What do these do in my Abu?

[Brett_Hoskin]

Dont try to throw the lure or bait too hard.. A well timed smooth cast will go almost as far as a gut cruncher.

[agnes_jack]

Never struck a circlip on an Abu with holes
Very small screwdriver, and lever off about where your bottom arrow is in the last diagram, and don't forget the bag

Regards, Tony

[NeilD]

Its amazing how far the bloody things go. I spent a lot of time grubbing around the floor before hearing about the bag trick. On a lot of reels there is an even smaller one on the main shaft. I've lost a few of those.
Get all of that grease of and clean the rim they run against. Try engine grade oil in your bearings and back the mechanical brake off as you get used to the reel.
Neil

[Jeremy87]

Have the mechanical brake set so that the lure just starts to fall when you engage the free spool. Never take your thumb off the spool and try to anticipate the lure hitting the surface of the water by stopping the spool just before it lands. try to do short controlled casts to start before going for violent power casts.

[tideline_two]

to much line on the spool will also cause a jerky type cast and resulting backlash. strip off about 50 yards of line and see it that helps.throwing into the wind can be a problem also. especialy if useing a lure that has a lot of wind resistance.

[Volvo]

Most important!! dont ferget ta hold yer mouth right when casting ..

[szopen]

Keeping one eye closed also helps.

[nick_B]

speaking from some experience I hope I can give some advice that you can use.

The weights are centrifugal casting weights and they prevent Backlashes.

The spool tension cap near the star drag should NOT be used for cast control.

Put a few drops of Gearbox or similar viscosity oil in the spool bearings and clean ALL Lubricant off the Centrifugal Casting weights.

If you need more info contact me via email/my websites reel tuning section/or Phone me at Jarvis Walker/Penn in QLD.

hope this helps.

[davo]

One thing to add about those circlips. Buy a few spare ones. I use a small screwdriver to push them off but the bag idea is a good one. Also be careful of any circlips as they can spring off and cause an eye injury

[ba229]

Just looked at your site nick_B and I must say I was impressed with some of the articles on it. Well done.

Even the basics of overhead maintenance is very informative.

[NeMo84]

yeh mate i used to have problems with backlash when i got my first baitcaster and all i can say is what someone i cant remember on here already said and thats "practice". Adjust the circular knob under the star drag which i believe is the magnetic brake until the projectile you wish to cast drops slowly and smoothly when free spool is engaged and keep your thumb on the spool during the cast and press down just before the projectile, whether lure, or hook and sinker hits the water...im no physicist but this is what i know from experience. Hope you get the hang of it soon cos when you do you'll really enjoy casting it, til then stay calm and try not to abuse the reel when it backlashes

[bidkev]

I've had my 2 abu 700's for going on 20 years. I've *never* replaced the "air brakes" and I think I've opened 'em about once a year since I got 'em to clean and oil. I've stuck to the original instructions regarding tension when letting weight/lure drop to the ground and can still chuck a 4oz lead over 200 metres without a backlash. I think I must've had half a dozen birdies in all the time I've had 'em. My philosophy......"if it's ticking over, don't lift the bonnet". I removed the level wind on one of 'em once which improved my cast by about 70 metres but also resulted in more birdies from not spreading the line as well as the levelwind would......I promptly put it back on.

Now the 5000 and 6000 are a different kettle of fish (for me). I just can't master 'em. I've tried 6,8,10,12 lb mono and both reels result in birdies *very* frequently. The only way I can seem to get 'em to work for me is with 15lb line (and who wants that on a small reel) and a minimum No 4 lead. Perhaps I give 'em too much stick with being raised on the 7000's but I'm seriously thinking of trading 'em in shortly.

cheers

kev