Abu 7000?? Confusion - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Maine Guide · 08-24-2005, 10:35 AM

Last October, I looked for some advice regarding regarding a first conventional set up for the canal, etc. The consensus from most of you was to go with the Abu 7000 - find a version marked "made in sweden" (not "assembled in sweden"). Preferably the BG7000CL. Some of you also indicated the Penn 525 Mag was a good choice.

Problem is - there seems to be too many versions of the Abu 7000 out there - HS and HSN, CT, C3, etc. I seem to run into everyone but the CL.

Also - the one I was looking at yesterday was the 7000 "Rocket" which was "made in Sweden".

Can anyone lend some insight into the variations.

Also - when I looked at the 525 on a St. Croix 10-11 foot, it seemed awfully undersized. Am I incorrect in that thinking?

Thanks again to all for your advice.

Saltheart · 08-24-2005, 10:52 AM

The black BG7000Cl is what you want IMO. hard to find now (you could still find them last october , very rare now). Stay away from the newer gold BG reels. junk IMO.

The Abu 7000 Sports Rocket you mentioned is a good one.

the Penn 525 is a "hot' reel. very fast for casting but its non levelwind and you need an educated thumb to control it. Penn also makes some International casting reels. i think its the 975? Some people like them. They are gold colored. .

Look at Newells if you can't find the black BG 7000CL.

JohnR · 08-24-2005, 11:57 AM

I'm not happy with my Penn 975's corrosion resistance, or lack of resistance. If I didn't know better I would think I bought a cast iron reel. Other than that, it is pretty nice...

I would look up Ebay or check with some of our sponsors. There might be a few still on dealer's shelves. I think CCT was out but I think he had some recently and might get more in... The 7000CL is a sweet reel - I have 2. That Sports Rocket seems nice too though I do not own one.

Mike P · 08-24-2005, 07:41 PM

I'm not a big fan of the Penn Internationals either. Level wind pawls wear out WAY too quickly, and the freespool button on the 975 has a nasty habit of popping up at the start of a cast

I think the 7000 CS Rocket has 2 bearings

Saltheart · 08-25-2005, 07:34 AM

2 would be a strange number wouldn't it Mike? Seems like it should have 2 spool bearings and an anti reverse bearing (3 total) ?

Fishpart · 08-25-2005, 07:42 AM

Have to go with Mike on this one..

the 7000 family has an AR pawl.

I have an older red made in Sweden 7000 and I replaced the bushings with bearings and that is a nice solid reel easier casting than some smaller reels.