i have a abu 5500 c-3 on a 8 1/2 ft. med./hvy. rod.
it doesn't cast ligther drift gear as far as i like. my question is: have you compared this reel with others, or is it just me?
p.s. i was at rieter yesterday morning, saw 1 metalhead caught(8-10 pds.???) also another guy had one on but it got off.

The 5501 is as bullet proof as they get, a very durable reel, if you have the resources, pehaps try a lighter rod in the 8-12 range with the 01 to cast lighter gear, and/or loosen the spool tension and keep an "educated" thumb on the spool to prevent the dreaded backlash or go for a Shimano Curado.

Shimano curado, calcutta, or calais or my favorites. Although I do have a 5500 with 50 spiderwire and that does hum. They all get it out there.
keith

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Try using smaller diameter lines. I have casted a curado and in my opinion there isn't much difference. If you want long range get a spinning reel.

I have a 5600 Tournament which is a 5500 with a thumb bar release and 1 more bearing (4) and it is bullet proof. I also have a Shimano Curado and as far as casting goes, it is superior to the 5600. No question. Both are on Lamiglas 8 1/2' 10-20 rods. As far as all around durability, drag and feel, I like the 5600. When casting light gear, the Curado has an advantage due to it's adjustability. It also dis-engages the line guide when casting, causing less drag. My 5600 also dis-engages the line guide, but I don't think the 5500 does if I remember right. All in all, both are great reels, but if I had to choose 1 for all my fishing, I would choose the ABU/Garcia. You own a great reel.

I fish a calcutta ct-400 and it casts far better than any Abu I ever owned.I find the C3's clunky, but they are tough reels. My buddy fishes an Abu Morrum and that reel is the smoothest level wind I've ever cast, albeit the most expensive.

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Long Live O. Kisutch

Curado is what you need. Back off VBS TO O AND KEEP YOUR THUNB ON IT! Been thier done it.

IMX- 1025 Loomis help's butt' you need to have the right reel- curado, is it as far I'm
in to it, am I'm HARDCORE. Back to you.

Guys, just 2 cents from a confirmed Ambassadeur fan, the folks who do surf casting distance competition use....Ambassadeurs. Granted, they are modified, but competition casters could use anything they want. My partner can't out distance me with his 10.5' noodle rod and spinning reel, either.
Greg (I been chunkin' levelwinds a LONG time)Pennell

Hold up, you said you could cast further than a noodle rod. I'm not calling you a lyre but thats pretty impressive. How much weight on what kind of rod are you casting and exactly how far does it go.

Out of all the reels I’ve owned my Daiwa millionaire makes them all look sad. I got 15lb main line on my Daiwa and it just flat out cast’s my Curado with only 10lb main line.

I have both Abu's and Calcutta,s like them both. One thing made a big differance in there casting distance big time for me. It is powered teflon from Dupont. I got some from a friend and use it when I take apart and clean my reels. Use oil like you always do but also use the teflon. This really makes them cast.

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dank
Keep The Rivers Clean!

Hey Hairball, is that one of the new Daiwa millionaires? I was checking out the new Daiwas (millionaires and the HV I think it was) and they have more ball bearings than any other reel except the Calais, I was thinking about getting one. Also, the completely disengage when you cast - I figure the more bearings the smoother and farther it will cast.

I have a PS2-5b I bought about 8 years ago and it casts better than any of the newer Shimanos I have tried. Although it is starting to wear out on me.

Stadle

Yep one of the new ones M-CV-Z253LA. I really didn’t want to spend that much money on a real but I’m glad I did now. Backlash is almost non existent. I throw everything form eggs with no weight to plugs, spinners and spoons. With a 2-1/2 buzz bomb I can cast off the whole spool of 15lb line (200 yards).

Ironfisherman, come fishing with me some time. Bring your favorite spinning reel. There's more to casting than which reel you use.
Greg

What kind of techniques to you use when casting. I'm a little bit skeptical about someone saying they can cast a buzzbomb twohundred yards.

Since I'm in the process of replacing my rods and reels I purchased a Curado #B-5:1 (instead of the 6:2-1 )anyone else opt for the lower retrieveal rate on their Curado's.
Fished it this last Friday, casts real nice,don't know if it will outcast my Calcutta but a nice reel,
kinda cool the way it changes colors in the sunlight ...Os

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Row Quietly and fish a Cataraft
Release all Wild Fish----<'))>>{

Hey stadle, you obviously never handled the newest shimanos. You should try the calais, or the chronarch. Those both cast miles. But one thing that you will want to remember is that casting is not always the reel its the rod and most important the line. The line is the most crucial part cause if you have coily line it creates more friction when cruising through the guides. When wanting to cast far I use Stren Magnathin or some sort of tuf line or spiderwire.

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I don't understand why you are so concerned in casting so far,when the majority of the fish lay close to the bank!!So therefore any reel is good.Try not to make life so difficult!!!!!!!Good Fishing.

That was one hell of a first time post. Way to go chromer.