Can a 2500C be used to cast 3/4 ounce spoons or are they better suited for smaller lures? I realize that the spool is smaller so the retrieve rate might go down on a long cast then when compared to a 5000 but is the reel capable of casting heavier lures?
We normally use 5000-family reels when we go up to Canada to fish for pike and walleye and use them for casting 3/4 and 1 ounce spoons, #5 Mepps and larger crankbaits. We use spinning rods for smaller lures like 1/4 ounce crankbaits and jigs.
We're limited by weight because we fly in so I need to think through which combos I bring along. I bought a 2500C recently...always wanted one...and would like to take it with but I'm not sure it will handle larger lures.
Any input or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
I haven't been into my 2500 in a while, but aren't the mechanisms pretty much all the same? The levelwind pawl, worm and carriage will take most of the pressure/abuse from a heavier weight. The spindle and spool bearings much less so..
You could be right and that sounds logical...but I haven't dug into mine yet.
IMHO 3/4 should be fine as long as you're willing to put up with the slooowww retrieve bringing it back. You might even see the bottom of the spool depending on what line you use.
I tend to crank too fast so that actually might be a blessing in disguise because we often go up north in June when the water is cold.
What line weight will you be using? You will need a shock leader I would think - otherwise the line capacity will be very small with the sort of line required to cast a 3/4oz lure. There is no reason the 2500c won't cast that weigh - just doesn't seem like a very balanced outfit. Why don't you use it to replace one of those spinning outfits you mention?
20-30 pound spectra will make up for the smaller spool.
20 Spectra is what's on mine too. I fished with it for a while and liked the small size; but then decided I was happier with something lighter and without an anti-reverse and drag. With the right rod, the 2500 should throw a 3/4 oz spoon about a mile or so.
Here's (https://shopgoodwill.com/item/208274930) a rough 2500 for $20 plus shipping.
Quote from: oc1 on August 24, 2024, 05:45:08 AMHere's (https://shopgoodwill.com/item/208274930) a rough 2500 for $20 plus shipping.
That's just the opening bid though. I have the one I bought new in 1978. Still fish with it. They are a bit of a collector's item compared to the other sizes.
It's rough, but after pointing it out to a whole world of reel nuts there are still no bids. That site does not get much traffic. If I was a real reel junkie I'd have kept my mouth shut.
Please. Why tip my hand so early the auction still has 2 days on it. On the 'bay my first bid arrives in the last 3-5 seconds of the auction. At the earliest.
They only ship FedEx so it gets pricy if you live in the boondocks.
You'll be fine with 3/4 spoons. It'll probably wing them out of sight as the spool is fairly light (16g). The 2500C was designed to throw the same lures as the Abu Cardinal 3, which was introduced the same year as the 2500C. Back then, 1/4 oz was considered ultralight, and it'll throw that no problem.
(https://i.imgur.com/InFZuVJ.jpg)
The weak points of the 2500C are the pinion gear and frame. Running a locked drag could cause the pinion gear crown to warp or the frame to become misaligned. The frame can be fixed if you have access to a frame jig, while the pinion gear is out of production and you'd have to buy used or buy the Avail gear set. Max drag for these reels is about 6lb. Feel free to pick my brain, I have a pair of these along with their thumb bar counterparts, the 1600C IAR and 2600C IAR. I've tuned and built out many more than that for others and know these inside and out.
Most walleye fisherman don't use braid line ,I used to use Dam 220 with 6 lbs test and 1/16 to 1/8 oz jig or Rapalas Shadrap #7 .To use 1/4 oz spool I would use bigger reel with 10 lbs test prefer bait casting reel
Quote from: quang tran on August 25, 2024, 03:06:51 PMMost walleye fisherman don't use braid line ,I used to use Dam 220 with 6 lbs test and 1/16 to 1/8 oz jig or Rapalas Shadrap #7 .To use 1/4 oz spool I would use bigger reel with 10 lbs test prefer bait casting reel
I live not far from the Detroit River, the best walleye fishery in the USA. The fish are so numerous that one can catch their limit in minutes when the runs are in full swing during early spring and fall. I haven't seen anybody jigging with mono in quite a few years. Most everybody runs 8 or 10lb Power Pro jigging the river.
Once they learn how sensitive spectra is to lite bites and bottom makeup I think more would switch.
We regularly fish #5 Mepps and 3/4 jigs with 2500 series spinning reels and have no problem on pike up to 45". Could you bring fewer reels and swap rods when heavier baits are required? Or is there another place to save 1-2 lb on gear weight and bring more tackle?
Quote from: tincanary on August 25, 2024, 03:35:17 PMQuote from: quang tran on August 25, 2024, 03:06:51 PMMost walleye fisherman don't use braid line ,I used to use Dam 220 with 6 lbs test and 1/16 to 1/8 oz jig or Rapalas Shadrap #7 .To use 1/4 oz spool I would use bigger reel with 10 lbs test prefer bait casting reel
I live not far from the Detroit River, the best walleye fishery in the USA. The fish are so numerous that one can catch their limit in minutes when the runs are in full swing during early spring and fall. I haven't seen anybody jigging with mono in quite a few years. Most everybody runs 8 or 10lb Power Pro jigging the river.
That was long time ago when I live in Illinois and walleye and sauger quite small ,they're sensitive to line ,Braid is good but we have to use leader .Now I don't have any walleye in Texas
Short mono/fluro top shots cures this.
Sorry for my delayed response, I was away from email all weekend and have been working on a hot project at work. So many responses, I really appreciate all of you.
borntofish: we normally use 30 lb Spider Wire braid on our 5000's and I think the package said .012" diameter which is supposed to be the equivalent to 8 or 10 lb mono. I am concerned about line capacity on the 2500 because of this.
keta: I'm not familiar with 20-30 lb spectra, please help me understand how will that make up for the smaller spool?
tincanary: I hadn't taken drag capacity into consideration, do you think 6 lb is sufficient for what we're doing?
bradH: we're always fighting to reduce weight. I like to have three combos in the boat, one HD for big spoons and mepps, one medium duty for crankbaits and one medium light for jigs. However there is overlap between the crankbait and jigging combo.
Thank-you all again, I'll be eager to hear more feedback.
I do not like to handle small diameter Spectra due to line cuts. Most of my reels have 65# with the exception of a few small ones that have 30. However my fishing is not the same as yours. I have smaller reels I use for kokanee and steelhead that have 20#.
Here is a photo of my smallest 2 speed reel spooled with 30# next to a ABU 5601.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/38/1583-240824193036.jpeg)
Quote from: Walleye Guy on August 26, 2024, 05:24:14 PMtincanary: I hadn't taken drag capacity into consideration, do you think 6 lb is sufficient for what we're doing?
6lb is plenty good as long as you go by the rule of drag being set to 1/4 the strength of your weakest link. On my 2500C I seldom exceed 2lb of drag, and this is when running an 8lb leader for Great Lakes run steelhead, browns, and cohos. Being that you're running the rather deep factory spool, I'd fill it half way with backing line like 8lb Big Game, top it off with some 10-15lb Power Pro, then run a short length of leader. You can use cheap spring scale for setting your drag. You can attempt to do it by feel, but that typically ends to being inaccurate.
Quote from: Walleye Guy on August 26, 2024, 05:24:14 PMSorry for my delayed response, I was away from email all weekend and have been working on a hot project at work. So many responses, I really appreciate all of you.
borntofish: we normally use 30 lb Spider Wire braid on our 5000's and I think the package said .012" diameter which is supposed to be the equivalent to 8 or 10 lb mono. I am concerned about line capacity on the 2500 because of this.
As mentioned the drag is rather weak on the 2500c - it only has one soft washer on top of the gear, compared to a multiple stack on the 5000. I wouldn't put heavier than 10lb braid on a 2500C. Also it will hold plently of that.
It sounds like the general consensus is that the reel will handle a 3/4 ounce spoon without trouble as long as I don't crank down the drag star. Also I need to stick with a lighter duty line around 10 lb braid which not only suits the duty rating of the reel's mechanical construction but will also provide adequate spool capacity.
tincanary: I appreciate your offer to "pick your brain". If I have specific questions can I PM you? I live on the west side of Michigan so we're sort-of neighbors. ;D
Rod?
That would be the 2nd big consideration for me with those weightier lures.
Quote from: Walleye Guy on August 27, 2024, 07:07:04 PMtincanary: I appreciate your offer to "pick your brain". If I have specific questions can I PM you? I live on the west side of Michigan so we're sort-of neighbors. ;D
Absolutely. I'm in Wyandotte, about a mile from the Detroit River.
Quote from: tincanary on August 28, 2024, 10:52:35 AMQuote from: Walleye Guy on August 27, 2024, 07:07:04 PMtincanary: I appreciate your offer to "pick your brain". If I have specific questions can I PM you? I live on the west side of Michigan so we're sort-of neighbors. ;D
Absolutely. I'm in Wyandotte, about a mile from the Detroit River.
Take him up on the offer. A more knowledgeable and pleasant Abu person you won't find.
John
thorhammer, I plan on it. 👍
tincanary, I'm in Holland. I just updated my profile to show that...
If you need parts, I have quite a stash of them. Additionally, you can get most every part for these reels in the aftermarket except for side plates. Avail makes everything but side plates; they do frames, spools, press arms, line guides, cog wheels, pinion yokes, gear sets, driveshafts, worm gears, etc. Valleyhill is another manufacturer that does worm gears, cog wheels, and gear sets. Here in the states, we have Simon Shimomura that does CDL parts like frames and side plates, plus he will have his own aluminum offset frame and 6.3:1 titanium gear set out soon. The frame and gears were designed by Simon, but are made in Japan by Isuzu. Not Isuzu the auto manufacturer, but Isuzu reels, a division of Try-Angle who has been doing bench made reels inspired by Swedish designs since the 1970s.
I've been in touch with Simon about parts for this reel and am considering purchasing his clutch kit. Do you have any thoughts on this kit?
Quote from: Walleye Guy on August 30, 2024, 04:08:39 PMI've been in touch with Simon about parts for this reel and am considering purchasing his clutch kit. Do you have any thoughts on this kit?
It's well worth it. The original pinion bushing on the 2500C has a tight fit which causes the reel not to engage fully at times. The pinion bushing Simon came up with is UFO shaped, so it has room to move ensuring the reel turns over every time. The springs he used in the kit are modeled after the '75 2500C, which are known to be the best springs from a feel standpoint.