I'm having problems with my 5501 c3 reels. They are not engaging after you make your cast. You have to pull the triger out with your fingure. Just wondering if anyone else is having the same type of problems? If you have, were you able to fix them. Thanks for any advice!

You know what? I just noticed today with my 5501C3, that when I started fishing, it didn't want to disengage the freespool.. So I smacked the reel around a little bit, and sure enough.. not a problem afterward.. *LOL* I've put that reel through a HELL of a lot of abuse over the last two years, and this is the FIRST trouble with it! I'm sure it's nothing major though..

Tom

Hehe!....I know exactly what you are talking about Tom. When it's not retrievin' give it a beatin!(j/k). My reel did this to me one day and it has never been a problem since.

Had the exact same problem with my 5501c3 after I got it back from being service! So i sent it back to the service man and he replaced the disengage mechinism and it works fine. Personnelly I'm really disappointed in the quality of this reel, but now that it works i'm too cheap to go dump another 60-70 buck on a new one.
One more thing, if you go the the abu garcia home page they will give you a list of servic people in your area. AND I too beat my reel on the side to make it work, just like my women. Just kidding.
hot chocolate

[This message has been edited by hot chocolate (edited 12-11-1999).]

[This message has been edited by hot chocolate (edited 12-11-1999).]

This sounds like a problem I had, too. The solution was to replace some of the plastic gears which had lost their teeth. ... Oh for a Calcutta...

That's the main reason I'm not a big Shimano fan.. I like the reels overall, they look nice/they are smooth, BUT they are halfmade of plastic!! hehe!

Tom

Tom
You should march on down to R&R and check out the bantam 1000p. Ask Paul about the reel.....he repairs them. Heck if your nice he might even open one up for you. Solid reel, it might be a little big. As they say though, big reel big fish.. :-)

I've got to run down there to talk to Paul later today, anyway.. Busted my GL2 on the lyre this morning... Boy was I pissed! Attempting to land a 47 1/2 lb hatchery winterrun... *LOL* Yeah... And if you believe that, I'll make you a hell of a deal on a brand new bridge... Heheh.. Anyway, I've seen that 1000p, but I'll take another look at it today... Why not?

Tom

P.S. Do you know who I am?

Nope, Just know your in PA and had a local fishing site. Do you know me?

Well, I might.. Just depends on who you are.. hehe.. Just seemed funny cause you knew Paul by name =) (Paul and his wife have known me since I was born *hehe*)

I talk reels with Paul quite a bit. He has repaired them all. Not much fish talk since Joe left. How much does it cost to fish Normans this year? Or you strictly a upper campground fisherman. :-)

You mean Jeff?! I know what ya mean though.. hehe.. And yeah, Paul has seen em all.. hehe.. It's $14 a day for two adults, and $1 for each additional... I usually just sneak down in there as I find it a true crime to pay to fish MY river... That river belongs to everyone, not one guy to make a living... Everyone and their brother seems to think that the lyre is capable of handling 40 people on it... I disagree with the fact that it gets so much pressure, but I would be contradicting myself if I maintainted that attitude, so it's everyone's river... Just not enough fish for that many people.. I only know of a handful of fish this year... =(

Tom

Thanks for the info. I agree with you on the fishing pressure. I grew up fishing the Lyre in the winter. Don't fish it much anymore but can usually scrape a fish out when all else fails. Very little has changed in the way the holes lay over the years.

PS, I meant Joe...jeff came after Joe ..... :-) hehe

Hey rhino..if you take your reel apart you will see where the push button goes inside. There is a a plastic piece the rides on a piece of metal that acts like a spring. That spring is worre. ( it sorta looks like a fork) all you need to do is bend the prongs out a little to regain the spring tension. Then clean it up and you should be ready to tear t up again............

You know, it's kinda funny how things change. I remember when having an ambassedeur was the tops. I have over 15 of them, ranging from an old 5000 (not an A or C, but just a 5000) up to a 7000 and all sorts inbetween. But, I too have noticed that the ones that I have problems with are the 5500 C3 series that are 5 years old or less. Between not disengaging right to drags. I lost a very nice winterrun on the Hoh river earlier this year because my reel malfunctioned. Luckily I had my trusty old spares with me. I have an old 5000c (blue frame high speed retrieve) on an old fenwick 85c that saved the day on the next drift. I don't know if it's the new age production or what, but all my old ABU/Garcia baitcasters are as good as day I bought/inherited them. The new reels by Shimano and such are nice, but I like my old companion the Ambassedeur on my rods. Just call me old fashioned, but I enjoy them, but yes, the new generation aren't quite up to par. So, any of you with older ABU/garcia's, black framed 5500, send em my way...hint hint.......just kidding. I hope ABU straightens up soon, I'd hate to have to switch over to another reel...tight lines........

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