Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: prairiefire on September 26, 2008, 02:11:02 AM

Title: New reel
Post by: prairiefire on September 26, 2008, 02:11:02 AM
I just got my new Abu 5601C4 from Cabelas. This is my first "Brand New" baitcaster. Is there any thing I need to do to it before using? Also I am not to sure what weight of line to put on it. I'm stuck between 12 or 15 pound test.  ??? I'm hoping to hit the Vedder on Saturday for the first time this year.

Thanks
Title: Re: New reel
Post by: bentrod on September 26, 2008, 03:20:01 AM
I'd spool up with 15# and use either 12 or 15# leader.  Should work fine. 
Title: Re: New reel
Post by: dennisK on September 26, 2008, 07:20:17 AM
Personally I'd get it spooled with 60lb  or 80lb power pro; and learn how to make good connecting knots.
Title: Re: New reel
Post by: Sam Salmon on September 26, 2008, 10:37:31 AM
If you're at all mechanical take the bearings out and clean then with lighter fluid or something similar, then use Rocket Fuel or Zebco's Hot Sauce to lubricate.

Using a fast oil means you'll be a faster caster. 8)
Title: Re: New reel
Post by: Marsman on September 26, 2008, 10:44:25 AM
15lb Ultragreen and 10lb leader.  That's all you need.  If you want to take the chance to bend something then use the 50lb+ power pro.

Cheers, Rob
Title: Re: New reel
Post by: milo on September 26, 2008, 11:32:48 AM
I'll second the 15 pound test maxima and 10 pound test leader.
Good enough for just about everything on the Vedder except maybe the angriest and meanest of springs.

Put a drop (just a drop) of the supplied oil into the worm gear.

And whatever pound test you decide to go with, make sure it matches your rod.

Enjoy your new toy. It's a great reel.
Title: Re: New reel
Post by: BwiBwi on September 26, 2008, 11:35:05 AM
If you do plan to fish for springs, I would suggest going with 20lb main.
Title: Re: New reel
Post by: prairiefire on September 26, 2008, 12:26:26 PM
Sorry for the newbie questions. Where do I find the wormgear? Do I have to take it apart?
Title: Re: New reel
Post by: milo on September 26, 2008, 01:10:35 PM
Sorry for the newbie questions. Where do I find the wormgear? Do I have to take it apart?

No, not at all. The worm gear is below the levelwind, easy to access. The levelwind "slides" on the wormgear as you cast and reel in, allowing for even distribution of the line on the spool.

This picture should help:

(http://www.coastalfishing.org/articles/rs8.jpg)

When you put a drop of oil on the wormgear, make sure to turn the handle a few times to distribute the oil evenly across the piece.
Title: Re: New reel
Post by: firstlight on September 26, 2008, 06:37:24 PM
The part that slides on the wormgear is called a Pawl.
Not a bad idea to change them every few seasons.
Specially if your into any amount of Chum or Springs.
Have fun with the new bling.
Title: Re: New reel
Post by: David_R on September 28, 2008, 12:58:14 PM
Personally I'd get it spooled with 60lb  or 80lb power pro; and learn how to make good connecting knots.

What are you fishing for, halibut?!
For most salmon fishing you really don't need to go heavier than 30lb. I use 30lb line for springs, and 12 to 20 lb for coho fishing
Title: Re: New reel
Post by: Every Day on September 28, 2008, 03:42:27 PM
12 pound main line and 8 pound flouro carbon leader has done me well so far on springs  ;)
Title: Re: New reel
Post by: YY on September 28, 2008, 04:51:12 PM
Personally I'd get it spooled with 60lb  or 80lb power pro; and learn how to make good connecting knots.

What are you fishing for, halibut?!
For most salmon fishing you really don't need to go heavier than 30lb. I use 30lb line for springs, and 12 to 20 lb for coho fishing

When using braided line, it's usual practice to equate the diameter of the line to mono instead of the line test. For example, if you want to switch to braid after using 12lb mono, you would switch to 30lb braid, etc.
Title: Re: New reel
Post by: David_R on September 28, 2008, 06:24:52 PM
I guess that makes sense... I used braided on my rig for bar fishing this year and found it obnoxious, because it was more limp than mono it tangled around everything... always, and was really difficult to deal with. Maybe if I had used a heavier braided line than 30lb it wouldn't have been as worse
Title: Re: New reel
Post by: bentrod on September 28, 2008, 07:13:38 PM
Just remember, when fishing braid, you get no stretch.  This means, your leader, rod and reel take all the shock.  I only use it for long line applications like fishing deep off a downrigger, really heavy cover for bass and deep jigging.