Does anybody else have problems getting much distance out of this reel? I now realize the rod I've got mine on isn't the best for distance (7'6" Ugly Stik Lite...super fast tip, not good for distance), but come on! This reel doesn't even begin to compare to the Royal Express III as far as distance goes! Is there some special tuning you guys do to 'em to get better distance, or is it just one of those things ya gotta live with?

I have one on my 7' uglycat ugly stick rod and with a 1oz weight i can cast it for a long distance. At least 4 driveways down the street. HEHEHE!

The reel probably has some grease in the bearings or something like that. Possibly a bearing might be siezed up with oxidation. I had a 5500 and one of the bearings was rusted badly. I cleaned the reel and replaced the bearings, good as new.I can get about 100 yards out of my 6500c3 with my 12 foot rod and a 6oz weight. I would suggest removing the bearings and soaking them in acetone. Let them dry out and oil them with red or yellow rocket fuel. Clean the worm gear also. That reel will start singing.

yeah...but how far apart are the driveways? In my neighborhood back home, 4 driveways means ya threw it clear to the next block (maybe ALOT further if yer on the wrong side of the house since we live on the corner). In some neighborhoods, 4 driveways ain't but about 30 yds. I'm thinkin' about buyin' a 7'6" flipping stick like my REIII is on (be a diff. brand, they don't make Quantum Lite's anymore) and puttin' it on there.

The key to making any ABU reel cast is to make sure you have plenty of line on the reel. If the reel has plenty of line(1/8 inch from the top of spool) you should not have any problem throwing. I use mine with 1/2 oz. to 1-1/2 oz. weights and have no problems. Ken

I've heard about the rocket fuel thing...'cept I heard ya prep the bearings by putting them in hot lighter fluid. As far as enough line goes...I usually fill my reels up to about 3/32 or so from the top of the spool, and if they drop down very far @ all, they get respooled...basically if it's a noticeable loss of line. They stay plenty full.

Where can I get this Rocket Fuel stuff? Also, how in the heck do ya get the case that houses the gears and bearings open? I can get it off the frame, but can't access the gears to grease, clean, etc.

I got my rocket fuel from Cabelas online. The bearings are in the ends of the spool in newer c3's. There is a wire spring clamp holding the frame for the break blocks on the spool. Remove it and you should be able to get to that bearing. the other side is similar. You don't really have to access the internal gears for casting purposes, except for the worm gear and pawl.

remove on of the centrifical weights and if you want max distance remove the level wind.

I figured out how to make them go real far,YOU LET A CATFISH REMOVE IT FROM YOUR BOAT. Mine is in 35' of water at Eagle Mountain Dam. Last I saw it, it was going about 90 mph over the side of the boat. Oh well, that makes 4 that lake has.
Larry.

I just bought a 6500 from BPS with a Bionic Blade graphite IM8 6'6" rod. Pretty decent combo. I am still geting used to it but I can get at least 60 75 yds with a 2 oz PP slab.
ok yes I will admit it I nested it the second time I casted it. It took ten minutes to get the rats nest out. I did have great casts the rest of the day!
Mark

Well sorry I just looked and it was a 6500C4 if that makes a difference! I dunno.
Still happy with it!

All my big cat rods I use 6500C4 and 6500C3 reels. I can cast these a country mile with no problem with shad on them. Basically you need to keep the reels greased and cleaned. I clean mine about 3 times a year. The only adjustment you need to make with either of these reels is control the brake. Set it to when you push the release button that your weight hits the ground and you spool does not back lash. I set mine a little looser. In my opinion there is no better baitcasting reel out there for catfish. I promise you they cast a long way. Mine are on 7'6 castaway MH rods.

I got a 6500C4 that'll sling 4 oz's 120 yards on a 10' surf rod, 150 will come with more practice. Thanks to the DIY mag job I don't have to worry about backlashes. It's nice to be able to really heave a baitcaster and not worry about spool overrun.

Phillip, what did you do to the magnets? When I'm casting 3/4 oz or more, I usually tighten the spool so it dont release line till I sling it. This eliminates overun but probably shortens the cast. Curious about how you "tweeked" your magnets.