Abu 7000 Multiplier

It's exactly 50 years since the original ABU Ambassadeur reels were introduced. They first established themselves as the leader utilising "new thinking" and technology to develop a then, very new concept reel. Ambassadeur's were the catalyst, along with the famous ABU Zoom 484 beachcaster, that started the distance casting phase in UK beach fishing that led to huge catches of big cod from famous beaches like Dungeness in Kent and those in East Anglia.

Standing shoulder to shoulder along side the famous ABU 6500 series is the bigger 7000. If there had to be just one reel, then the 7000 can do it all. It has the performance and quality of machining to put 5 and 6oz leads and bait 120-yards out beyond the surf line, has tough gearing that can winch big fish back through heavy rocks, boulders and weed, but can also double up for rough ground conger fishing off deep water rock ledges, plus head offshore and makes both a superb uptide casting reel for boat cod, tope, rays and bass, but also is the perfect reel for working rubber eels on flying collar rigs for big wreck pollack and coalfish.

TECHNICAL INFO AT A GLANCE
Gear Ratio: 4.1:1
Spool Line capacity: 325yds of 17lb line
Weight: 17.6ozs
Star Drag: Multi Disc
Braking System: Centrifugal Fibre Blocks
Reel Cage: Chrome over Brass
Side-Plates: Alloy
Spool: Alloy

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
The red coloured Ambassadeur 7000 Classic is based around a chrome over brass reel cage for strength. The side-plates are anodized alloy, and the spool lightweight alloy but extremely strong. The spool spindles run through phosphor bronze bushes and the reel is totally smooth to cast.

The gears are precision brass and as tough as they come with a retrieve ratio of 4.1:1. The drag uses HT100 fibre type discs working between stainless steel washers. The drag is precise, has a long range of adjustment, and impossible to fault.

The reel features a stainless steel level-wind system that lays the retrieved line back on to the reel evenly. The handle is counter-balanced with a large and comfy grip designed to fit the thumb and two first fingers to give maximum grip when wet.

The star drag wheel situated directly behind the handle can be adjusted by the index finger without the thumb and second finger leaving the handle grip. A useful advantage when drag adjustment is needed when fighting fast long running fish.

The reel sports a large free spool "push down to engage" button on the right side-plate that is easy to use when the hands are wet, cold and covered in slippery bait juices. There is also a free spool ratchet alarm situated on the left side-plate that gives excellent audible noise to signal a running fish when the reel is deliberately left in free spool mode to encourage shy biting fish like conger to run with the bait.

The braking system is the tried and tested centrifugal force type using fibre brake blocks mounted on stainless spindles at the right side end of the spool. These are forced out by centrifugal force at the start of the cast to make contact and run around an exposed ring on the inner side-plate. There is also a turn button mounted on each side-plate that can be tightened to apply light pressure to the spool spindle to give added braking if necessary.

The reel also comes with a superb clamp that fits to the base of the reel cage and around the reel seat to give greater security when fighting big fish. These clamps are so good I rely just on the clamp itself to attach my 7000's to my beach and uptide rod butts eliminating the need for reel seats and even coaster type fittings.

LEFT-HAND VERSION
ABU also produce the 7000L which is a left hand version of the same reel with identical features.

SETTING THE REEL UP FOR CASTING
The 7000 series is easy to set up for peak casting performance. Until you get used to the reel, stick with the four medium sized brake blocks the reel is fitted with, but add some 30-grade motor oil to the bushes. This damps the speed of the spool down and makes casting easier.

More proficient casters will get away with just two medium blocks and flood the bushes with normal 20-50 motor oil. This is the combination that gives maximum distance with good braking performance using 5 to 6oz leads and big baits.

There is no need to tighten the spindle adjustment knobs on the side-plates. Ideally the spool should just move or "rock" slightly sideways inside the end caps. The brake blocks and oil give all the braking you'll need.

CONCLUSION
I've been using ABU reels since the early 1960's and have been fishing with the 7000 series reels since the middle 1970's. I once hooked a 140lb porbeagle shark using a 7000 when tope fishing, also a near 70lb yellowfin tuna on 18lb line while fishing in Mexico and both fish were landed. I doubt any other reel of this size could have coped with such powerful fish and the confidence I have in these reels gives me an edge when I know I'm in for a long and difficult fight.

If you need a reel to perform a multiple of tasks from beach casting, uptide fishing and offshore wrecking with artificial eels, then there is simply no better reel to own.