Abu 6500 C3 or C4?

[-Marc V-]

Just looking for some folks' opinions on whether I should go with an Abu C3, or a C4 just as a general all around reel. I already have a C4, and it's performed well. I understand the C3 has a lower gear ratio, so wouldn't be all that great for burning bucktails, and such.

I was set on a C4 until I was at the World's Foremost Outfitters yesterday, and one of the sales guys said some of the bigger musky baits can chew up the gears in the C4's, and the C3 would be a better choice.

I would also use this reel as a catfishing reel, so was thinking the lower gear ratio would be good at horsing those buggers in.

Thanks for any insight...

[Scoot]

Yep, I'm in total agreement with the salesman. The C4 has finer gears and will get chewed up a lot easier throwing heavy baits (even moderately heavy baits, like bucktails). Also, 5.3:1 is plenty high enough gear ratio for burning bucktails, just be sure it's spooled up to max capacity.

[RuKiddingMe]

I picked up a 7000 in hopes of combating the c3 c4 deal. It's bigger with a bigger spool and larger handle. Basically you get a powerhouse reel that can also scream the bucktails.

We'll see how that works out for me this summer.

RU

[dfricke1010]

Is the C3 still alright to throw lighter baits like medium sized spinners eventhough it is meant for big lures?

[Rebel9921]

I started off the 2007 season with a 6600CB, 6600C4, and 6600C3... I took the C4 back immediately as I found that it couldnt handle the double bladed bucktails... The reel bogged down badly while the C3 handled the job much better...

August 2007, I always brought 3 rod/reels with me everytime I went fishing... all rods had 6600C3 on them... one day... one C3 gave out... so I went to the 2nd one... was fine for a while til it started feeling like a C4... so I went to the 3rd one which I finished the day with... I took both apart when I got home and couldnt find out what was wrong... so I shipped them off to Abu Garcia... Turns out that the #1 C3's anti-reverse bearing gave away... and the #2 C3's gear wore out... They sent me 2 new replacements... 6600SSC3's which I used two more times in September...

I decided, after reviewing the forums online and using my brother's 7000C Syncro, to splurge myself for my birthday... I got a new 7000iC3... I havent used it yet but I feel very confident with it that I plan on getting other 7000iC3 or two at the Expo if the price or deal is sweet enough...

DFricke... Yes... I had no problems throwing 7" Bucktails with C3's so you should be fine... It was such a breeze throwing Showgirls and Raptor Tails... I havent tried using Mepps Musky Killers but dont think there would be any problems... just simply adjust the brake...

[MUSKY18]

The C4 is a great reel for jerkbaits because with the higher gear ratio (6.4:1), it picks up your slack line alot quicker. For this reason, it is why it is an undesireable reel for reeling in big bucktails. I have 6 C3's and use them for throwing every kind of bucktails, but an Eagletail is about as large as I will throw. Now, because of the popularity of the DCG's and other big 10's, I bought a 7000i this last year. For cranking in bucktails it is the greatest reel that you can use. With a 4.1:1 gear ratio, you hardly notice the size of the bucktail you are fishing. Also, because the spool has such a large diameter, when it is full of line, it helps to bring the bucktail in that much faster. I paired mine up with a 8' St Croix and it is an awesome setup.

One more thing.....with that big reel, it is also super easy to twitch big crankbaits. You can throw and twitch/rip those big Jakes, Grandma's, Depth Raiders or any other crankbait with ease!

[-Marc V-]

Well, it looks like I'm on the hunt for a 7000i. Thanks for everyone's input. Been a great help.

Can't wait for open water!

[Grant Pearson]

I currently have 3 6500 C3's that I use for muskies and absoluetly love them. As far as being able to burn bucktails, I really don't have a problem doing it. I also have a 5500 C3 that I use for bass fishing that I caught a 47.5 inch ski on and the reel didn't have a problem bringing it in. I love the C3 and have been buying them for years. My oldest C3 is 3 or 4 years old, and when on the water, I have trouble figureing out which reel is the old on with how smooth it still works. The only way I can tell is by looking at the rod it's on. Plus, I do a lot of cat fishing on the river and the C3 works very well for cats as well, and have pulled 20+ pound cats out with it. It's a perfect reel IMO for going after cats one night and pitching for ski's the next day.

[dfricke1010]

Do they sell the Abu C3's at Thorne Bros in the store? or just online?

[Rebel9921]

DFricke... Thorne Bros sells C3's in their store... basically you should be able to find C3's in any store that sells Abu Garcia reels...

[Rebel9921]

 Originally Posted By: -Marc V-

Well, it looks like I'm on the hunt for a 7000i. Thanks for everyone's input. Been a great help.

Can't wait for open water!

You'd might want to contact MOJO aka Luke Breyer regarding 7000i... Im sure he can help you out

[-Marc V-]

 Originally Posted By: Rebel9921

You'd might want to contact MOJO aka Luke Breyer regarding 7000i... Im sure he can help you out

How/where would i get a hold of MOJO?

[RuKiddingMe]

right here...

[email protected]

that should get you in touch with him.

RU

[hanson]

 Originally Posted By: -Marc V-

Well, it looks like I'm on the hunt for a 7000i. Thanks for everyone's input. Been a great help.

That'll work great for cattin' as well! The 7000 series has a louder clicker than a 6500 and it takes much more effort to pull it out as well. Great for big baits in current.

I would personally buy a 7000C3i over a 7000i. They are different reels, the C3i has more bearings.

[Esox_Magnum]

Okuma Induron. Shimano Corvalus, Calcutta. Daiwa Luna. Gander or Pfluger 66's. all worth a look to. While Abu makes some good reels my choice for muskies are not Abus.

Theres 3 of us that fish togeather all told we have 3 Abus in our arsenal rest are Shimanos. Moral is the Abu's that get use go in at least once a season for repairs while only 1 Shimanos failed and that one was blown up on a hit trolling 6mph.

Of ourse Just My Opionion.

[-Marc V-]

Thanks...sent him an email...

7000c3i just sounds cool! i'll check it out and see if i can swing it this spring...many, many items on the want list this year. wish i had a money tree for all the fishing stuff i wish i had!