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6:07 pm
January 12, 2007
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Does anyone have problems with the drag system on Abu reels? I have had two this season go bad they are both new I bought them over the winter. The drags won't hold they just get loose even though they are cranked all the way down. If you jerk on the line sometimes they tighten up or maybe bind up then they loosen up a couple of cast later. I guess I'll send them back I hope they stand by them or maybe I should just find someone around here to fix them.
I'm wishin I was fishin
6:39 pm
March 22, 2004
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Hey,
I'm so disgusted with Abu Garcia at this point that I'll never buy another. Just bought an Abu Garcia Record reel and the drag is already shot, the little screw that holds the plate to keep the handle nut in place fell out and the plate went over the side of the boat. What was once a hallmark in the world of reel manufacturers is now just a part of an international conglomerate using the name and turning out garbage.
DL
DL
6:49 pm
April 29, 2007
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I also had the handle screw come off and had drag problems with a Abu 6601 I bought at cabelas last year. I sent it to the manufacturer and they sent me a letter saying it was beyond repair and suggested I buy one of their refurbished ones. I called them and told them to keep the piece of junk. The Abu Garcias dont' hold up in extreem cold temperatures, in my experience.
You will probably have better luck taking it back to the store you bought it from. Talking to the reel department guys is probably the best chance of getting it replaced.
Now, I use the Diawa Luna and LOVE IT. But, it's almost four times the cost of the Abu's. So, we'll see how the Luna holds up for the next couple of years to see if the cost is justified.
Team MTF
6:51 pm
April 29, 2007
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Correction....3X the cost, the Lunas are around $230.
Team MTF
9:02 pm
Well no matter what reels you buy, it will fail eventually in this sport. Heavy rods, no stretch braid, and 3-10oz lures will eventually take its toll on any reel. Thats not to say there are some good reels that will hold up much longer then others. I might be bias since I work p/t for Daiwa, but I just sent them back two Millionare CVZ two days ago. I had the anti-reverse fail on both. The few that have fished with me know I fish twitch baits a lot, and really, really pop the lure on twitches. The slack line twitches really take a toll on the anti-reverse bearing.. not to mention the lips on lures!.. Those reels lasted me 3 solid years of fishing, so I guess the bearing going after 3 yrs sounds bad, but as much time I have on those reels it isn't that bad.. Hopefully it will be a cheap repair..
That really sucks with the Abu's, I really never heard anything bad about them. I guess there older reels are a little more stable like DL said they are now probably mass producing them and to keep cost down are cutting corners..
Tim, good to hear you lovet he Luna's. I plan on ordering a few this winter. I have also left a v/mail to the guy I report to at Daiwa to see if they have had any issues with the Luna's anti-reverse bearings..hopefully it just because my reels are older.
4:08 am
Penguins,If you use super braid and its not on tight from the start,or you dont use mono backing the line can slip making it seem like the drag doesn't work.But i do agree,abu's SUCK.Bob
12:51 pm
August 28, 2007
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I also have sent two Abu Garcia Records back one the anti-reverse went and the other, the only way I could cast was to loosen the drag all the way, cast and then tighten the drag back down. Want to talk about a tough time on the water doing that all day. It was either fish like that or go home, so I fished. My next reel is also going to be a Luna, can't wait till Christmas. Have a good Turkey Day Later
ITS NOT THE SIZE OF YOUR BOAT
ITS THE SIZE OF WHATS ON YOUR BUMPBOARD!
M.T.F
4:49 pm
April 17, 2011
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Abu has washers you can buy to "enhance" the drag system. On my old 6600 I actually had to add 2 it was that bad (it's all about cranking down on the star drag so it sticks - at least somewhat).... Agree on Abu in general, but you get what you pay for - i.e. smooth cast and retrieve, lousy drag, vice versa on other reels. Happy Gobble day.... J
It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
6:01 pm
October 14, 2005
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Just to throw my 2 cents in, I bought a Abu Ambass. C 4 6601 last Christmas, and by March had to replace it. Sounded like the gears were fried, so I took it back to Cabelas, and replaced it, no questions asked. Needless to say I upgraded! You can say what you will about Cabelas, but I've never had any problems with them replacing anything faulty. Like Joe said, and I totally agree, you really do , get what you pay for.
Sometimes you've got to "jiggle' it, and sometimes you've got to give it one big
"jerk"
TEAM BLACKBERRY
4:57 am
March 19, 2004
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Here's what I do on ABU's, I have owned probably 30 to 40 of them thru the years. ( I still use them with no problems)
What I do every winter is take down each reel one at a time clean them with a degreaser (does not matter what kind) use Q-tips and paper towels during the clean-up.
I than re-lube all the gears with quantums hot sauce gear lube than I oil the bearings and bushings with quantums hot sauce oil.
I REPLACE the drag discs and the copper tab on the lock down screw every year.
A few important facts about any reel;
1. never get lube on the drag discs, I usually put the drag disc assembly together than spray it with contact cleaner to make sure they are oil free
2. always release ALL pressure on the drags when your not using the reel.
3. if your using superbraids always back the braid with mono and always put at least one wrap of electrical tape on the spool before you start to spool up.
Happy Thanksgiving, Jeff
Just remember...if the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off.
˙˙˙ssɐ ʎɯ ssıʞ uɐɔ plɹoʍ ǝloɥʍ ǝɥʇ os 'uʍop ǝpısdn ǝɯ ʎɹnq ʎǝɥʇ ǝdoɥ ı
-------------------------------------------------~ >')))))))))))><
4:37 pm
Ill have to agree with Jeff . Large lures twitchin, rippin , jerkin, I put a hurtin on my reels also (all Abu's) , .
Reels need maintanence all the time no matter what brand you use . especially if you use it alot . I break my reels down 2-3 times ayear just to clean , oil, and check parts, I also look them over after every trip .I also keep spare parts that wear quikly in my boat for middle of the trip repairs.
You do get what you pay for Shimanos TE are prob the top line reels but they do fail sometimes also as do the Abus
Reels are not built to last forever but with some rountine maintenance you can extend the life.
9:31 pm
February 8, 2007
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after owning 2 Garcias i have to really put my 2 cents in here [[%&]]... i dont like them at all. no matter what i did to those reels reels it was constant headaches.. My buddy just bought one and i told him to take my advise and return it. He didnt listen and now he is suffering.
Never be afraid to try, remember...
Amateurs built the ark
Professionals built the Titanic
2:37 pm
January 12, 2007
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Just got back in town from deer camp I see alot of opinions. I dont have any backing on my reels but Ill check to make sure the spool is spinning when the drag is not holding. I service mine every year like alot of you do. I was really surprised they didn't last one season [[^]
I'm wishin I was fishin
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