Abu Garcia 7000

[jtanelson]

Bought a new 7000 on Sat. and to my suprise when I got home and opened it up first thing I notice is a sticker on the bottom of the real that says "MADE IN CHINA". I must have been living in a cave until recently!!!! When did they start building them in China? Are they even close to the same quality as the old reels? Everything I have laying around is too beat up to compare but for some reason this reel just feels cheaper than my other ones did when new. Could just be me though. Should I return it for something else? Sorry about the rant, just kind of suprised that they would quite making them in Sweden. I've always had great luck with my ABU's just really worries me that they would change location of where they are manufactured like that.

Thanks

[fishgutz77]

I bought a 7000 two years ago just before the Frank Schnieder tourney and it took some getting used to but I really like it. it weighs so much more than a 6500 that I use it for lead core trolling for walleyes and salmon now though too. hope you got the power crank with it.

[Tim_Anderson]

Where they are made probably has more to do with a business decision (cheap labor, tax shelter, etc.) than quality. I used a bunch of 7000's last year, and they held up great. For the average guy, they will last years. Many of my clients who used them for the first time went right out and bought their own. My booth at the Blaine Expo was right across from the ABU booth. Man, they sold alot of reels, and were filling them with free line all weekend pretty much nonstop.

I don't think you need to worry about the "made in China" thing. Sure would be nice if we could make em here though.

[DHanson]

I went through 3 abu 7000s last year. 2 broke on me after 1 month of using them each. Sent them in and they sent me back a new one each time with no questions asked. There a decent reel, but they are not that great. If you are hard on them like I was, you will be lucky to get through a whole fishing season without breaking it. At least there customer service is good, so they will send you a brand new one in case it breaks.

[cjac]

Hey DHanson,

What exactly is breaking? 3 in one year has me quite curious as to what the problem is.

[DHanson]

breaking= unuseable

I don't know specifically what was wrong with them. I can tell you that the reels would stop casting smoothly, and it would become very rough cranking as well. I brought in to Reeds in Baxter where I bought it from and the guy said he has had a lot of people return them because of the same issue. He didn't even try to fix it or anything, he just handed me a new reel and said he would take care of the "sending it in" trouble. I'm on my third one now, so maybe the third time is the charm.

[MUSKY18]

I bought mine last summer and threw nothing but big bucktails and big cranks with it. Never had a problem with it except for the time I took it apart way farther than my brain should have allowed me too. Had to send it back to Abu, and it was back in less than 48 hours with new parts. Couldn't believe how great their customer service was! LIke I said, I know I worked the holy snot out of mine, and not one problem with the operation of this reel. Will be getting another one shortly!

[b1gf1sh1]

never owned a 7000. i have just on question. do you cast with wide open tension or do you put alot of tension on it? more tension will wear a reel out faster than heck. most people don't know it, but even when you reel, it is still fighting that heavy tension. try it. tighten your tension and hit your handle so it spins by itself. then loosen it and do the same. it will spin more with loose tension. just a thought.

[fishgutz77]

I beat on my 7000 all season with big bulldogs and cowgirls and high resistant baits and never had any problems with the power crank type handle on it. They need oil on the worm gear and some light maintenance. when I thought it was getting a little tired I made it a lead core reel because of the huge capacity and it's still real'in in big kings and bows. maybe you got a couple of lemons hope this one works better for ya.

[Muskiefool]

Ive got a couple old Swedish 7000's I picked up reconditioned, it wasn't easy finding them for a decent price, I love them, I heard a few had problems with the new one's and said to find a older one if you can, and I don't buy Chinese products if I can find something made in North America or Europe.

[DHanson]

 Originally Posted By: b1gf1sh1

never owned a 7000. i have just on question. do you cast with wide open tension or do you put alot of tension on it? more tension will wear a reel out faster than heck. most people don't know it, but even when you reel, it is still fighting that heavy tension. try it. tighten your tension and hit your handle so it spins by itself. then loosen it and do the same. it will spin more with loose tension. just a thought.

Thanks for the advice. I set my tension so the lure will fall slowly when released (if that makes any sense). Maybe they have made improvements because the one I have now seems to work good.

[setterguy]

I got one last year, moderate use as I got it pretty late in the season, but after I got the hang of it I really liked it and found myself picking up that reel before my others. I'm looking at a high speed this spring for burning smaller in-line spinners.

[cjac]

 Quote:

I'm looking at a high speed this spring for burning smaller in-line spinners.

Hey J,

Funny story...last night I was doing laundry, cleaning the house, and I felt a manly "weakness". So, I marched upstairs, sat down at the PC, and I bit the bullet and ordered the Shimano Curado 300DSV just for the purpose you described of in-lines, a Lilly Tail to be specific! $50 rebate and I worked a few 'belas promotions and got into one for a steal.

Pairing the reel up with a 9' Med action Diamondback from KT Pro Edge...... "sweet" is an understatement! I'll let you try it out if you don't get one by open water!

[setterguy]

Is that 50 dollar rebate through Cabelas or Shimano? I just got a coupon in the mail from Cabelas....do they make it in musky colors so people don't think I'm some fancy bass guy?

[cjac]

The rebate is direct from Shimano & good thru April 30th, so you can work it on addition to the 'belas coupon. Hey, where's my coupon?

I'm looking to add a couple more Citicas, KT Pro Edge is making a custom bass rod for me (7' MH on a Diamondback blank), so I'll need a reel to put on it. Can't wait!

[Rebel9921]

Someone's SPENDY, just like me!!! LOL

[setterguy]

Its a 20 off a 150 purchase...you might even be able to get it online.

[Ralph Wiggum]

 Originally Posted By: cjac

Funny story...last night I was doing laundry, cleaning the house, and I felt a manly "weakness". So, I marched upstairs, sat down at the PC, and I bit the bullet and ordered the Shimano Curado 300DSV...

That's classic! I've been known to do that same.