hey guys im looking into buy a couple of 6500 abu garcia and 8ft 2 piece rods to go with them, for casting, what do yall think about these rigs for bay/ flat / surf fishing??

I have the same abu reel on what i think is a one piece Castaway rod that I think is 7 ft. I don't get the point of 2 piece, I never take the ones I have down.

so u think a 7ft could be good for casting, and how do u like casting your abu?

Ummm if I had to do it over again I'd probably get a different model Abu. It's very stout, but the spool brake is annoying. It's either on or off, meaning that if you have it all the way tight you can't cast as far, but even the slightest loosening will cause the spool to be too loose on a cast making for backlash headaches from it spinning too fast.

Are you throwing lures or meat? Wading or off a boat?

That's way more rod/reel than I'd ever use...

Basic rigs on my scooter: 7' MH spinning rod w/2500 shimano loaded with 30 lb braid. Takes care of my jig/plastics.

6 1/2 MH casting rod for topwaters and spoons.

7 1/2 M casting rod w/15 mono for whatever else..

i have 2 abu 6500 c4 spooled with 30lb powerpro on 8'6 rod, and i have 2 abu 5500 c3 spooled 12lb test mono on 6'6 rod for throwing jigs.

thanks guys im baically using these for throwing piggies of the jettie and in the flats and such, what do you yall think i should use?

Aww [censored] I looked at my Abu and it's actually a 6600. They're almost the same though.

i like to use longer rods at the jetties due to banging the bait along the rocks as you are lifting them up, the longer rods give you more height.

I use an Abu Garcia 5600 C4 w/ 12 lb test on a 7 ft Castaway Light action for Plastics and Tops. I use an older Ambassadeur 6ooo w/ 17 lb test on a 7 ft Med/Heavy Ugly Stik for soaking bait or for live croakers. I also have another older 5500 C w/ 15 lb test on a 7 ft Med action Bass Pro IM8 rod for whatever else. they all have their purposes and I like the older Abu Garcia reels the best. They just hold up to the salt much better.

I really only fish the bays and flats so for jetty fising I have no idea, but in the bays I have two Loomis P844(Med Popping) with 201e7s, and two p8400 (MED-LIght Popping) with 201e7s. Like the p844s for soft plastics, topwaters, heavy spoons, and weighted live bait and liek the p8400 for free lined live bait like croakers and shrimp. I use 20lb power pro on my reels. LIke a couple before said, it is better to have a better reel that will last in saltwater. Hope that helps.

im the same as garfish, i only like to use the old abu garcia reels. they last very long time as long as you clean them and lube them after each trip.

abu garcia are sweet and awesome reel. Thats all your going to need.

Gotta make sure the Abu's that you're using have "Made in Sweden" stamped on the side plate where the reel handle is. These will hold up in salt, the ones that aren't stamped are made in China and are boo-boo.

I'm also a fan of old Abu's. My light saltwater tackle is all old (Swedish) 5500 C3's on 6'6" or 7' MH or H casting rods (various brands). The reels are all spooled with 20# Power Pro. These work great for artificials and light bait fishing. Gear like this will take care of most of your bay/flats fishing.

As mentioned above, if you are spending a lot of time on the jetties you might want slightly heavier reels and longer rods (mostly to hold your line off the rocks).

Cheers,
jkmccoy