Question: Abu C3 6501

Hi all,
Still really new as a fisherman (just started a few months ago) & i've got a question regarding my brand new Abu Garcia C3 6501 reel. Just spooled it with a ~10ft. monofilament leader from the reel to braided line w/a uni to uni knot & tied a swivel to the end of that. Now the question: Once the swivel meets the end of the rod at the first eye I am still able to turn the handle slightly & this worries me; also, with the drag tightened pretty much all the way, I am still able to pull out a bit of line with what seems like not very much force. Is this normal? BTW: I have yet to try it on the water yet...

Thanks for any insights you may have to offer  <*((((><

Also, I am confident it is not slipping on the spool; my wife pulled the line out while I watched & felt the inside rim section of the spool move. Pretty bummed if this is an issue as I was planning on fishing Sunday :/

For a "left-handed" baitcaster reel like the 6501, the drag is tightened by turning the star counter-clockwise.  This runs against what I'm used to, and I'm still getting accustomed to it - hopefully you're not making the same mistake?

Also, "left handed" is in quotes, because I think it's only natural to want the arm with more strength and dexterity handling the fishing rod.  Hence, why all my baitcasters are "left handed" while I'm right handed.

Another problem might be oil or grease on the drag washers, but might be less likely with a new reel.

I had the same problem.  The spectra is slipping on your spool.  Do a google search on spooling spectra.  Wrap one layer of spectra then put eletrical tape on top. Then spool the rest of your spectra line.

First bit on the spool for me is mono, then braid, then 20ft top shot. The mono keeps it from slipping.
Don't be afraid to control the drag with your thumb either. It takes some practice, but I use a lighter drag and my thumb if I need to slow it down more. It's faster and after a bit of practice seems a lot more natural than having to always adjust a lever or star drag.

First bit on the spool for me is mono, then braid, then 20ft top shot. The mono keeps it from slipping.
Don't be afraid to control the drag with your thumb either. It takes some practice, but I use a lighter drag and my thumb if I need to slow it down more. It's faster and after a bit of practice seems a lot more natural than having to always adjust a lever or star drag.

Totes spot on.tie some mono on first about 6" should be enough ,then do your "uni to uni"knot to the braid that should take care of it.another method is after you tie your braid directly to the spool take some electrical tape and tape down the braid before you start spooling it.im not a fan of the tape method so all my reels that has braid gets about 6"of mono the braid

Thanks for the insights everybody. I put the 10' backing of mono to the spool before tying the braid & spooling the real; still pretty sure its not slipping; but, I will re-spool it today just to be sure and see what happens. Wife and I are going out tomorrow and so that will be the true test. Really hope it's not a defective reel; I already had a defective Okuma spinning reel that took a month to get back from being fixed...
Blessings all,

If you took the steps to back it with mono before spooling the braid, then it sounds like it might be a defective reel.  Doesn't sound like a common issue, but I've had it happen once with a brand new Shimano Curado reel that I had to return.  I am certain it was not a slipping issue as I was able to keep the spool with line on it and just exchange the reel portion.  Hope you get it resolved.

Certain reels just aren't built for braid. Some the drag is meant for the stretch of mono to work with it and others (newer model reels) are built for braid. Had a Daiwa Sealine 40 and with braid you can pull on it with ease on max drag. Took the braid off and spooled with 30# mono and the reel works perfectly fine. Caught sturgeon, halibut and salmon on the same Sealine reel. It's important to read the specs on reels and see that it will handle just braid alone.

Certain reels just aren't built for braid. Some the drag is meant for the stretch of mono to work with it and others (newer model reels) are built for braid. Had a Daiwa Sealine 40 and with braid you can pull on it with ease on max drag. Took the braid off and spooled with 30# mono and the reel works perfectly fine. Caught sturgeon, halibut and salmon on the same Sealine reel. It's important to read the specs on reels and see that it will handle just braid alone.

this does not make sense to me. drag is pressure applied to the spool , it knows not weather you have braid or mono,  i say you had some braid slipage.

So when you say that the drag is slipping,are you holding the reel and pulling on the line?if so try this.mount the reel,run the line thru the guides,hold the rod in one hand and try to pull the line out that way I'm sure your drag is holding plenty

Certain reels just aren't built for braid. Some the drag is meant for the stretch of mono to work with it and others (newer model reels) are built for braid. Had a Daiwa Sealine 40 and with braid you can pull on it with ease on max drag. Took the braid off and spooled with 30# mono and the reel works perfectly fine. Caught sturgeon, halibut and salmon on the same Sealine reel. It's important to read the specs on reels and see that it will handle just braid alone.

this does not make sense to me. drag is pressure applied to the spool , it knows not weather you have braid or mono,  i say you had some braid slipage.

+1

So when you say that the drag is slipping,are you holding the reel and pulling on the line?if so try this.mount the reel,run the line thru the guides,hold the rod in one hand and try to pull the line out that way I'm sure your drag is holding plenty

Mienboy: Think you are correct. Had my wife hold the rod/reel as if a fish was on and I tried pulling the line down towards the ground; the rod (shimano trevala) bent beautifully and NO line came out
After going out tomorrow I will confirm, but I think she is ready to catch some fish <*((((><

Thanks everyone

Don't forget to post the report

goodluck! I have 3 Abu reels and love them all. 2 of them are 15+ yrs old!