then switches the rod over to their left so they can cast reel with their right.
seems like a lot of extra, silly work.
I cast and start reeling.

[howa1500]

Appreciate all the comments! thanks guys!

[guest]

Used the 6500 series reel for over 30 years almost no change and only minor fixable repairs, spring, guide, etc. can't go wrong with a 6500 best is c4 but c3 is good too.