abu big game question

[quick decision]

I have a brand new 9000 bg and I dont know if I want to keep it or sell it. I also have a abu 6500 that I can use for medium use. I could save it for the boat but I plan/will to do more fishing in the surf this year.

[Mike P]

BG reels haven't been made with brass plates since production moved from Sweden. The newer gold colored BG Abus have aluminum plates. And there seems to be some dispute over whether the last runs of black Swedish Big Games were a) made in Sweden to begin with and b) actually had aluminum plates. There's a guy on SOL who says the signature clues that are dead giveaways that a "Swedish" BG was actually assembled in Taiwan are pointed ends to the star drag and red grease under the handle nut.

No BG reels ever came thru with stainless gears as standard equipment. There were aftermarket stainless gears available from Hatteras Outfitters. I have them in my 6500 CL. You could boost the retrieve of any 6500 size Abu to 6.3:1 with one version of them.

BG reels have the same line capacity as every other 6500 and 7000.

The frames on the old black BGs do appear to be more rigid and are probably chromed brass.

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by Mike P

BG reels haven't been made with brass plates since production moved from Sweden. The newer gold colored BG Abus have aluminum plates.

To me the Big Game was, is, and always will be the Black Beauty - not the Gold reels, regardless if they've improved or not. I have 2 classic Black 7000CLs and they're going nowhere. Abu can keep the gold ones...

[NIB]

I have seen this yr's model.There black again.the weight is there but not sure of the construction.They are made in China.The edges are eased on the sideplates so they look different.They also have a new handle with the large soft rubber shimano type paddle.
They have a spool engage lever instead of the push button..
Other than being made ine china this is the biggest difference.I like only having to turn the handle to engage the clutch.Now u have to flip the lever like a newell or squidder..
I have 3 of the old black ones an bought a gold one when they came out.I put that reel thru the paces an it held up fine.Not talking bout regular surf fishing either.I used it on a bridge set up where locked drags,5 knt. currents, an crankin 10 lb fish up 25 ft is the norm.