Striper reel Abu

hopper · Jan 7, 2018

http://www.abugarcia.com/abugarcia-...deur-s-round-reel/1315382.html#sz=15&start=52
Looking to get a couple new reels without breaking the bank. I think I may check these out this week in the 6500. Putting them on some old uglystiks 6'6 medium heavy rods.
Kinda new to Striper fishing. Anyone like these reels or have any options in the same price points? Will be all fresh water.

across the river · Jan 7, 2018

hopper said:
http://www.abugarcia.com/abugarcia-...deur-s-round-reel/1315382.html#sz=15&start=52
Looking to get a couple new reels without breaking the bank. I think I may check these out this week in the 6500. Putting them on some old uglystiks 6'6 medium heavy rods.
Kinda new to Striper fishing. Anyone like these reels or have any options in the same price points? Will be all fresh water.

Those will be fine. I would pay a little extra and get the 4 bearing ones (SX I believe). About all we ever use are Ambassador reels, and I've had them for years. I can't tell if that model has them or not, but I would get the bait clicker on there too, as that will help when running planer boards.

hopper · Jan 7, 2018

Thanks just looked at the STX way better reviews, and worth the extra $20. Think I will be looking at these.

Just saw some videos on the s series and looks like a pretty cheaply made reel.

Dustin Pate · Jan 8, 2018

I have been running Okuma Classic's the last handful of years. Have not had a single failure and I'd hate to guess the number of fish they have accounted for.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014R29IRM/ref=twister_B01G2UBAFA?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

StriperrHunterr · Jan 8, 2018

I like the Abu's and the Okuma's. I've got some Okuma Magda's on my Eagle Claw Granger II's that have the integrated line counters and they're invaluable.

Arnie Davis · Jan 8, 2018

The ABU Garcia S, SX and BCX (Walmart version) are all good reels and the only problems I see with them are the drags. They work well out of the box but after a couple of years the drags start becoming jumpy and inconsistent. If you are chasing schoolies or 10lb fish this will not be a problem but if you are chasing bigger fish then they will become a problem in due time. The drag washers are made out of synthetic rubber and once the rubber begins to harden they go downhill fast. There is an easy fix for this though and you get it here under the BCX line item for $10.50….http://www.smoothdrag.com/price.html. The BCX carbontex drag washers fit in all three models and once installed they are smooth as butter with up to 8lbs of drag force. However, by the time you upgrade the drag components and buy a $20 power handle you are at the same price as a new C3. The C3’s have carbon matrix drag washers from the factory and the reels are topnotch. I still replace the carbon matrix drags with the carbontex washers every chance I get and it just makes them smoother….

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Arnie Davis · Jan 8, 2018

The link Dustin provided for the Okuma CLX-200L is an excellent reel for less than $40 and is one of the few reels in this price range that have brass gears. However, after a few years use the drag becomes inconsistent because Okuma uses felt drag washers and they load up with the reel oil/grease. The S/SX/BCX carbontex drag washers (from above) also fit these reels perfectly and once upgraded show up to 10lbs of drag force. A power handle is standard on these reels and are provided from the factory. We have caught multiples stripes over 20lbs with these reels and they get the job done consistently.

Ralph mentioned the Okuma Magda Pro and these are also excellent reels for the price range. I own quite a few of the MA-15DX/MA-20DX models and have fished with them for the past 6 years. The drags still work like brand new – with no upgrades. My only problems with them are the line counters as they begin to flake out after a couple of years of steady use. The Okuma reels are great for the money but are somewhat “clunky” compared to the smoothness of the ABU C3’s.
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Arnie Davis · Jan 8, 2018

If you like pulling big baits with boards and need to put the brakes on a 30lb+ stripe before it hits the tree tops then this is your huckleberry…http://www.pennfishing.com/penn-ree...n-squall-lever-drag-reel/1285663.html#start=2

We have NEVER lost a fish while using the SQL30LD.
The SQL30LD on Ugly Stik catfish rods for the win...
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PopPop · Jan 8, 2018

I have used the 6500 C 3s on everything from catfish tho 8' sharks. I mount them on 8' uglystick catfish rods. Live bait only.

lampern · Jan 8, 2018

Get made in Sweden Abus

hopper · Jan 9, 2018

Thanks all great advise. I think the Okuma for under $40 is way to good of a price to not give it try. Who knows if I catch the bug I can upgrade later.

RoyalFlush · Jan 9, 2018

The Abu you linked to doesn’t appear to be the line counter model. For striper fishing, I would definitely suggest reels with line counters. I have a pair of the Abu Ambassadeur line counters and they are good reels (not the best, but much better than than entry level reels).

huntndeer · Jan 9, 2018

Just got my new okuma from amazon today. Also if you look on the web there’s a website out there where you can order carbon fiber replacement drag washers for about 8 dollars

scottpriest · Jan 10, 2018

hopper said:
Thanks all great advise. I think the Okuma for under $40 is way to good of a price to not give it try. Who knows if I catch the bug I can upgrade later.

I have used that abu reel you were looking at and never had complaints about it.But I now use the Okuma with the built in line counter and absolutely love them. They have taken a beating between boat my boat and kayak, have worked flawless and can be had in the 40-45 dollar price range.

Rich M · Jan 10, 2018

PopPop said:
I have used the 6500 C 3s on everything from catfish tho 8' sharks. I mount them on 8' uglystick catfish rods. Live bait only.

I have used 5500-6500 Abu's for about everything from 100# tarpon to sharks to stripers, seat trout, blues, reds, flounder, sea bass, etc. My favorite reels. I put them on Ugly Sticks and some faster action graphite rods. Good for slinging lures and even better for casting large live baits.

If you want to go bigger you can do the Shimano Triton 200 level winds - I use these for Mahi and kings - 450 yards of 50# braid... They are on 7 ft Ugly Sticks.

If you want to go bigger - get a Shimano Charter Special reel - 33# of drag max. This is what my wife and I use for bottom fishing grouper and big snapper. Have 80# braid on there right now.

Okuma is a reel I never tried cause I fish the salt most of the time. The originals were not very salt resistant and the bearings would cause issues. They well may have fixed that.

The Abu bearings are only slightly better - after 5 or so years, you need to replace or start oiling them once or twice a season. Pull the spool and put some gun oil on the bearings, maybe Mystery Oil. Will quiet them right down and last for a while.

I have 5 or 6 ABU's and the youngest one is 20 years old, purchased around 1996. The oldest is closer to 30 yrs old.

Nuttin Better · Jan 16, 2018

You will not be happy with the S model reels. Those are aftermarket reel make for the big box stores to sell at a discounted price. There is nothing about those reels that are like he original reels other than the name. I have a box full of those reels in my shop that are less than a year old. Parts are not available either.

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