Have any of you removed the level-wind crossbar and welded the two holes shut. I talked to a welder friend of mine and he said he could do it without a problem. What about the strenght of the frame if I do this?

I think you can get a cross bar conversion kit. If removing totally that would mean removing 2 bars, wouldn't it? I think you need one of them for frame rigidity. Leave the pawl and levelwind arm and leave the bottom spacer and worm gear. You might be able to find some small rubber inserts to plug the holes. (maybe something like used on inside edge of a door frame. At least this way it could be converted back with ease.

Just the one that the worm gear rides in. CT frames are $$$$$.

True, but I remember seeing a stainless cross bar for fairly short money somewhere. Maybe Hatteras Outfitters?

Don't do it---either get a CT frame or a conversion kit.

Without the level wind guide on the reel, the edges of the slot that it rides in on the middle bar will chafe and weaken your line. You have to cut that bar out. Then, the bottom bar, the one the worm gear is in, isn't strong enough to prevent the frame from flexing. You need the solid bar in the conversion kit.

Sounds prudent: CT here I come.

John
The levelwind experiment failed huh?
Welcome back to the dark ages :D

I go back and forth Bryan. For working eels and slow plugs I like to lay with the thumb. But for jigging with braid in current at night I like a levelwind. As levelwind reels go I think the abu 7000 is pretty rugged, but nothing beats the pure simplicity of a soild crossbar frame.

The beauty of the CT frame is that you'll have 2 reels for the price of one (OK--the price of one and a half :cool: ) . If you leave the level-wind drive gears inside the left plate, it's a 5 minute job to switch back and forth. ;)

Yeah I put a level 7000 on my shallow water boat stick.... I like it so far... as far as braid in the channel... squidders aint got no level :D been to that spot at all lately? was thinking tonight before I head to my intended spot around 11p...
B

Haven't been in weeks. Jigged that spot to death the past few years, and all my big fish come there in the fall. Friend has been taking small keepers there all week. Been fishing in front of the house here with eels, some nights good, other nights slow as a winter day.

Bout the same here...
Slow last night south of your house...
heading east soon...