I'm Right On The Fence And I Need Some Advice 2025
Bankbeater reply :
I have an Abu 5600 C4. One of the blue ones. The pawl has gone out in the thing and it is piling line up on one side of the spool. Nothing else is wrong with it and it is a tank. It can handle anything in the lake.
Here is the problem. I bought this reel used about 10 years ago. The reel was probably already 10 years old when I bought it. Should I fix the level wind on a 20 year old reel, or put it on the shelf with the other reels I have used over the years?
WPCfishing reply :
Shelf it
webertime reply :
It's a $2 part. Get one and repair, at least then it's usable if you need a reel.
Molay1292 reply :
On 11/1/2015 at 3:46 AM, WPCfishing said:Shelf it
Why would you shelf it, can you share on your thoughts a little.
gulfcaptain reply :
If it's a simple fix and you can find the part, fix it, especially if you enjoy fishing with it. If you are looking to upgrade it with something else, then do that, but fix it and shelf it for another time when you may want to use it for something.
Basswhippa reply :
Cheap and easy fix. Those are one of the few parts that wear regularly on that reel. Otherwise mostly bullet proof and will last many years, sometimes decades or even generations.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
That's a perfectly fish able reel. The best step is to replace the pawl and worm gear as a set. Sounds as if a deep cleaning may be beneficial as well. I'll take care of both if you'd like. If you send it provide your screen name for a 10% discount.
gulfcaptain reply :
On 11/1/2015 at 5:15 AM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:That's a perfectly fish able reel. The best step is to replace the pawl and worm gear as a set. Sounds as if a deep cleaning may be beneficial as well. I'll take care of both if you'd like. If you send it provide your screen name for a 10% discount.
There you go, problem solved.
WPCfishing reply :
On 11/1/2015 at 5:03 AM, Molay1292 said:Why would you shelf it, can you share on your thoughts a little.
For a $100.00 he can buy a new reel that's light years better. For $200.00 it will weigh less than half of that old winder.
GetJigginWithIt reply :
My personal thought is fix it. But I get attached to my stuff.
Molay1292 reply :
On 11/1/2015 at 7:27 AM, WPCfishing said:For a $100.00 he can buy a new reel that's light years better. For $200.00 it will weigh less than half of that old winder
I hear what you're saying, what do you think makes today's 100 dollar reels, light years better?
Snakehead Whisperer reply :
I'd fix it, if it were me. Those old C4's are workhorses. I understand the idea that they're a little heavier than contemporary reels, but on a well balanced outfit it's hardly noticeable. Great reels for fast/shallow cranking, like squarebills or wakebaits.
WPCfishing reply :
Design, materials, weight, bearings, brakes..On 11/1/2015 at 8:39 AM, Molay1292 said:I hear what you're saying, what do you think makes today's 100 dollar reels, light years better?
I started using bait casters in the early 80's.
Back then I owned Shimano Bantams and Bantam Mags.
They were the start of the current designs. Those
reels were $100-$130 at the time. You can buy a supreme
today for $80.00 on eBay that blows them away. Very few
backlashes, casting distance.
shaggydog reply :
fix it
WPCfishing reply :
On 11/1/2015 at 10:02 AM, shaggydog said:fix it
Fix it then shelf it. Buy a Calcutta.
shaggydog reply :
fix it then fish it
BobP reply :
I have reels from the 1970's which are good to go and also have sentimental value. Would a $200 Calcutta be better to use? Sure would. But if the reel is a pleasure to use and functions properly there's really no reason to go that route unless a new reel would have enhanced performance - and that would depend on what you use the old reel for.
*Hootie reply :
On 11/1/2015 at 7:27 AM, WPCfishing said:For a $100.00 he can buy a new reel that's light years better. For $200.00 it will weigh less than half of that old winder.
Bet it won't cost $200.00 to fix it. Bet it won't even cost $100.00. However, I may be a little prejudiced
here. I learned bass fishing with the old red Ambassadeur 5000 reels back in the 60's.
Hootie
RAMBLER reply :
On 11/1/2015 at 7:27 AM, WPCfishing said:For a $100.00 he can buy a new reel that's light years better. For $200.00 it will weigh less than half of that old winder.
For $30,000.00 I can buy a new car instead fixing the flat tire on my old one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
new2BC4bass reply :
On 11/1/2015 at 9:03 PM, RAMBLER said:For $30,000.00 I can buy a new car instead fixing the flat tire on my old one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yup. Rambler has the right attitude! 
Seriously, tho, if you like the reel, fix it and use it. I've got a TD-Z 105H that between its purchase price and getting it repaired, supertuned and a bearing upgrade has more money in it than I could possibly recuperate. Not a problem for me as I love the reel and it isn't going anywhere. Same thing for an old 5001C as it was my first baitcast reel. Sat for umpteen years as I didn't know how to cast it. Great casting reel now, but needs a longer handle.
WPCfishing reply :
On 11/1/2015 at 9:03 PM, RAMBLER said:For $30,000.00 I can buy a new car instead fixing the flat tire on my old one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For $30,000.00 you can buy a woman from a number of different countries too. Pick your poison!! 
Molay1292 reply :
On 11/1/2015 at 9:27 AM, WPCfishing said:Design, materials, weight, bearings, brakes..
I started using bait casters in the early 80's.
Back then I owned Shimano Bantams and Bantam Mags.
They were the start of the current designs. Those
reels were $100-$130 at the time. You can buy a supreme
today for $80.00 on eBay that blows them away. Very few
backlashes, casting distance.
I kind of understand your point but not fully. I don't think that I would use my old ABU's for the same purposes I would use my LP reels for. For an easy 10 - 15 dollar fix he ends up with a great reel for fishing spoonbill, blue cat, flathead, large striper and large hard fighting saltwater fish that most LP reels would struggle with.
I don't see a 5600 and Pflueger Supreme being used for the same purposes so maybe that is where our difference in opinion rest.
WPCfishing reply :
On 11/2/2015 at 3:25 AM, Molay1292 said:I kind of understand your point but not fully. I don't think that I would use my old ABU's for the same purposes I would use my LP reels for. For an easy 10 - 15 dollar fix he ends up with a great reel for fishing spoonbill, blue cat, flathead, large striper and large hard fighting saltwater fish that most LP reels would struggle with.
I don't see a 5600 and Pflueger Supreme being used for the same purposes so maybe that is where our difference in opinion rest.
You're absolutely right. When I realized this I recommended the Calcutta but they aren't cheap. Go ahead and fix it if you like the reel. It won't break the bank to do it.
Use it and enjoy.
Big Bait Fishing reply :
On 11/1/2015 at 10:06 AM, WPCfishing said:Fix it then shelf it. Buy a Calcutta.
i bet that calcutta weighs more than the Abu ........
WPCfishing reply :
On 11/2/2015 at 10:00 AM, pgersumky said:i bet that calcutta weighs more than the Abu ........
Maybe, it's a hell of a reel though.
Big C reply :
Hey, if it ain't broke don't fix it. Fix it, fish it, and don't break it again.
Fishes in trees reply :
Fix it AND buy a few more reels. You can't have too many rods or reels.
Bankbeater reply :
Thanks for all the feedback. I have ordered the parts and when they come in my C4 will be back out on the water again.
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