Abu Garcia Owners (Ago) 2024

Traveler2586 reply :

I see there are a lot of scattered threads on Bass Resource about Abu Garcia reels, and other reels as well. I too have some questions about AG reels, but don’t want to hijack someone else’s thread with my questions.

So, not seeing a manufacture specific thread that covers the spectrum of the manufactures products, I thought I’d start this Abu Garcia thread where we can ask questions of other Garcia owners.

Hopefully, we can keep this positive (I got my rose colored glasses on now) and not resort to reel or brand bashing.

But, if you have a reel (real) question about your AG reel, post it, and hopefully you’ll find other’s that have the same AG reel.

Traveler2586 reply :

I'll start off by asking for comments pro & con on AG Pro Max casting reels.

I am currently using several AG Ambassadeur Ultra Mag XL Plus reels I purchased back in the mid 80's. I have been maintaining these reels myself and get my parts from AG service centers. Well, it's time for another overhaul of the drag systems and I started thinking "is it time to retire my old friends, or not"; after all these years I can still get parts, but when do you call it quits?

So, I started looking at other AG reels and found the Pro Max at TW for $79.99. I can't see paying a lot for a reel cause I'm not making a living at fishing, it's just a past time for me (I'm not that good at it too) and I'm retired, which means I'm on a fixed income and don't have a lot of money to through around.

But I would be interested to see what other Pro Max owners think of them; or should I keep looking?

loudcherokee reply :

I've only had one outing with mine (promax), and I'm still getting used to it. Its too soon to make a definite decision if I did good or not, and I think I need it on a new rod instead of the 5'6" one I have it on now, but it seems great so far. I originally went looking for an ORRA SX and gander mountain didn't have any, but I liked the Max over several other reels in my price range I fondled while at the reel counter.

I plan on going back out with it this weekend. Pros so far are super smooth retrieve, very fast with the 7:1 gear ratio, and the only backlashes seem to be my fault. Time will tell.

Felix77 reply :

I am a huge fan of the Max series of reels. I own 4 silver and one Pro. I use them for my tournaments and they hold up very well under the constant demands I put on it.

Traveler2586 reply :

I was looking at both the Silver and the Black Max, but saw the Pro was their top of the Max line reel, so I focused on it. Does the Silver have the Flipping Switch? I can't tell from the TW adds.

At one time I considered buying used Mag Plus reels from ebay just to maintain a supply of them; but I gave up on that idea as long as I can get parts, and thats been going on for about 28 years now !!

And as Eddieg says above I may have an issue with going to a low profile reel after the Mag Plus, but I do have two other reels (not AG) that may mitigate that problem.

I guess I could double the price window and look at the lower end Revo's, but I'm not sure the return on the investment is there for someone at my skill level.

Question; is the C-3 and the Ambassadur Record Bass reels or saltwater, again I can't tell from the TW description.

GeorgiaBassBros reply :

I love my revo s but it seems to have a position where you can push the thumb bar down enough to cast and reel but it never really engages the reel. After that happens i have to push down on the bar pretty hard to get it to go down all the way. Any one else experience this?

SirSnookalot reply :

I can only address spinning reels, I have 4 Abu sorons all used in saltwater, they perform as well as the other 5 major brands I own.

basshole8190 reply :

I love my pro max its smooth, great drag system, and lightweight never had a problem out of mine i also own two black and 1 silver max is awesome for flipping

McAlpine reply :

I had a Silver Max and honestly for the money they are a really great little reel but I put it on my primary squarebill rod which is alot of casting and something I use quite a bit. The reel lasted 3 seasons and was done. I replaced it this year with a Lews but for the average guy that wont cycle as many casts as I did, for the money it's a good buy.

My recent favorite reel has been the Abu STX. Well...Gen 2 that is. I really believe this was the best bang for the buck on the market in a mid-range to low high-end reel. Then this year I went to get another one and Cabela's only had the Gen 3. I didn't think anything of it until I put it on a rod. Different reel, not nearly as good and I am thinking about taking it back. Too bad AG ruined this series. Hope there is a Gen 4 that gets back to the solid qualities of the STX.

Just got my first MGX this week and was casting it off the dock last night. Very nice, very smooth. Not sure it's that much better than the Gen 2 STX yet for the large cost increase. It does appear to have a way different braking system so more info after I have a chance to really use it.

anonbassman reply :

I would also reccomend the SilverMax. I did some research before purchasing it, and many of the reviews I read recommended it over the ProMax. I have one of them on a Abu Vendetta rod, and One on a Skeet Reese spinnerbait/worm rod. I have zero complaints about either. (I only wish I had one more).

I think the only real difference between the Pro andSilver is the gear ratio Pro is 7.1 Silver is 6.4

I would just buy the reel though and not the combos. The rod they give you isn't anything to write home about.

For the price they are not gonna break the bank and you get a pretty solid reel. You can get 2-3 of them for the price of 1 really nice reel. Or, if your replace one reel every 3-5 years that will still be 9-15 years before you break even with a high end model. If your performing regular maintenance/repairs to them I'm sure you can get them to last forever.

If you want spinning gear I would go with the Pflueger president series. Nice reel at a nice price.

dodgeguy reply :

you might want to consider the orra by ag.it's an aluminum frame and has a better braking system than the pro max.

MCS reply :

Orras are on sale now. If you go to Land_Big_Fish they have the SX casting reel for 79.95.
I think they are running a 20% off Orra S and SX both spinning and casting and Veritas and Villian rods and thay are having 15% off fathers day too, don't know if you can apply to the 20% though.

BobP reply :

Maybe it's unwarranted bias, but I think any baitcaster with a graphite frame will flex enough that its long term durability is questionable. I bought several Pro Max 1600's from the early 70's on Ebay that are still going strong. Round reels, reliable design, aluminum frames and 6 internal bearings that make it as smooth as butter. Heavier than modern reels but not by a lot and you can easily get parts for them. I upgraded the drags, the spool bearings, added updated clutch frames, and faster 6:1 gears to them. I keep lusting after newer reels - and buying them too - but the old reels just refuse to die.

Whatever the manufacturer, there are certain reel models that become classics because they work well and develop a reputation for trouble-free durability. Curado CU200's, Calcuttas, early Abu Pro Max, etc. If you're a guy who changes his reels out every 2 years, that doesn't much matter. But I get a kick out of a tough as nails reel that lasts and does exactly what it's designed to do for years and years.

Traveler2586 reply :

On 6/14/2013 at 12:01 AM, jpb2187 said:

........................

For the price they are not gonna break the bank and you get a pretty solid reel. You can get 2-3 of them for the price of 1 really nice reel. Or, if your replace one reel every 3-5 years that will still be 9-15 years before you break even with a high end model. If your performing regular maintenance/repairs to them I'm sure you can get them to last forever.

That's the secret with reels; if you faithfully do the maintenance (I do it bi-annually) and as long as you can get parts, they can last a very long time.

This morning I just cleaned and lubed two AG Ultra Mag reels; it only took less than an hour and my inspection found all components were in good shape. These reel are somewhere around 28 years old and still going strong just because AG supports them with parts and I do the maintenance.

I have to believe that any reel that is well supported by the manufacture can last as long if you faithfully clean and lube them, and replace a worn part when needed.

McAlpine reply :

On 6/14/2013 at 1:35 AM, Traveler2586 said:

That's the secret with reels; if you faithfully do the maintenance (I do it bi-annually) and as long as you can get parts, they can last a very long time.

This morning I just cleaned and lubed two AG Ultra Mag reels; it only took less than an hour and my inspection found all components were in good shape. These reel are somewhere around 28 years old and still going strong just because AG supports them with parts and I do the maintenance.

I have to believe that any reel that is well supported by the manufacture can last as long if you faithfully clean and lube them, and replace a worn part when needed.

Dont know that I agree with the above wholly. They don't make reels like they used to. In the case of the silver/black max while I still whole-heartedly would suggest these reels as an inexpensive but solid performer for someone who only fishes intermittently, for someone who is out once a week they will wear out after a couple seasons. By wear out I mean there are just many plastic parts that will break or wear beyond repair and this includes the frame and the areas that support the spool and other high revolution speed parts.

Traveler2586 reply :

On 6/14/2013 at 1:46 AM, McAlpine said:
Don't know that I agree with the above wholly. They don't make reels like they used to. In the case of the silver/black max while I still whole-heartedly would suggest these reels as an inexpensive but solid performer for someone who only fishes intermittently, for someone who is out once a week they will wear out after a couple seasons. By wear out I mean there are just many plastic parts that will break or wear beyond repair and this includes the frame and the areas that support the spool and other high revolution speed parts.

I would have to agree with you on this point, the composite materials use today just don't strike me as something that will last. It's a shame really, everyone is making things cheaper for the sake of profit margins and the consumer is stuck with a disposable product. A plastic shell is one thing, but the frame and foot should be metal.

I just came back from WM where I was looking at a Pro Max and a Silver Max. I was disappointed, they look like they're all plastic. I couldn't really see or handle the reels that well because the were locked onto the display hooks; I'll need to go somewhere where I can really hold the reel and put it on a rod. The search continues.

harmon reply :

I personally like the REVO GEN 2 reels the best. My GEN 3 is nice but it does not feel as strong as my GEN 2. I'm going to buy a few more GEN 2 STX on EBAY, while they are still out there, plus they are selling cheap.

Traveler2586 reply :

Question: do any of the reels today release the level wind line guide when casting? I don't understand why they would drop that feature.

livetofish28 reply :

On 6/15/2013 at 3:39 AM, Traveler2586 said:
Question: do any of the reels today release the level wind line guide when casting? I don't understand why they would drop that feature.

I to wonder that I have an Abu ultra mag XL plus that does it and I like it a lot. It allows it to cast so much smoother in my opinion and then you don't have the line loop over the other like in the modern day baitcasters it's a good feature

Traveler2586 reply :

In doing some research I find AG no longer supports the Cardinal 753 or 754 Fast Cast reels. It may be time to retire some old friends. I really like the Fast Cast feature.

0119 reply :

The new Max series and the Orra's are low end. You most likely will never see the lifespan from them that you have seen from the UltraMag's. If all you need is a drag renewal I suggest you simply replace the UltraMags disks with Smooth Drag brand Carbontex and continue servicing them as you always have. I've bought the Revo Premier, SX, STX, and S in the past and they do not hold a candle to old Swedish made Abu. I've gone back to my old Abu's. Between ebay, Dad's, Mike's and Abu you are not likely to run out of UltraMag parts any time soon.

Zoff reply :

I own several Abu reels... big fan from way back. I got my first in about 1983... XLT Plus. It finally gave up a few months ago. Now I have a C3, a Silver Max, Black Max, Gen 3 Revo S (2 of 'em), and a Gen 2 SXT. Also own several of the Cardinal Spinning reels. Zero problems and I cast well with any of them. I also own nearly all ABU rods in either Vendetta or Veritas.

MCS reply :

I own 2 Cardinal 563 with the Conolon rod combos from when I was a kid. They still run like new, even took one out to fish some jetties a couple times. They were great.

Traveler2586 reply :

Looking on ebay for 753 & 754FC, and ultra Mags and the future looks bright

Traveler2586 reply :

What do you use as a cleaning solvent for your reels?

Traveler2586 reply :

Well UPS just dropped off my Fathers Day gift from my son & Daughter, It's an Abu Garcia Pro Max PMAX2-L. Within minutes I had it spooled up with some 60 lb braid and on a rod.... Am I excited? H yes, I can't wait to try it out but can't get on the water today, so I put on a practice lure and I'm heading out to the back yard.

The first thing I noticed while setting up the reel is the line cross-over problem because of the stationary spool line guide. With the rod tip at 10 or 11 o'clock while adjusting the mechanical break the lure fall is uneven and will stop if the cross-over is at too much of an angle. The level-wind release function did away with that problem 30 years ago, why did they drop that feature? Probably so they can charge more when they reintroduce the feature as a new design to the younger generation.

Loop_Dad reply :

The last several reels I purchased had been all Shimano's.

I won a Sliver Max this year. The reel is nice and smooth and casts well. I purchased a couple of Citia G's last year. I found the Silver Max is smoother than Citica G. The price is less than a half of Citica, the reel is a good deal. I'll see how long it will last.

21farms reply :

traveler, back in the day, i had an ultra mag XL and the ultra mag II. they had been relegated to catfishing duties.i accidentally left them behind on the marina one night years ago and didn't discover they were missing until a couple of weeks later. believe me, i was NOT upset about it! modern low-pro reels, even cheap ones, are IMHO so far superior.

0119 reply :

Aren't we lucky to have so much to choose from? I find nothing superior at all about any modern low-pro. Especially when targeting something more robust than the anemic bass. Guess I'm lucky the old ones hold up so well.

SirSnookalot reply :

I get confused with too much choice.......even in the cereal aisle at the market lol.

I grew up learning and using round B/C when I lived in Michigan, once I got turned on to spinning it's always been my choice. Never owning a low profile b/c I can't comment on quality, but have little desire to use one especially if on a rod with no foregrip. I've read numerous posts about braid digging in and the conventional wisdom is using heavier braided lines and stout rods, another major turn off for me. I mainly open water fish, I prefer to bass fish that way too, I do believe there is a spinning set up to match whatever I'm going to do with more bang for my buck. Not wanting to sway anyone away from using them but I haven't discovered why I would need one, even fishing Florida slop for bass and snakeheads, open water is not always available.

chazzbobuck reply :

I have a Orra S30 that is my third backup. I got it for xmas a few years ago. Anyways the bail arm broke on the spring side and i ordered a new one. upon looking at the schematics on Abu website I realized I was missing a few other parts. Before I order them does anyone own this reel? If so could you send me a picture of the parts numbered 22,23,24 and 37 of the schemtic below? The sketches are crewd and the places that have these parts with pictures are rather confusing. I would really appreciate it. I think some of these parts dropped on the garage floor when I disassembled because I found some the next day but not sure if they go to that reel or not.

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Abu Garcia Owners (Ago) 2024

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