abu garcia modifications

poking around on ebay I found some english casting fanatic who makes some cool custom parts for ambassadeurs.

1. stainless steel pinion gear. this is the 'little' gear wheel that gets driven by the big main wheel. because it only has
a few teeth, it bears the brunt of the wear. stock, the gear is brass. the higher the gear ratio the smaller this gear
is and the faster it probably wears out. he only offers it in 5.3:1 right handed.

2. bars to convert a level wind reel into a non-level wind (CT) reel. custom machined from stainless.

3. a spacer to replace the nylon cog that would normally drive the level-wind mechanism. the cog causes drag via
surface to surface friction and a little bit of air resistance.  the spacer eliminates that.

A 5500 with carbon fiber drag, steel pinion and CT conversion would be super cool little casting reel for 30lb spectra.
It would be like a $250 penn baja special in terms of drag and capacity but at about 1/2 the weight. now, the cost of
all these add-ons probably drives the cost up, but if you started with a used $35 dollar amabassadeur you can spend
a lot in upgrades.

if less spool mass means more casting distance, this would be pretty good.

Hey John,

Did you bookmark his auction(s)?  I'd like to check it out.

#2 sounds like a winner. 

  http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZdkstenson

the selller is dkstenson of the UK. (looks like rates aren't too bad from there to here).

randy, curiosity got the better of me and I ordered a pair of 4 series bars and a pair of 5 series bars,
plus a couple bushings and a steel pinion from this english dude.

Assuming they arrive, it will probably take me until next winter to put them in, but if you remember to ask, hopefully I will
be able to show you  a CT converted reel someday.

putting them in does involve a hacksaw, so it's not totally trivial, but doesn't look too bad either.

J

So I got these parts.

Not exactly bargain basement, but custom machining is cool!

I put the steel pinion in a 4600 and it works like it is supposed to work.

My plan is to convert this 4600 to a CT (non-levelwind) config with a power handle, steel pinion,
ceramic bearings and greased carbon fiber drag.  super-tiny super-line casting machine!

Here is a photo of a 4600 converted to CT (non levelwind) from that english dude on ebay. dkstenson.

This one also has a mag brake conversion.

inside it would have the plastic level wind sprocket replaced with a brass bushing
and probably the brass pinion replaced with a stainless steel one.

These are used by surf fisherman in the UK mainly as I understand it.

I think I will convert a 4 series and a 5 series, I'm trying to decide if I should convert one with the
thumbar or not. I think long casts implies less casts which implies pushbutton, not thumbar but I
need to think about it a bit.

J

Doesn't the c5 series already have mags? I have the 6600C5 and it has a button that rolls up or down for the mags.

I know that non-levelwind will out cast levelwind reels, but I don't think the difference in distance is that great. Maybe 5 to 10 more yards...? I'm not sure. A push button is a lot easier for repeat casts.

Have you seen the C3 magelite. They come with or w/o levelwind. It's a sweet reel.

Doesn't look to palm friendly. What's the tube sticking out the side? Mag adj?

the english dude that made it casts 220 yards with this one.

it's not a bass reel, 

to be clear, this is not the average mod, it's for those tournament casters and
also surf fisherman that cast a long ways out, like east coast and england.

it's kind of interesting to a kayakfisherman if they want a lightweight non-level wind
rod that is based on a form factor they are familiar with.

I don't know if the mag mod is required for non-birds-nest distance casting.

you could cast a lighter iron or different lure on 30lb braid to a yellowtail in so cal for instance.

as for the other use of magnets in abus, sure they are there in some reels but not all.

Maybe the point is that these reels can be mod'ed and there is a subculture out there
that is into that.

Sometimes it's worth looking at different types of modifications either because it is interesting
or possibly useful, sometimes even both.

the magelite:



looks like 6500 size, two went on ebay yesterday for $90, I see them on ffo for $180.

the magelite, such a nice reel.

I believe there is a site that makes mods to abus. Hatteras or something like that. Check it out, you can purchase fully modified abus...

220yards...now that's some distance. I can't even reach half of that. So is he reaching 220yds. with or w/o mags? Either way, much props to him...

I guess they mag the reel so they don't have to thumb the reel while line is coming out. And only apply pressure when it's about to hit the water or ground.

well I did convert a 5501 I bought used for $20 to "CT" spec, non level wind.

one bar and one brass bushing.

looks basically like the picture, but with no MAG bayonet sticking out the side.

also converted a 4600 to non level wind for a cool little new-school jigmaster type setup.

this one has

• greased carbon fiber drag
• greased ceramic bearings (for water resistance)
• power handle
• stainless steel pinion gear instead of stock brass. 5.3:1
• has 125 yards of 20lb fireline with room for 40lb mono topshot, probably hold 200 yards of 20lb power pro

tested this on the trip with alan tani on a 8'6" steelhead rod. worked great!

J