Conventional Setup Advise

[Mike P]

Let me address a couple of questions in the threads since my last post.

The Abu drags do suck. However, you can improve them. The Penn washers that fit a 965 are an exact fit for the 6500 size reels (I used to use 704 washers but they were a little smaller and got chewed up around the edges over a season). Also, SmoothDrag washers are also available for all Abu reels.

The Calcutta drag is now awesome. The original drags were great as long as they stayed dry. Around 1999 or so, Shimano replaced the old drag with a material they call Dartanium and offered free upgrades at the shows over the winter. It stays smooth now, no matter what. You will never get the same distance out of a Calcutta than you will from a tricked-out Abu, but it's a smoother caster and feels more solid. Abu 6500 frames can flex under stress, too. The one piece frame on the Calcutta will not.

The difference between the old BG series reels and the rest of the Abus is that the original, made in Sweden BGs had brass plates and a heavier frame. The new champagne colored 7000 series BG reels, besides being made in Taiwan, have aluminum plates like the rest of the Abu line. I fully expect the re-introduced 6500 BG reels to be the same, Taiwanese made with aluminum plates.

[mikecc]

fully expect the re-introduced 6500 BG reels to be the same, Taiwanese made with aluminum plates.

Sorry Mike they are the exact same as the original made in sweeden.Also the 6500CS & CT Mags are back

All new Abu's will also have a new better drag material simular to the Smooth drag. This will be starting with the newer 6500 sizes and down. You can tell the new reels by the newer style housing.

[eelman]

yes, the drag on the 400 is in a class by itself ! Since they changed to the dartanium, its amazing you can pour saltwater on it and still smooth as silk! I love my 400s all 5 of them!

As far as casting, I am not sure mike, I can lay into a 400 real good and get a very good cast acually with eels its almost its on par with what steve gets for distance with his VS..... It casts so smooth, if I lose a coupe of feet on the cast no big deal all the other features more than make up for it.