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best closed face reels

Craig Lea

Craig Lea

Senior Member & Supporter
after being slated by #lee williams for using 120m , im now in the market for a couple of new closed face reels . Any recommendations ?
Thank you
 
I really like closed face reels for trotting small rivers for silvers, I use an original Abu 507 or Ryobi CF1….both perform well
 
Craig Lea said:
thanks Alan , i’ve had abu’s years ago and found them fine . How do they cope with bigger fish ?
Click to expand...
IMO closed face reels and big fish are not compatible, I use them trotting for silvers and usually hook the odd rogue chub which they just about cope with but clutch on them are a bit jerky so back winding is best, and only putting 30/40 yards of line on minimised line bedding in with a big fish. Personally I wouldn’t use them when targeting big fish
 
Abu 506 .. I bought a 125m the other year and compared to my Abu it's cack !

It felt and sounded rubbish and like it was going to explode any second . This was a rebuilt 125m that was serviced and had all new parts ..

Great reels if your hemp fishing but they are not what I'd used for trotting for decent fish . The gearing is far to delicate ... IN MY OPINION
 
I don’t think you can go far wrong with any of the vintage Swedish abu’s
They are very reliable, very simple mechanically and shockingly spare parts have always been easy to come by.
Another one of my favorites is the 1044. This was not made in Sweden it was made in Japan but it is a great reel and was fractionally smoother than other models
Not alot mind as they all were Geary things.

Closed face reel performance is all about the owner in my opinion.

Correctly fitted spool chinnel,
correct spool depth for chosen line
Line needs to be not too thin and not too much of it.
then in use they work much better with the spool in the most lowest point to the bell housing for free line payout and it really does take a bit of time effort and getting to know the reel before it becomes something quite brilliant at trotting.

If I had to pick a favorite….. no question 501 every time. By a clear mile it’s the best of them as far as I’m concerned.
It’s the only one they ever made with what i would call a decent clutch system. Just set it and let go of the handle. It’s as easy as that. Miles better than back wind alone and miles better than those daft synchro clutches
 
Richard Isaacs said:
I don’t think you can go far wrong with any of the vintage Swedish abu’s
They are very reliable, very simple mechanically and shockingly spare parts have always been easy to come by.
Another one of my favorites is the 1044. This was not made in Sweden it was made in Japan but it is a great reel and was fractionally smoother than other models
Not alot mind as they all were Geary things.

Closed face reel performance is all about the owner in my opinion.

Correctly fitted spool chinnel,
correct spool depth for chosen line
Line needs to be not too thin and not too much of it.
then in use they work much better with the spool in the most lowest point to the bell housing for free line payout and it really does take a bit of time effort and getting to know the reel before it becomes something quite brilliant at trotting.

If I had to pick a favorite….. no question 501 every time. By a clear mile it’s the best of them as far as I’m concerned.
It’s the only one they ever made with what i would call a decent clutch system. Just set it and let go of the handle. It’s as easy as that. Miles better than back wind alone and miles better than those daft synchro clutches
Click to expand...
I have 3 Rich and completely stripped and regreased them all . I also removed the anti reverse mechanism and replaced any worn parts .
They were my Dads so I treat them with the very best respect. They just feel and perform in a more solid way than the 125m in my opinion ..
 
Daiwa 125M all day . . .primarily because you can hold them all day. Not ideal for big fish but they can cope if used with care. I'm sure there are other heavier more powerful Abu variants however I don't care . . .just had my pair stripped and serviced by Artisan Angling and they are tip top!
 
Chris Belcher said:
Daiwa 125M all day . . .primarily because you can hold them all day. Not ideal for big fish but they can cope if used with care. I'm sure there are other heavier more powerful Abu variants however I don't care . . .just had my pair stripped and serviced by Artisan Angling and they are tip top!
Click to expand...
I had mine from artisan and can't fault the quality of his refurbs etc .
I just prefer the solidness of an abu .., when I use them ...
 
Richard Isaacs said:
I don’t think you can go far wrong with any of the vintage Swedish abu’s
They are very reliable, very simple mechanically and shockingly spare parts have always been easy to come by.
Another one of my favorites is the 1044. This was not made in Sweden it was made in Japan but it is a great reel and was fractionally smoother than other models
Not alot mind as they all were Geary things.

Closed face reel performance is all about the owner in my opinion.

Correctly fitted spool chinnel,
correct spool depth for chosen line
Line needs to be not too thin and not too much of it.
then in use they work much better with the spool in the most lowest point to the bell housing for free line payout and it really does take a bit of time effort and getting to know the reel before it becomes something quite brilliant at trotting.

If I had to pick a favorite….. no question 501 every time. By a clear mile it’s the best of them as far as I’m concerned.
It’s the only one they ever made with what i would call a decent clutch system. Just set it and let go of the handle. It’s as easy as that. Miles better than back wind alone and miles better than those daft synchro clutches
Click to expand...
thank you Richard , i was looking at 1044 .
 
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