Drag Pressure

[Scattergun2570]

Does anyone have any idea how much drag pressure can be achieved by a 6501 C3 & 7000 size Respectively? I will be installing Carbontex washers in both. Ballpark figure? Thanks

[akfish]

Not much. Maybe 8# on the 5501 and 10# on the 7000. That's plenty to fish 30# line on the 7000.

[alantani]

max is more, but a good woking drag pressure would be 3-5 pounds. 

[mo65]

   I fish the 5500/6500 at 5-10 pounds with 30lb. mono. You can definitely eek out a few more pounds on top...but you'll be taxing those stock gears pretty hard.

[oc1]

I love those things, but the frame is not the strongest thing in the world.  You could probably torque it bare handed.
-steve

[Scattergun2570]

Not much. Maybe 8# on the 5501 and 10# on the 7000. That's plenty to fish 30# line on the 7000.

That little huh? Oh well,no fishing Stripers in current in that case. Ok,I guess I have to stick with the spinning gear.

[mo65]

That little huh? Oh well,no fishing Stripers in current in that case. Ok,I guess I have to stick with the spinning gear.

   Abu Garcia says the Striper Special(a 6500 size reel) tops out at 15 pounds. Most guys I know fish them at 8-10 pounds, so that range will handle most striper fishing. The 7000 size might be better in heavy current, as those can get a few more pounds on top.

[steelfish]

abu garcia claims 15# of some 6500 round reels as the record 60, stripper special, catfish special, etc and 20# on the 7000 sized reels.
real world recommended drag might be half of that on each case.


I have the 6500c3, record 60, 7000c and 6600c,  the frame and sideplates on the Record 60 are really more strong that the frame/sideplates on my 6500c3. so, depending on your reel you can use a bit more drag than 7-8#

[Scattergun2570]

abu garcia claims 15# of some 6500 round reels as the record 60, stripper special, catfish special, etc and 20# on the 7000 sized reels.
real world recommended drag might be half of that on each case.


I have the 6500c3, record 60, 7000c and 6600c,  the frame and sideplates on the Record 60 are really more strong that the frame/sideplates on my 6500c3. so, depending on your reel you can use a bit more drag than 7-8#

Sounds like I may need to look outside of Abus..tough finding a left handed reel capable of Doing what I need.

[oc1]

.tough finding a left handed reel capable of Doing what I need.

There are those who are are not afraid of anything up to about 50 pounds with an ambassadeur round reel.  I think 7000's have been a surfcasting staple.
-steve

[Scattergun2570]

.tough finding a left handed reel capable of Doing what I need.

There are those who are are not afraid of anything up to about 50 pounds with an ambassadeur round reel.  I think 7000's have been a surfcasting staple.
-steve

yes for the surf I wouldn`t hesitate,but I need a reel for fishing from the shore,next to a bridge with pretty heavy current.

[tincanary]

abu garcia claims 15# of some 6500 round reels as the record 60, stripper special, catfish special, etc and 20# on the 7000 sized reels.
real world recommended drag might be half of that on each case.


I have the 6500c3, record 60, 7000c and 6600c,  the frame and sideplates on the Record 60 are really more strong that the frame/sideplates on my 6500c3. so, depending on your reel you can use a bit more drag than 7-8#

Sounds like I may need to look outside of Abus..tough finding a left handed reel capable of Doing what I need.

Look into the Calcutta 400/401.  The one piece aluminum frame is much stronger than any Abu frame, even the heavy duty chromed brass frames that come on the Record and Pro Rocket.  It won't twist.  Max drag capability is a little more than the Ambassadeur, plenty usable for your purposes.  If you're stuck on Abu, the 6500 Beast also has a one piece aluminum frame.  A seller by the name of Cardinal Parts sells them on eBay much less than MSRP, at about $260 or so.  Otherwise they run about $400.  I wish they would down size that frame to work with 4500 and 5500 sizes, really nice piece.

Here's a Calcutta 400 from a customer of mine that I had went through.


Another one to look at, the older Abu Black Max/Pro Max line of reels.  They are built much like the Calcutta and come in sizes from 1600 all the way to 6600.  Like the Calcutta, they have a one piece aluminum frame with a low reel seat and in the smaller 1600 and 3600 sizes, a disengaging level wind.  Only issue on your part is they never made them in left hand retrieve.  The drag stack is the same as the Ambassadeur 4500/5500/6500.  For a little fun fact, once these reels hit the market, Abu then changed their 4500/5500/6500 reels over to the free floating spool design with the fixed axle used in more contemporary models versus the older design with the pressed in spool shaft.  You can find these reels on eBay for less than $50 quite often.  I think they're a far superior reel to the standard Ambassadeur but they are quite overshadowed due to them not having that classic Ambassadeur look.  Here's a Black Max 1600 of mine, the spiritual successor to the famous 1500C.  I like this guy for throwing small baits, like CD01 Rapala Countdowns and such.

[Tiddlerbasher]

abu garcia claims 15# of some 6500 round reels as the record 60, stripper special, catfish special, etc and 20# on the 7000 sized reels.
real world recommended drag might be half of that on each case.


I have the 6500c3, record 60, 7000c and 6600c,  the frame and sideplates on the Record 60 are really more strong that the frame/sideplates on my 6500c3. so, depending on your reel you can use a bit more drag than 7-8#

Sounds like I may need to look outside of Abus..tough finding a left handed reel capable of Doing what I need.

Look into the Calcutta 400/401.  The one piece aluminum frame is much stronger than any Abu frame, even the heavy duty chromed brass frames that come on the Record and Pro Rocket.  It won't twist.  Max drag capability is a little more than the Ambassadeur, plenty usable for your purposes.  If you're stuck on Abu, the 6500 Beast also has a one piece aluminum frame.  A seller by the name of Cardinal Parts sells them on eBay much less than MSRP, at about $260 or so.  Otherwise they run about $400.  I wish they would down size that frame to work with 4500 and 5500 sizes, really nice piece.

Here's a Calcutta 400 from a customer of mine that I had went through.


Another one to look at, the older Abu Black Max/Pro Max line of reels.  They are built much like the Calcutta and come in sizes from 1600 all the way to 6600.  Like the Calcutta, they have a one piece aluminum frame with a low reel seat and in the smaller 1600 and 3600 sizes, a disengaging level wind.  Only issue on your part is they never made them in left hand retrieve.  The drag stack is the same as the Ambassadeur 4500/5500/6500.  For a little fun fact, once these reels hit the market, Abu then changed their 4500/5500/6500 reels over to the free floating spool design with the fixed axle used in more contemporary models versus the older design with the pressed in spool shaft.  You can find these reels on eBay for less than $50 quite often.  I think they're a far superior reel to the standard Ambassadeur but they are quite overshadowed due to them not having that classic Ambassadeur look.  Here's a Black Max 1600 of mine, the spiritual successor to the famous 1500C.  I like this guy for throwing small baits, like CD01 Rapala Countdowns and such.

Akios make a 'clone' that may fit your bill:
https://akios-superstore.co.uk/Akios-Shuttle-Multiplier-Reels

I have lefty 551 that I really like

[steelfish]

Sounds like I may need to look outside of Abus..tough finding a left handed reel capable of Doing what I need.

well, now it  depends on you budget, there are tons of small reels that have more drag and are more solid that an abu ambassadeur, saltist, avet, new avet star drag, etc

one of my favorite small reels is my saltist 20h (1st gen), really smooth, solid, cast to the moon and have a nice workable drag of at least 12# but could do more if I need, I know its not lefty, but in my case I use use my round abu reels from the beach/shore, other wise I'd use my saltist or my calcutta 400TE, all three reels are almost the same size

[Scattergun2570]

Sounds like I may need to look outside of Abus..tough finding a left handed reel capable of Doing what I need.

well, now it  depends on you budget, there are tons of small reels that have more drag and are more solid that an abu ambassadeur, saltist, avet, new avet star drag, etc

one of my favorite small reels is my saltist 20h (1st gen), really smooth, solid, cast to the moon and have a nice workable drag of at least 12# but could do more if I need, I know its not lefty, but in my case I use use my round abu reels from the beach/shore, other wise I'd use my saltist or my calcutta 400TE, all three reels are almost the same size

I like the Saltist,,but 12#? I am very skeptical thats enough drag especially on a moon tide..I need to stop a Striper than may be 30lbs from getting under the bridge into the supports..if she gets under,its over. And yes I need lefty..I am right handed,but find it very uncomfortable reeling right handed.