I used to use nothing but TLD 25"s and Penn 113. Now I just use my ABU 6500's and ugly sticks for the Kings. 15-20 lbs line and wire leaders. Yea, sure I have to change the drag sometimes but dang sure fun and I have yet to ruin a reel doing it. Lots of FUN!!!

Funny, I have been wanting to try my 6500's and uglies on kings. Basically my heavy Texoma striper set ups. Too heavy for striper really.

What is the largest king you have landed on your 6500s? Have you been spooled yet ?

What do you mean by change the drag? Order new clutch pieces from abu?

James

I have a handful of different rigs that are tons of fun with kingfish, but the Avet LX4.1:1 Reel is my favorite of the smaller reels.

It has handled tons of kings, ling, larger snapper, ect.

If you are wanting to keep the costs down, check ebay for an older Penn Squidder or Jigmaster. Both of those reels are cheap and very reliable. Things can get interesting with larger kings, but it will be perfectly matched with average size fish.

About 25# is the biggest so far. Haven't been spooled yet but could very well so at any time. If you use the 6500, just make dang sure to wash it well and keep it lubed with quality grease and reel oil. All I have had to do on the drag washers is take them out and treat them with Cal's drag grease. There are many places to get drag washers from. I like the carbon matrix sold on eBay.

Striper, hybrid and freshwater redfish is what I mainly fish for with the Abu's

Me too. Come to think of it I don't remember taking mine in saltwater yet.

Thanks for the info!

Most of my kingfish are caught near the jettys. We hook nearly as many jacks as kings. One advantage to heavier tackle is being able to crank down the drag once you know it's jack and end it quick. If I'm at the jetty at daylight, I've got about 1/2 hr before the offshore boats start shooting out in mass making trolling difficult and about 1 hr before all the other bay boater show up hoping to drift of kings.

I'll wave at ya as I pass next time.

LandPirate, I always make it a point to stay out of the way the bigguns headed out. Sure makes me jealous though. I'm probably at a different jetty. I fish POC.

Well if I ever get to POC and you happen to be there you'll have to jump on board with me and we'll see what we can scare up.