Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Hey all. Just stumbled accross the BEAST lol. It's green and model number 5600HD. Something about "super brass gearing". Anyways it's a pretty expensive. Just wondering if it's much beefier then a stock 5600C4; and any other worthwhile differences for all that extra money. Thanks

https://www.abugarcia-fishing.eu/products/ambassadeurbeast-hd-reel-1556391

I haven't seen this reel, but I do know that the regular 5600C4 simply cna'tstand up to big fish. Some people up here use them with 50 or even 65# braid for salmon and fry the gears when the frame torques under heavy drag. Whether it's worth them money depends on how much you like Ambassadeurs.

I have one of the first Abu Beast. Its a remake of the Abu Inshore. It is a much stronger version of the 6500. Because of the price people shy away from it. It took some time to tune it and various upgrades to get it where I wanted it. The spool shaft and other parts are coated with a special ceramic coating. Time will only tell if it will last over time.

Mike

Is the shaft to brake plate attachment stronger?

Bob, for the price you could get a Daiwa Lexa 400 hd low profile and catch yellowtail and tuna if that was your idea of catching large fish?

Quote from: mikeysm on November 16, 2024, 02:18:27 PMI have one of the first Abu Beast. Its a remake of the Abu Inshore. It is a much stronger version of the 6500. Because of the price people shy away from it. It took some time to tune it and various upgrades to get it where I wanted it. The spool shaft and other parts are coated with a special ceramic coating. Time will only tell if it will last over time.

Mike

I totally forgot about the inshore. That's actually an amazing value these days used. However I'm assuming the line guide does not or does move back and forth while the reel is infree spool/casting?

The line guide moves in freespool. I took the stainless steel gears from a inshore and they worked out perfectly. I have a aluminum idler gear. I also installed a ceramic line guide. I has the same bridge as all the other reels.

Quote from: mikeysm on November 16, 2024, 08:06:14 PMThe line guide moves in freespool. I took the stainless steel gears from a inshore and they worked out perfectly. I have a aluminum idler gear. I also installed a ceramic line guide. I has the same bridge as all the other reels.

Great tip about the steel gears. Thanks. Shame the beast has only 3 bearings; I guess an upgrade is in order.

I have bearings everywhere. More than three. The idler gear and the line guide shaft. The handle knobs. Both sides of the spool. And the shaft sleeve.

Wow, that's really an impressive reel. What kind of line is on it? Tournament ande?

Have seen a used one For Sale locally the price has dropped from $C500 to $C350 or so-Thanks for the intel.

I think its ande 20lb. I only use ande on my reels unless I use braid.

Quote from: pointbob on November 16, 2024, 12:08:53 AMHey all. Just stumbled accross the BEAST lol. It's green and model number 5600HD. Something about "super brass gearing". Anyways it's a pretty expensive. Just wondering if it's much beefier then a stock 5600C4; and any other worthwhile differences for all that extra money. Thanks

From what I found, it's a one bearing reel, so not a bunch of bearings to worry about maintaining, and has dual anti-reverse. It is much stronger than a C4 (which has a bad reputation). Worth the money? I can think of better options for less.

Quote from: nelz on November 18, 2024, 03:20:42 AM...Worth the money? I can think of better options for less.

That's what I thought when researching it first I saw one-so many options now.

I dont know about the newer reels but mine is full of bearings.