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cardinal 55

Still got two but dont use them for barbel fishing anymore, sick of nearly losing rods:eek: Excellent clutch tho, never let me down over years of fishing, just missing a baitrunner;)
 
I have one in the garage together with my old Mitchell match, 300, etc....... would not dream of using them in the 21st Century, any more than I would use my MGB Roadster as my every day commute, today's good reels are far better in every way!
 
I am astonished that the reasonable, and for me very valid comments by Paul and Chris in regards to baitrunner facilities hasn't unleashed a storm of criticism from the purists, things like 'real men don't use them', 'proper anglers hold the rod, so no need for them'....and other such tosh :D The old miseries must be lightening up in their old age :p

Cheers, Dave.
 
David Gauntlett said:
The old miseries must be lightening up in their old age :p
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Maybe they are having their midday nap.
Maybe some have gone so far down the purist route that they've got centrepins, and have realised how difficult it is to moan about baitrunners when you are using the low-tech equivalent.
 
The clutches on both the 54's and 55's are excellent ,particularly on the pre Garcia models , Yes I have a baitrunner , and no I don't think that all modern reels have better clutches than the 54/55's , in some instances far from it . Can I go back to sleep now ?
 
Not until you have submitted an objection to the Topcliffe turbine scheme. :p ;)
 
Mike Hodgkiss said:
The clutches on both the 54's and 55's are excellent ,particularly on the pre Garcia models , Yes I have a baitrunner , and no I don't think that all modern reels have better clutches than the 54/55's , in some instances far from it . Can I go back to sleep now ?
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I agree which is why I said "today's good reels", bearing in mind that the Cardinals were about the best in their day, probably comparable to a £300 or more reel of today.
 
Ian Crook said:
I have one in the garage together with my old Mitchell match, 300, etc....... would not dream of using them in the 21st Century, any more than I would use my MGB Roadster as my every day commute, today's good reels are far better in every way!
Click to expand...

Trouble with me Ian is sometimes , indeed more often than not, I will use old school reels like Mitchell 300's and 410's simply because I like using them . I can be contrary though . Last weekend I was fishing [ read freezing nuts off ] at Redmire Pool . I was using a virtually brand new 4000 size Shimano baitrunner on a 1960's split cane Mk 1V carp rod , a combination of the baitrunner functionality, with the nostalgia [ and functionality ] of the cane rod . It worked for me , I even caught a carp !
 
Mike Hodgkiss said:
Trouble with me Ian is sometimes , indeed more often than not, I will use old school reels like Mitchell 300's and 410's simply because I like using them . I can be contrary though . Last weekend I was fishing [ read freezing nuts off ] at Redmire Pool . I was using a virtually brand new 4000 size Shimano baitrunner on a 1960's split cane Mk 1V carp rod , a combination of the baitrunner functionality, with the nostalgia [ and functionality ] of the cane rod . It worked for me , I even caught a carp !
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Sounds great Mike and well done, the thing is we just need to be happy doing what we are doing, it is supposed to be fun after all :D
 
I used too use a pair of 54's for my barbel fishing and the clutches where second too none.................... other than my thumb while using a pin.

I had several 55's but sold them on much too my regret now. As a reel they are excellent but the spools can let you down, i found this too my cost, but you can pick up replacements cheaply enough.

If you like them then use them at the end of the day its your fishing.
 
55's

Hi,
Still use my 155-clutch great-especially when you need to stop a fish quickly eg small river snag fishing. Enquired at Tackle Exchange Walton if he had any-he (tackle shop owner) said they refuse to buy them as the spools can collapse (the spools are made of graphite/plastic?) due the age. Has anyone had this happen? Also-where can you get replacement spools?

Cheers Dave
 
Used two 55's all last week in Spain,........... never owned a bait runner, never will. must be a rare thing, an angler that still pays attention. ;)
 
David Tainton said:
Hi,
Still use my 155-clutch great-especially when you need to stop a fish quickly eg small river snag fishing. Enquired at Tackle Exchange Walton if he had any-he (tackle shop owner) said they refuse to buy them as the spools can collapse (the spools are made of graphite/plastic?) due the age. Has anyone had this happen? Also-where can you get replacement spools?

Cheers Dave
Click to expand...

I had a spool explode on me on the Thames last season.
Luckily i've a few spares.
I've heard you can get stainless spools for them, try someone like tackle workshop, they done the last service on mine, reccomended. :)
 
Chris Jones said:
Maybe they are having their midday nap.
Maybe some have gone so far down the purist route that they've got centrepins, and have realised how difficult it is to moan about baitrunners when you are using the low-tech equivalent.
Click to expand...

That's because centrepins by nature of their superior design are baitrunners. ;)

Anyway, I never had an Abu Cardinal. More of a Mitchell man myself and I still use non baitrunners for quiver tipping. The secret is to stay awake :D
 
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