Abu 5500C Line Weight/Capacity

Question
I recently bought a 1977 Abu Ambassadeur 5500C reel.  Based on a previous answer I saw it sounds like you have a lot of experience with those.

I am wondering what the maximum line weight/capacity would be for this reel.  I was hoping to use 40-50 lb. braided line on it but after looking a little I'm not sure if the reel can really handle that.

What is your recommendation?  What strength and type of line is OK to use?  Would I start having casting trouble if I start using line that is too strong/thick?  

Answer
John, I have used the Abu Ambassadeur 5500C for many years.  I have also used several other brands. I still have my 5500C's but the others are in a drawer somewhere in the basement, unusable.  I use 15-17 # test monofilament and 30 and 50 pound braded line.  I have caught bass up to ALMOST ten pounds and pike to 40D" and Muskie to 37" on the mono and a number of bass on the 50lb braid and the reels have held up well.  

If that 1977 5500C is in good condition you have a real gem.  Some of the later ones are not quite as good at holding up.  I have one that is over 20 years old and it still works well.  Keep in mind that you fight a fish with the rod more than with the reel.  If you put 50lb test on a reel then use a pool cue for a rod and try to derick a fish in you may dammage the reel.  I do not think you will dammage the reel if you keep your rod bent at almost all times when putting a strain on the rod and reel

I am not sure about line capacity.  I never use full capacity of a new line anyway.  I put some old line to fill the reel about half full then put on enough new line to finish filling the reel to within about 1/8inch of the lip.  That lets a 300 yard spool of new line refil my reel three times or more.  In most fresh water fishing you need only about 75-100 yards of line.  Of course, if you use too thick a line it will make for bad handling but 50 lb braided line is usually only about the diameter of 15 lb mono.

I hope this is of some help to you.  I think you will enjoy using that 5500C.  Thanks for calling on me to answer your question.

Jack L. Gaither          (JackfromSeminole)
Lake Seminole, Georgia.