Abu 6500 C3 Multiplier

[Steve (Original Leadchukka)]

I picked one up brand new on Ebay for £41 - absolute bargain! Even though it is doesn't have a magnetic brake (just plastic blocks) it is still a superb bit of kit. Easy to use and control and is adequate IMO for anything the local beaches will throw at it. I have it loaded with 14lb Fireline braid and although I am no tournament caster I can get it out around the 100yd mark during the day (more cautious at night because I don't want a birdie).

[dean macey]

ebay superb mate i got 8 northstar mantles for 99p this week.

[Pete B]

I agree mate, I use the C4 that I have converted to a ct cage. The rounded (domed) side plates are much easier casting reels, the square side plated abu's which are the traditional casting reels like the mag elite & rocket are probably more capable & generally faster but require alot more tweaking. The beauty with the rounded side plate (palming cup) is that the spindle is always truely centred, the square side plate requires setting manually, if this is done wrong it equals birdnest city!!!!
Adam (reelbargains) has an unrivalled knowledge of Abu's models he's very busy at the mo but once he's re-joined forum mark2 I'm sure he can elaborate.
One of my C4's

[cuckoo]

Youre a braver man than me steve ,
putting braid on a beach reel ,
the 650 c3 is a great user friendly reel ,
but for me the mag elites rain supreme ,
but my 525 supermag comes pretty close ,
only for the retreive though , casting just a lead alone i can almost equal the distance between the 2 reels , but with end gear on , all baited up , bait clips , the mag elite wins hands down for distance !!!!!
as for the conversions re; c4 never used 1 but would love to have a go !!!!!!
good luck with with the reel mate ,

lee.

[Pete B]

How are you finding casting braid from the beach with a multiplier? I quite fancy it with a fixed spool but the thought of braid with a multiplier I find a bit daunting. No probs so far then?
Pete

[Steve (Original Leadchukka)]

I suppose I am not a tournament distance caster (probably around 100yds on average). If you are, then maybe braid is not for you.

I would say I have found that casting with braid at night is a little scary as it would be easy to get an over-run just as the weight hits the water - so I tighten it up just a fraction and thumb the side of the spool when I think it is getting near to the water. During the day I am a bit more relaxed as I can see what is happening! If you do get an overrun it is quite hard to pick it out but can be done (you can tell I have had to do it!)

I know it is expensive but the feel and bite detection is worth it. The wind and waves have a much lesser effect on it too because of the lower diameter.

I can only say try it for yourself. Spiderwire Stealth is my favourite.

I have also fitted the Abec5 ceramic bearings to the reel too (Ebay £5), so it does run very smooth.

[cuckoo]

Tottaly agree pete ,
casting a multi fully loaded with braid , scares the s**t out of me ,
fixed spools , yes , ihave some of my spinning reels loaded with braid ,
and they work well , plugging or spinning ,as for a long range casting , i dont think it will work ,
i use ultima ,
or daiwas mono for distance casting on my multis , works well for me !!!!
trial and error for most people , if it works for you , then use it !!!!!!

lee.

[topbanana]

i use two mag elites,the only problem i find with them is the gear ratios for reeling in over rough ground,there two slow,so next year im going to get a penn 525mag apart from that you cant fault them irun mine with no weghts just standard magnets which i hardly ever use unless its really windy,i also find i get a better distance with the star drag right off,cuckoo how do you rate the 525 and what one have you or anyone else?

[slippery]

I have had a 4 penn mags n killed them all on the boat uptiding for tope n conger rays ect... so when i killed my fourth one in as many years I purchased the diawa SL20V and what a reel cast a dream, drag is silky, feels better built, better quaility gearing , so much better than the penns, but thats only my opinion bet theres plenty of people who will tell you how great the penn is and I would agree until you pile on the fish then they fall to bits..........I also use one off the beach(sl20v) its really good.....

[Pete B]

stevebbh said:

I suppose I am not a tournament distance caster (probably around 100yds on average). If you are, then maybe braid is not for you.

Yes I think your right, I know of anglers using braid from multi's but they're fishing within an 80 yd range.
I also know that some lads are using briad, fixed spool & inter-changeable quiver tip type rods when the conditions allow, you can only imagine how sensitive such a set up would be, the most delicate of bites even at distance can be identified with ease.

[cuckoo]

Hi tb ,
i own 2 mag elites (florida oranges ) , 2 penn 525 supermags ,
and a daiwa 7ht turbo , just waiting on delivery of a penn 525 supermag xtra !!!!!, out of these reels (in my opinon only ) ,
the mag elites will top the charts for distance ,as for retreive they are very poor and weight lifts are needed for snaggy venues ,
the penn 525 supermag is a great reel , but i cant get the distance i want , probally not the reel , as i can cast the mag elites with brakes on 0 , but the 525 im still only on 5 lol , takes time to get it right , i have not added ceramic blocks or modified my reels in any way , they are as they were manufactured ,
the penn reel has a great retrive rate , and thats got to be a good plus point for this reel , i personally think which reel is down to personal preference , and casting ability what reel suits 1 may not suit another !!!!!! but hey they are all good reels and as slippery says , if you take a beach reel and use it for boat uptiding , youre going to kill it , they are just not up to the weight and catch rate of boat angling !!!!!!
tight lines ,

lee.

[slippery]

cuckoo said:

Hi tb ,
i own 2 mag elites (florida oranges ) , 2 penn 525 supermags ,
and a daiwa 7ht turbo , just waiting on delivery of a penn 525 supermag xtra !!!!!, out of these reels (in my opinon only ) ,
the mag elites will top the charts for distance ,as for retreive they are very poor and weight lifts are needed for snaggy venues ,
the penn 525 supermag is a great reel , but i cant get the distance i want , probally not the reel , as i can cast the mag elites with brakes on 0 , but the 525 im still only on 5 lol , takes time to get it right , i have not added ceramic blocks or modified my reels in any way , they are as they were manufactured ,
the penn reel has a great retrive rate , and thats got to be a good plus point for this reel , i personally think which reel is down to personal preference , and casting ability what reel suits 1 may not suit another !!!!!! but hey they are all good reels and as slippery says , if you take a beach reel and use it for boat uptiding , youre going to kill it , they are just not up to the weight and catch rate of boat angling !!!!!!
tight lines ,

lee.

If your looking for power and distance I would say the diawa has got the edge mine cast alot further than the penn, but as you say beating those abu's for distance is hard even though the diawa is close, but i personlly cant get on with the drags n gear ratio. on the subject of being a reel murderer I still cant kill the penn 535 uptiding or the SL20V, but they do say the 525 can be used for uptiding but they dont say for how long!!

[dean macey]

i also use a slosh the best by far

[slippery]

deanm said:

i also use a slosh the best by far

the new one? the SL20V?