Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: mko72 on July 09, 2015, 10:34:36 AM

Title: Drag Issue w/ Baitcaster
Post by: mko72 on July 09, 2015, 10:34:36 AM

I've got an Abu Garcia Ambasedeur 5600C and I find that the drag is funky. It feels like it's at 100% so you loosen a little bit at a time but it's still 100%
then a little more,
little more,
little more,
still at 100%,
so a little more,
little more,
still 100%,
little more,
bam! all the way off! 0%

When you're playing the fish the reel has almost no give, but then it's got all the give and fish peels off a bunch of line with almost no resistance.

I'm guessing something is worn out.  Thoughts?

Title: Re: Drag Issue w/ Baitcaster
Post by: EZ_Rolling on July 09, 2015, 10:40:23 AM

possibly drag washers, I took mine to Mikes and had the upgraded ones put in, cheap and the reel worked great after.

Title: Re: Drag Issue w/ Baitcaster
Post by: FlyFishin Magician on July 09, 2015, 08:09:42 PM

Yep, sounds like something's worn out.   ;D ;D ;D

Your reel might need a good cleaning.  If you haven't done this yourself, I'd suggest taking it to Mike's Reel Repair and have them service the reel for you.  There are some vids online that may be helpful to you when cleaning out your reel.  This is a cool video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRrP8_kMwEk

Title: Re: Drag Issue w/ Baitcaster
Post by: Flytech on July 09, 2015, 08:46:01 PM

Mikes reel repair gets another vote from me. Great people.

Title: Re: Drag Issue w/ Baitcaster
Post by: typhoon on July 10, 2015, 06:18:08 AM

I had something similar in a used reel I bought.
It turned out that someone had coated the drag washers with so much lube that they couldn't add drag.
A simple cleaning and good as new.

Title: Re: Drag Issue w/ Baitcaster
Post by: Tadpole on July 11, 2015, 12:09:10 AM

 ABU's are bomb proof. Just download yourself schematic from Mike's site by model number. Print it out for convenience, get small flat and Philips screwdrivers and small range. I believe it is 10 mm size. Ambassador supply's this range when you by your reel. It is in a kit.
 Follow assemble/disassemble as per diagram and wash all parts with ISO alcohol. Even your drag washers. Original drag washers are carbon type, but you can upgrade for smooth ones from Mike's. They call them dartanium type. Degrease/clean all the parts and reassemble back as per diagram.
 It is not difficult at all as ABU's are simple workhorse reels. Once a year cleaning is a must if you fish a lot.
 The only parts needed when real problems occur are worm gear and pawl. Pawl you can upgrade to ceramic and it would be your last one.