Hi everyone,
I'm an older man with 2 young children. We started freshwater fishing about a year and a half ago. After a couple of months; I decided to drop the hammer and start purchasing some Abu Garcia gear. Started out with a Black Max 3 and a Vendetta rod. Since then; it's become a voracious addiction. I've watched many videos on tuning and maintain my gear to where I've started doing the work myself.
Obviously; I still have a lot to learn, but believe this is the best site with the most common sense information to avoid many of the pitfalls that I've read others having made.
I look forward to hearing your suggestions and learning from you all.
Jim
Welcome !! What part of the country are you fishing ?
Glad you're in the group.
Frank
Welcome, Jim!
Welcome. Dominick San Mateo, CA
welcome! the ambassadeurs are great reels to start with!
Jim,
Welcome, and you found the right place! Many here have the same addiction! Sorry, but your in good company!
Brett
Quote from: Crow on September 24, 2017, 08:22:03 PM
Welcome !! What part of the country are you fishing ?
West Texas. About 50 miles west of Abilene. Not much water out here, but we're trying to make it count!
Welcome aboard, Jim --
Best,
Fred
Thanks, all. My Black Max 3 and Vendetta have now grown to 3 Black Max 3's, 3 Revo STX-SHS's, 3 MGXtreme's, 3 7000 CS Pro Rockets, 2 10000 CL's, and a 10000i. Rods include: 5 Vendettas, 3 Veritas, 3 Veritas Toros 40-60lb, 2 Veritas Toros 60-100lb, and 4 Villains. Oh; and a Japanese "World Monster" traveling 4 section rod. Totally cool. I've purchased an ultrasonic cleaner and maintain all that I have extremely well. The 10000's are in the process of being refurbed like new - although they were in decent shape when I bought them from Japan. Replacing the stock bearings with Boca's, and Carbontex drags on those and the 7000 series. Will begin working on my low profiles when I gain a little more confidence / experience. Yeah; and money!
Just placed a $120.00 + order with Southwestern. Had to go to E-Parts for a few discontinued items. Still looking for a few parts that are NLA for the 10000CL's, but am rolling snake eyes. Looking for 2 8948 drive shaft assemblies, and 2 9728 pressure washers for the drag system. I may being too anal in my detail, but I'd like to try to locate them if possible. I'd like these reels to look like new when I'm finished. I realize this is probably not the proper forum, but am just beginning to navigate the site.
Thanks again.
Welcome Jim....Bill
Welcome, Jim..... you're hooked well....
Sid
Jim...looks like you have quite an arsenal down there in Texas. Welcome from Idaho
A big welcome from East TN to Jim. You have good taste in fishing tackle and have found the right place for advice.
Welcome Jim. Abus are great reels. I fish them even in the salt.
Thank you all for the kind replies and encouragement. Make that 3 10000CL's now. Have opened an account with Boca, and established a very nice contact - Jeff Brooks - who noticed the sudden multiple purchases and gave me a call as well. Lot's of good info from him. Still much to learn, but I feel like I've gone to Heaven by joining this forum. Everyone has been so helpful - without condescension - on my lack of ability / knowledge.
Went to a local pawn shop Saturday and saw that they had some fishing gear. Lo and behold; there was a broken down, old Abu / Mitchell spinner in hideous condition. My first pat on the back from myself. I know it's not exactly a collectable, but I figured if I could fix that thing; I'd really done something. Sho' 'nuff; 3 hours later, and I'd stripped the 1040 reel down to rusty parts; cleaned what I could, lightly sanded and coated a few rusted spots, and reassembled it. It probably didn't work this good when it was new. Again, not much for bragging rights, but no schematic, and little experience - I am happy. The rod still needs a tip, but after cleaning; pretty decent condition.
I hope to return the favors of your knowledge before long.
Thanks again!
Way to go, Jim D. What might have ended up in the trash ends up posing a challenge for an inquisitive mind & voila!
Some folks just like working with their hands & get satisfaction from the end result (like me).
Frank
It reeked of age and personality. I'd have been happy just to have it as a piece of nostalgia, but had the "fix it" bug in less than 5 miles home. My 10 year old angel, Emma asked me if I'd leave it to her when I take a nap in the horizontal phone booth. She said that she wanted something that reminded her of me because I could take anything old and broken and make it like new. A bit ambitious in her belief, but it sure choked me up. Pretty humble ambition, as well. A $10.00 rod and reel. Win.
Jim D., I'm reminded of 2 sayings: 1) From simple things come...; and 2) From the mouths of babes....
Frank
I wish I had taken some before photos, as well as the disassembly, and care that went into bringing it back to life. No anti reverse. Fixed. No drag adjustment. Fixed. Bail nearly rusted to inability to articulate. Fixed. But; a few "after" photos. I have a vintage Fuji tip on order for $7.00. Spooled it with some #8 mono today.
Your thoughts?