Home | Spinning

Spinning/Haspelrullen

Spinning is carried out with rods and underslung reels.

I intend to collect quite a few examples of this spinning style of ABU fishing reel and will eventually get around to photographing and documenting and learning more about the range.

ABU outsourced and produced their own products from the early 50's and covered a great range of sizes that would to target small fish like trout up to large sea fish like Salmon in Europe.

They ranged from the Record 222, 225, 500, 600, 700, 888, 999 , 1000, to the Cardinal 33 , to the innovative Cardinal 52/54/55/57 series, through to the Cardinal 66/77 and X series , to the Suveran and high speed models like the Cardinal 807i and the SORON ST 70 of 2009.

One of the most enduring and desirable light spinning reels ever made by ABU was the Cardinal 33 model which was significant enough to be re-released some 2 decades later due to demand. A finely crafted, delicate and expensive reel of the 70's era , became even slightly better with the re-release. A true enduring gem of a reel for finesse fishing. Read of its specific qualities by clicking the poster sides below.

My ABU collecting friend Woffe from Germany, has kindly shared these beautiful photos of rare ABU spinning reels, including cutaway demonstration 444 and some tournament casters.

Below is an early model Sportex 450 made in Germany for ABU
I would like to buy one of these Sportex 400, 450 or 500 models some day.

One of the prettiest ABU Spinning reels has to be the above Red and black ABU 333 in more detail here. ABU badge engineered identical ABU 333 made for Allen and Holm in special yellow and black. Thanks to Lars for his contribution here.

I have also recently learned about the Zebco Connection with ABU and now due to Clinton Beeler's interest and generosity, have quite an understanding and appreciation of these ABU badge engineered models sold in USA. This arrangement really spearheaded ABU into USA spinning reel market, following on the successful Ambassadeur models.

They were identical in every respect except for some reel colours, adhesive stickers, metal badges, packaging and a few names changes in the manuals.

Beautiful black and white studies from Zebco are to be found here:

Zebco6/7, Zebco 6X, Zebco 7X, 557, 555, 554, related Zebco/ABU 178 Fly reel

Cardinal reels, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, were for a long period the ultimate spinning reel in the ABU stable. Their rugged construction and worm gear drive ensured their long popularity. They were replaced in the 90's with what was to be called the Morrom Spinning reel (see prototype box which never reached market!) but eventually become known as the Suveran. I have heard mixed reports and would appreciate contributions as to its fishing performance and acceptance in the marketplace.
Presently I have about 40 different models.

Other specific models that are in this fine stable of reels are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

My first was a Cardinal Series Model 57. The only problem experienced was the "exploding" of a spool due largely to my storing it in a hot garden shed with a tightly loaded spool of monofilament, which expanded with consequent shattering. Thanks Uffe for replacement spool.

The complete manual for the Cardinal 54,55,57 reels is here. 1, 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9

Also, the Cardinal 55 was made as a Saleman's model also to show the inner working of the reel.

I have since collected many more (to date about 40) including a Record 700, pictured here as well as a Record 444 and an ABU 333, ABU Record 444, Cardinal 40, 60, 70 and a Cardinal 44, 77 from friends in Europe. I am told the basic helical /worn gear design is brilliant and never wears out providing normal care is taken with its servicing.

Alan Hawk draws a long bow and state uneqivocally in his review that the Suveran design by ABU in the early 90's was the peak of ABU design and in his mind the best spinning reel ever designed bar none. More recently, his later review of the Soron series has tried to reach these same lofty heights at at much reduced cost to the consumer. Clever engineering offshore in Asia. Look forward soon to his review of the Classic Cardinal 7 in the USA Zebco guise.

Manual pages from various Record ABU 1958 Spinning reels

are found below, courtesy of Jonas Eliasson of Sweden jonas.eliasson@osten.ac.se

Thanks in no particular order, Morgan, Peter, Uffe and Marco, Ben and Clinton.

One particular spinning reel that I have enjoyed adding to my collection is the ABU Cardinal 33 CDL

If you have any others listed below, that are unneeded or doubles in your collection and are available for a reasonable fee, I would be very pleased to hear from you.

Any Allen and Hohn spinning reel, an early Record 450, 500, Tournament casting ABU spinning reel, any tan Cardinal 3 or 3X, 7 or 7X or model Suverian 1000, 2000 or 3000 are all wanted.