Abu Garcia 7000 series

[RK]

Hiya -

I've caught hundreds and hundreds of muskies over the last 25 years using 7000s. If I include my friends and fishing partners (guys like Jack Burns, Doug Johnson, Richard Pearson, Paul and Gregg Thorne, etc) it's thousands of muskies. Many thousands. I would bet that of the muskies caught by that list, 99% of them have been caught using a 7000.

I've never heard any of them talk about a frame twisting fighting a fish, much less reeling a lure in. Yeah, parts can wear out on them (pawls and worm gears) but they're a machine, and parts wear out. Saying a reel is defective because a pawl needs to be replaced is like saying you need a new house because the light bulb in the kitchen burned out. As far as them having chronic durability problems, I'm skeptical of a claim like that. If they did have chronic breakdowns, I wouldn't own a dozen of them.

I'm not saying the Saltist isn't a nice reel - it is. But I think there are some out there who think 7000s are an old timer's reel and are junk just because they're not new.

Sometimes the old timers know what they're doing.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[muskydeceiver]

Maybe it's the "old timers" with the old reels and that is why they are holding up. I got a 7000 after I went through 2 Abu Records in as many outings. 7000 lasted as long. No more Abu products for me period....

[ryanmitchell]

Regarding the Saltist 20 and 30HA, are those the levelwind models?? I don't think i would have a problem with the non-levelwind models, but would prefer the levelwind if given the option. I went out with a guide on Vermilion that had the saltist, but I think his was the 40 or 50 model and it was huge, turned me off. I did you his 7000's all day and loved them.

I was at the Thorne's booth yesterday and the salesman was the one that turned me onto the Saltist. I held it, and it was solid. Love the clicking drag adjustment and it was really smooth overall. They had the 7000i Abu there and it did appear inferior in construction. Chris from Thornes said he had 4 abu 7000's break down on him in 4 trips, hence the Saltist suggestion. I asked him what he uses and he said the Daiwa luna. Lunas seem the same as the Calcuttas. My buddy bought the 400TE and put a power handle on it. Nice combo. I am looking to spend a little less.

I had my heart set on the Abu 7000 pro Rocket, but will have to hold both next to each other to decide. Maybe the milwaukee show! Got a few months to make a decision, or atleast a month till the Milwaukee show.

Rods. I bought the Shimano Compre 8'XH. Got it for $111 with a free spool on Tuf line. Bought it from Thornes booth. Really like the rod for the price. I will look at the Musky armour rods, as my buddy regretted not buying the same Compre after we left.

If he could get the saltist and me the 7000, that would be ideal. I may try and talk him into it, as whatever one he felt comfortable buying, I would buy the other one.

Thanks for the info, keep it coming!

[MUSKY18]

I hear ya RK.....the whole reason that I bought my first 7000 is because of Pearson. Now, having had the chance to fish with him, I understand why. Don't know if there is a bait he throws that isn't retrieved by a 7000. And as Rob can probably tell you, Pearson isn't the nicest guy on his equipment! His boat is a little cleaner than Johnson's, but not by much. Bottom line is the 7000 is a workhorse of a reel and with the proper maintenance they will last a long time.

[bigbritt]

Thanks for stopping by the booth Ryan. The show was fun. All kinds of new toys out there this year. As far as reels go...it’s very difficult to find a reel that will hold up to the abuse of Muskie fishing. We have to pick and choose from reels that are not designed for what we all do with them. Unfortunately there is not a "Muskie reel" out there, so it really isn’t the manufacturers fault....the reels that fail are just not intended to handle the strain of a pulling cowgirl or a heavy Bulldawg. I have had a lot of reels go down over the years, some quicker than others. I have not used the Luna all that much, but I do know that they have been decent performers. I use an array of reels these days. I am using a few calcutta 700b’s most of the time, but also have a trinidad 14 for cowgirls...a calcutta 400te, a 400b and I also have a made in Sweden Abu Garcia 7000 which i love. I have used a lot of reels over the years and these have become my personal favorites. With all that said, the saltist 30 has been solid over the last season for a LOT of people including a lot of the guides out there. It is a good reel and it also has a nice price point wherever one shops. Thanks again.

Chris from Thorne Bros

[ryanmitchell]

How does one go about procuring a swedish made 7000? That sounds like the best case scenario for me. I know it is not that easy to find one. I really liked the Saltist though. I don't remember if the one I held had the levelwind or not, but that would be my preference. Chris, Thornes got a booth for the Milwaukke show? If so I may wait until then to purchase a reel if the same discount applies to the reels. If you are at the show would you have one of the Abu 7000 Pro Rockets there so I could compare both together and make a decision?

That is quite the aresenal of reels you got there. Any muskie angler would be happy with that selection.

[bigbritt]

No we are not going to have a booth at the milwauke show. Too many shows...too little time. The saltist was the levelwind version. The best place to find an older 7000? The online classified sites. I found mine in an add from a salmon fisherman near sheboygan WI.

[Cubbiebill]

Speaking of the saltist... they offer a 2 speed option on the lever drag. However this option doesn't have levelwind. I really like the option of being able to switch between 6:1 and 3:1. Are there any 2 speed reels out there that anybody would recommend for Musky, that also have levelwind?

[ryanmitchell]

Welcome aboard Cubbiebill! Maybe they will have some more options at the Milwaukee show. I plan on spending a little more time looking at the hardware. I'm sure you will too. That is the first reel I have heard of with the variable gearing.

[propster]

Ryan, if you finally decide to buy a 7000, send me a pm before you do. I've got two nearly brand new reels I'd let go for quite a bit less than you're talking about spending. One is the black ics pro rocket 4.1:1 RH and the other is the iC3 4.1:1 silver RH. I'm thinking in the neighborhood of $100 each or $160 for both. I've enjoyed these reels and they really do work well for double tens and big plastics, but I'm stepping up to a 400 TE. I've got spare parts for them you can have too. I'll even send them to you to look over, and if you decide you don't want just send 'em back. If something does happen to them beyond your capacity to repair, they stand behind them really well also. kedberg at frontiernet dot net

[ryanmitchell]

I sent you an email propster.