Does anyone have any experience with the new abu Record series?.

I'm looking for a conventional plugging reel, was thinking 6500 sized abu and the Abu Record 60HC seems to be right in the same ballpark size wise.

http://www.abu-garcia.com/AbuGarciaPreview2006.htm

It has some nice features, the only thing the scares me a little is the thumb bar. I've heard that sometimes a thumbbar can get touchy on the sand. Anyone have any experience using reels with a thumb bar?

Yes - I have a couple of Abu's with the thumb bar. Not a problem. If you want to you can easily snap it off and you are back to the old open face. :grins: :rotf2:

The "Record" is a new release for ABU, has some new inovative features. Since receiving the first shipment and taking one apart I am impressed. I have not been a fan of thumb bar spool release but this reel is done quite nicely. At both Hartford shows we sold 4 of them.

Hope this helps,

Don M
King Cove Outfitters
www.kingcoveoutfitters.com