Abu Cardinal baitrunner

[Waynee45]

Hi all, did the Cardinal series come in a baitrunner version and were they any good? Does anyone have any photos if they did.
Regards
Wayne

[BeechmereLake]

Hi all, did the Cardinal series come in a baitrunner version and were they any good? Does anyone have any photos if they did.
Regards
Wayne

I found it a very poor effort of a reel, it dates from the exact year of the Shimmy runner which came out in 1987 and was nothing near as good, very plastic with an odd elongated shape to it, better known as the Abu 654GT below is a photo of one

[BoltonBullfinch]

I have a pair of ABU 656w baitrunners, i find them absolutely fine, although they dont seem very common or available like other baitrunners....

Thanks
BB

[Waynee45]

Hi all, did the Cardinal series come in a baitrunner version and were they any good? Does anyone have any photos if they did.
Regards
Wayne

I found it a very poor effort of a reel, it dates from the exact year of the Shimmy runner which came out in 1987 and was nothing near as good, very plastic with an odd elongated shape to it, better known as the Abu 654GT below is a photo of one

Thank you Beechmerelake for your response. They definitely don’t look as good as Shimano.

[Waynee45]

I have a pair of ABU 656w baitrunners, i find them absolutely fine, although they dont seem very common or available like other baitrunners....

Thanks
BB

Hi BoltonBullfinch, could you post a photo of your ABU656w baitrunner and thank you for your response.

[Olly]

It will be exactly as the 654 I imagine!

Certainly the 333/444 series are very alike. As are 33/44/66/77 series - only size matters here. Next the 52/54/55/57 - all similar except in size.

[Dave Burr]

I once bought a couple of 654's and they were awful with spindle wobble and a cheap feel. I think they must be one of the worst reels ever mad by ABU.

Just an opinion of course.

[BoltonBullfinch]

Here is the reel you asked to see.

20230303_183206_resize_57.jpg

Thanks
BB

[BoltonBullfinch]

Did ABU ever make a metal baitrunner?

Thanks
BB

[Olly]

A baitrunner effect can be achieved my loosening the clutch - then tighten before striking.

This is what I use with ABU 66 & 77 reels when fishing for fish that 'run' - carp - silure - pike and perhaps barbel and tench. It is not a necessity for many species of fish.