Couple Abu questions

[Cooter]

First, for those of you who have fished with them, how do you like the free spool levers on the 7000's? I fish the vast majority with the push button 6500C3s and now that I have a 7000 I'm wondering if switching throughout the day is gonna be a problem when crunch time happens.

Also, can you switch gear ratios on the 7000s. Specifically, could I go down to 4.1:1 from the 5.3:1 on my HSN? I guess the same question for the C3s? Thanks.

[MuskieMojoTackle]

 Originally Posted By: Cooter

First, for those of you who have fished with them, how do you like the free spool levers on the 7000's? I fish the vast majority with the push button 6500C3s and now that I have a 7000 I'm wondering if switching throughout the day is gonna be a problem when crunch time happens.

Also, can you switch gear ratios on the 7000s. Specifically, could I go down to 4.1:1 from the 5.3:1 on my HSN? I guess the same question for the C3s? Thanks.

Personally, I really like the lever on the new 7000's. It only took about 3 casts to get used to it, and now I prefer it. I dont think you'll have an issue with switching throughout the day.

The gear question is a tough one. I have had multiple people at Abu tell me that you cannot do it because the gears are not interchangeable, but there is a guy over in WI (Chuck Brod) that does it. Rollie and Helen's is actually selling iHSN's with 4.1:1 gears in them. I have not heard of any problems with the modified reels so I would say go ahead and do it.

I'm not sure about the C3...my guess is no. I asked about changing about a couple of C3's to higher ratio gears and was told no by Abu. I've never heard of anyone doing it.

[propster]

I'm with Luke. We tried the 7000's (one iCs and one C3i) for the first time this weekend and love 'em for crankin', and the lever doesn't take long gettin' used to. Not as convenient as the thumb bar, but it's all right. Only problem is every now and then you go to pull the lever down and it won't go. You then have to turn the handle forward a bit, then it's free to lock down. I assume it's a gear or something not lining up or engaging. Anybody know or tell me how to minimize the occurence?

[hanson]

Unless I'm mistaken here...

I run all "older" 7000C3 which have the push button spool release on the right hand side of the reel. These reels do NOT have instant anti reverse.

The "newer" 7000C3i which have the lever spool release on the right hand side of the reel DO have instant anti reverse.

Both have the 4.1:1 ratio. Both are ball bearing reels.

Tough decision IMO as to the pros & cons of each reel. The instant anti reverse is awefully nice IMO on the new reels. The lever does engage when you crank the handle as well, you don't have to flip it forward.

[MUSKY18]

As noted above, it takes nothing getting used to the lever on the 7000 and then going back to the push button of the 6500's. What is more of an adjustment is the size. When you fish with a 7000 for a few hours and then pick up a 6500, it feels like you are fishing with a Snoopy reel. They feel that small.....

All in all, switching between the two reels doesn't even get a second thought anymore.

[Cooter]

Glad to hear...I know about the 6500s feeling small after fishing with a 7000. What I notice more is the weight. My old 7000hsn was the gold colored variety and that sucker you had to crank the handle half way around to get the reel to engage.

I'll take the new 7000 down to the local lake to test out bucktails and spinnerbaits, should get used to her then. Will get the usual stares as there are no muskies in that lake! I'll see how it handles the big baits before I get serious about switchin gear ratios....or I'll just have to get another reel!

[MUSKY18]

Ahhhh, don't worry about funny looks! They just don't understand, now do they? Last night I spooled up my 7000 with some new Bronzeback. Wanting to make sure that I got it spooled nice and tight, I wraped the end around the ball of my Yukon, and then walked down the block until I got to the mono backing. Then reeled the line back up. Works great to make sure your line is spooled tightly, but sure did get some really strange looks!!