Abu 5600 C4Hsc

[slinkymalinky]

It's no secret that I love Abu reels. Here's another little project of mine that just makes me realise why I do.

I have a new 5600 C4 HSC. Sweet reel. I wanted a spare spool and after a bit of a look around I realised that there's a wiffle-spool version. A quick call to Pure Fishing's service department confirmed that it would be a straightforward swap. Now that's an option I could get to like... the orignal spool loaded with 30lb braid for Monduran and a Wiffle Spool loaded with l5lb as a Bass / Yellowbelly / light Cod outfit (note to Hodgey - here's another fishing trip to plan).

This sort of modification is only possible because:

Abu engineers have maintained an approach that sees many parts being interchangeable between models. They restrict unnecessary differences (like having only a couple of different bearing sizes for most of their range... unlike some other companies that seem to delight in making me buy a multitude of bearings combinations for different models)

and

dealing with Pure Fishing's service department is a delight... I've sourced lots of parts, advice and information from them and it all arrives fast and with no hassle at all. Every e-mail I've ever sent them has been answered within 24 hours. (Other reel companies who used to get a lot more of my tackle dollars could take a lesson here)

So here it is, the 5600 C4HSC...

And courtesy of the PF service department's quick shipping of my order...

The conversion couldn't be simpler. Back out the side place screws and remove the right side plate assembly.

Slide the spool shaft (ref# 802630) out of the spool.

You might be surprised that without line... the wiffle spool assembly (ref# 1105113) is actually 2g heavier than the standard spool assembly (ref# 1119135). That's because even with the weight reducing drilled spool, there is more metal in the wiffle spool to create the 'shallow' spool profile. Things will change when they're filled with line...

Now, both spools share the same dimensions, the same bearings (a pair of 4 x 10 x 4mm), and the same profiling for the mechanical casting brake assembly

BUT

The mechanical brake assemblies themselves are different. The C4HSC has a 6-pin brake assembly while the wiffle spool comes with a 2-pin brake assembly

The 2-pin brake won't fit the pinion gear in the C4HSC but thanks to the cleverly logical Swedish people at Abu, it's an easy fix. Just swap the brake assemblies over. The 6-pin pops off easily using a small screwdriver (put a cloth on the spool rim to protect it)

The 2-pin is secured by a c-clip that is easily removed (but careful it doesn't spring off into your carpet, never to be seen again!)

The 6-pin brake then pops straight into the wiffle-spool

Done.

So "why do all that" I hear you ask. With full line loads, the wiffle spool is about 5g lighter than the standard spool... doesn't sound like much until you realise that it represents close to a 15% weight reduction. That means less spool inertia so it will handle lighter lures and will cast further. So now, once the spare 6-pin brake assembly that I just ordered arrives in the next day or 2, I effectively have 2 different reels in one.

LOVE it

Slinky