abu cardinal 357 spinner

[whiskerfrisker]

Hey guys, just got in my alphamar 16 and can't wait to test it! Delivery from dave was super quick! Now just waiting on my tiger rod to get here....anyways I have an older(late 80-early 90) model abu cardinal 357 spin cast reel in pretty good condition and I was wondering if anyone knew anything about them? Are they good for big cats? What rod should I match it with?

[mexicanthreat]

i used to have a few different cardinals. Not sure if any where the 357. but none of them where any good for big cats. They seemed to work alright for 3 to 4 pounders, but anything with weight would just destroy them. on the other hand they were easy to rebuild. lol.

[whiskerfrisker]

Thanks for the info!! Ill probably just keep it in the memories box then since its been in the family for so long and is still in pretty good shape.

[mexicanthreat]

Add a pic, i love old reels. Like finding older quality stuff at yard sales. i used to use alot of older lures and reels as decorations in homes. I would try to get a story with them and write em up to put with the pieces, always an attention grabber and most people could relate to it.

[whiskerfrisker]

We used this reel quite a bit off the coast of cuba in the early 90's, and the age can definately be seen but it has been a good reel to the family! 

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[mexicanthreat]

Attachment Deleted
I still have my Cardinal 554. It used to be a great reel, And has stood the test of time. I only hang on to it for the story I personally have with it. I loved this reel when i was 15. And it would probably be a great channel cat reel. However I never put it on a rod worth fishing with. I used it as a backup for my kids if theres is not available.
But when i was 15 it got taken by a fish right out from under me. A year later while walking back to the spot to fish, I passed a gentleman carrying it. Itold him how I had an identical one to it that I lost at that very spot a year earlier. At that point he revealed to me that he had just snagged it up off the bottom. He felt compelled to return it to me, so I offered him a trip out on the boat. On our trip which was the following day i had the reel cleened and in working order. Which i caught a 12 pound channel on. But he ended up landing a 32 pound flathead. Karma. Biggest fish he ever caught in his life. And was just there on a weekend trip him and wife take every year. Every year after that he came back to visit me, and always had a great time but never caught another fish close to that.

[mexicanthreat]

I still have my Cardinal 554. It used to be a great reel, And has stood the test of time. I only hang on to it for the story I personally have with it. I loved this reel when i was 15. And it would probably be a great channel cat reel. However I never put it on a rod worth fishing with. I used it as a backup for my kids if theres is not available.
But when i was 15 it got taken by a fish right out from under me. A year later while walking back to the spot to fish, I passed a gentleman carrying it. Itold him how I had an identical one to it that I lost at that very spot a year earlier. At that point he revealed to me that he had just snagged it up off the bottom. He felt compelled to return it to me, so I offered him a trip out on the boat. On our trip which was the following day i had the reel cleened and in working order. Which i caught a 12 pound channel on. But he ended up landing a 32 pound flathead. Karma. Biggest fish he ever caught in his life. And was just there on a weekend trip him and wife take every year. Every year after that he came back to visit me, and always had a great time but never caught another fish close to that.

[monsterkat]

That's a great story, I'm sure that guy was pleased giving ya the reel back in exchange for catching that Hawg ya put him on...I am also a Abu guy from my bait poles to flathead rigs, my favorite being my Abu 10000 big game, I only use baitcasters for flatheads and the Abu line from 6500 n up I think are badass.

[fishstick11]

I completely agree with ya monsterkat... Abu's the only thing I use anymore... Te only time I'm not using a baitcaster is for bait because bait fishing is no fun on my bass or catfish rods lol