The constant casting and winding of the handle will quickly expose any weakness in design or construction. Salmon fishing is tough on gear reels especially so.

Perhaps one of the main reasons the Abu 6500 has stood the test of time is the availability of spare parts. These events are still remembered as some of the most significant in the history of the sportfishing tackle industry. The Swedish-built ABU 444, the company’s first spinning reel, was introduced in 1955 followed in 1965 by the first Cardinal reel. The generation of world famous Ambassadeur reels got their start at the 1954 New York World’s Fair. The first reel, named Record, was marketed in 1939. After World War II Abu redirected its efforts toward the development of precision fishing reels. It originally manufactured pocket watches, telephone timers and taximeters. The company was founded by Carl August Borgstrom in 1921. The 6500-C3 is the embodiment of precision Swedish engineering. The reel will also sound different and be less prone to tangles. After this treatment you will notice that casting is greatly improved. At least once a season, and preferably at the beginning of each season, the whole reel should be stripped, cleaned, lubricated, and reassembled. The precision quality solid brass gears should be kept lightly oiled. To get the best out of your Abu 6500-C3 always ensure that you fill the spool to within 2mm of the top or casting distance will be greatly reduced. If you were going to be fishing the surf you would want a bigger reel with greater line capacity. This being the ideal amount of line for a salmon reel used for river fishing where very long casting is not required. It holds 220 yards of 20lb monofilament fishing line.

This reel has three ball bearings and a gear ratio of 4.7:1. The model that everyone would recognise is the black Ultra Cast 6500C. The 6500 has undergone various upgrades over the years. I personally own four of this model and have caught many salmon on them.

It has been, and remains still, by far the biggest selling reel of its type in New Zealand. The Abu 6500-C3 Classic reel has for over two decades been the baitcaster of choice for many thousands of New Zealand salmon anglers.

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