Abu Garcia "Catfish Special"

Can anyone tell me the difference between an Abu Garcia C3 6500 and the Abu Garcia Catfish Special? Other than the Catfish Special being orange? The guy working the counter at BassPro had no clue so we compared the boxes and EVERYTHING seems to be the same. The C3 is what I normally use and it is $119 regular price and the Catfish Special is like $139.

What gives?

The power handle maybe? But is that a $20 upgrade?

Power handle and color is about it I think. You can find them on amazon ever so often for about the price of the C3.

actually, I just check Amazon and found the 6500 for $92.02...heck of a deal right there.

I was on Amazon too and clicked on it.. When I did it was the smaller ones (4200 and 5500) that were cheaper and the 6500 was still $119.

Catfish Connection has c36500 for $99
I got a bunch of the bluecat customs from them for $125 each
I got some Tekota 500s from them for $150


They are usually a little cheaper there...

I�ve got a catfish special 6500. I�m not sure of what is different between them, but it�s very smooth. And the power handle is great. I�m a big fan.

Thank-you, just ordered one.

Beware of the ones made in China....they are always cheaper

https://www.catfishconnection.com/Store/Details/AG6500CP/REELS/ABRCFPR/ABU-GAR-6500CP-PURPL/

EVERY OPTION THAT THE FACTORY IN SWEDEN
CAN PUT ON A REEL FOR CATFISHERMEN.

6500 purple catfish pro. $145

Got it yesterday and it is made in Sweden. May need to get another one or two at this price.

You guys have talked me into ordering 2 of these for myself! They better be awesome because now I have 2 orange reels not matching my silver C6500's! lol.

You'll like them, no doubts.

Catfish connection has the international series with all different colors..blue, purple, orange, red, black, chrome. I never get a bite on the orange one(horn) but that red one(sooner) tears 'em up.

I will say this tho, the shimano tekato is superior to the abu

Sure, but it�s unnecessarily better. You can get an abu 6500 for half of what you can get a tekota for.

Shimano is in a class all by itself. If you pull a lot of planer boards or catch a bunch of big fish the abu ain�t even close. The manual clutch was a pain in the arse to get used to on the tekota but now it�s no problemo. The price difference between abu and Shimano is considerable but I guarantee you will have way fewer reel repairs with the Tekotas. I ran abus for many years and still do but im starting to replace mine with shimano. I gotta thank Salsa for opening my eyes to the Tekota cuz they be slick.

I must not catch big enough fish, or enough of them because my ABU's hold up just fine. I don't use planer boards, so that's out. Those shimano's may be the best thing since slice bread to catfishing, but I doubt I'll throw the cash down when I can get a 6500 under 100. The last time I had to repair one was when TurboFred was working on them.

I admit I�m a caveman when it comes to how I handle my equipment so I prolly break more stuff than most. The price is relative though considering how much we spend on fishing these days. dropping 3 grand for a helix isn�t really necessary but I sure love mine. Dropping 3 grand for ulterra isn�t necessary but it sure is nice to have one. Spending Boocoo bucks for boat isn�t necessary either but I sure love mine. Don�t really need my lifted Chevy either but it�s sure fun to drive. spending an extra $50 dollars a reel is a drop in the bucket at this point. As long as it�s not taking food off your kids plate or dipping into your retirement then I say go all out!!!

Salsa said the feet keep breaking off on the abu's but not with the tekota. I havent used my tekota yet. Is the brake different than on a abu ?

The tekota has a variable brake system which is a little different than magnetic. You can sling a big bait half a mile with that sucker. I don�t know all the technical mumbo jumbo but the tekota casts a lot smoother than the 6500. Not sure what the difference is between the brake systems but get one in your hands and send one long and you�ll immediately feel the difference.

How in the heck is he breaking reel feet off? 100# braid and locked down drag? The tekotas have a much beefier drag, but he must not be using the drag at all.

The reel feet are tack welded to the frame in 2 tiny spots on the Abu. The Tekota has 4 large rivets. I can�t speak for salsa but I�m betting he was breaking his at the weld.

Don�t forget corrosion. A poor weld can happen, though less likely with all the automation. If they�ve seen salt (used reels especially) that�ll accelerate the corrosion. Have to look at the busted welds to know what�s going on.

All I�m saying is, if reel seats breaking off were common, abus wouldn�t be so popular. And it would be awfully hard to break the welds. It would require super heavy line, not using the drag, and massive fish.

Whatch YouTube videos of a guides customer reeling a Big Fish (even a 10 lbr sometimes) - they aren�t very smooth. They don�t raise rod n reel down on the fish, don�t keep rod tip up or plant the butt of rod in their hip or belly. They hold the rod wrong and try to reel and it�s �Clunky�, rods twitching one direction, reel tweaking opposite direction, jerky reeling action. When the fish makes a run they are trying to reel against the drag........
And he�s got people doing this to his rod n reels 6 days a week. I�m sure he�s had many break..........

That is a really good point I hadn't thought of. For the record, I didn't mean to imply that he was lying. Salsa has a good reputation. I meant he was doing something that was causing them to break, and this could certainly be it. I also recall him over the years being a big braided line guy, so its probably a combination of improper form from clients and heavy line.

Salsa uses mono. I�m not doggn abu fellas..I got 20 of em and like em a lot but they do break. I got 4 in a bucket that need to go to southwest for repairs from this years fishing. C3 6500 are the standard in catfishing and get the job done no doubt but the tekotas are just tougher built all the way around.

well said El Gato

Hey don't be doggn My Abus EG!!!...oh sorry nevermind..LOL!!

I definitely don't use mine often cause they are still running great..

You have to actually use them to wear them out Serj. Lol!
Only reels that get any use in your boat are crappie rods!

True,True!!!........Those eater cats put a hurtin on my crappie gear but so dang fun and sporty!!!!

Usually what bust an Abu off the reel seat is wrapping the line around the reel to pull it when it is hung up. Chris(Catman)Watson is the one who showed me the trick long ago and Salsa has gone and fished with him on Richland Chambers. I've broke a few over the years in such a manner but never broke one in normal use. I'm sure a Tekota which cost about twice what an Abu does is somewhat better, that along with Pure Fishing cutting corners in the manufacturing. At least that is my opinion of over 40 years of using Abu's. Poor folks have poor ways.