ABU fan

ABUadmiral

New member
Hi Fellow fishing fanatics!

My first attempt to write disappeared into cyberspace between preview and posting.
Better luck this time.

I run the http://www.realsreels.com ABU fishing site.

I see a number of red dots on my Clustr Maps from Africa so hope to meet a few more here.

I am really searching for the history of how ABU was introduced into Africa and would love some help here if any one has scans of of old magazine advertizement s for ABU.

Hopefull some of you may have some knowledge to share with a world of ABU fans
Enjoy these ABU ads from around the world. Click on Australia, Europe Asia and USA to see beautiful images of old ABU.
Tight Lines

Wayne Real :imnew
 

kitefisher

Sealiner
Hi Wayne ,and Welcome to Sealine,the greatest angling site in the world.

Abu is a well-astablished brand in our country,and use to be distributed by a company called Eazy-gold,for a few decades.They have according to my knowledge recently lost the agency and will this country be served by someone else.

"Van the Fisherman" from this site, used to work them for yonks, and I am sure that nobody else will have more access to paraphernalia re Abu than him.I received an e-mail from a fellow angler recently that was sent to you and CC'd to my inbox,and am delighted to assist where I can.

The brand is not particularly popular here mainly due to the type of angling done from shore.There has been a revival here lately of their fixed spool reels,mainly due to dropshot-angling (soft-plastics,as you know it) . Japanese technology have all but taken over the industry.There are however,always the die-hard fans of whom I am sure you will hear shortly,via this site.

Your own site is a feast for the Abu-eye,and I must congratulate you on your efforts.

Stcik around and enjoy the ride.:welcomesea:
 

ABUadmiral

New member
HI Kitefisher
Thankyou for the kind reply and lovely words about my website. Do appreciate it. I keep plugging away Between 3 and 4 thousand hours into it now over last 5 years but drawing on 45 years of facination with ABU.
I have had mails from Brendan and Jaques in SA so it must be one of them.
I am thrilled to think we may get some progress on this task, and maybe some images of ads to display.
So how do I contact the Van man mate? Not real expert on Forums, prefer to be fishing. yesterday i drew a blank though!

Look forward to hearing from you when you have a chance mate.

I was told about Cyril Caro Agencies imported ABU into SA.

Hopefully some weblinks or knowledgable text and images will materialize from someone.

Nice to chat

Tight Lines
Wayne
 

kitefisher

Sealiner
My mail was from Jaques,.If we are speaking of the same Brendan,then he has a beautifull vintage Abu diplayed in a cabinet at Gremlins-tackle-shop.It apparently belonged to his grandfather and dates from the 1950-60's.

As for the fishing vs forums,trust me everyone on here would much rather be fishing,lol

I stand to be corrected,but in the latter-day,our stock came via Aus,so you will probably be interested in older models ?,and ads etc.
 

ABUadmiral

New member
Interested in anything to track ABU's domination into the fishing market in the early days.
Thanks for you interest.
Wayne
 

kitefisher

Sealiner
Wayne,I phoned "Van the Fisherman" at Eazygold and he should join in,in a day or two,or perhaps even  sooner.

Tight lines
 

BigBass

Sealiner
Hi, Guys!

I am the "culprit" (Jacques) who introduced ABUadmiral to SEALINE!

My first real reel was a red ABU Ambassadeur 5000 received as a Birthday gift when when I was still in primary school (in about 1970 if I remember correctly). Unfortunately, this reel went missing over the years, but helped me master the art of casting with a revolving spool reel. I went on to an Ambassadeur 10 000C in 1972 which I still have to this day (only change is a Carbontex drag upgrade and Cal's Reel and Drag Grease!) and which I still use for surf fishing! Since 1972 I added more Ambassadeurs and Cardinals, and two Morrums, most of which I still use today. My latest acquisition about a year ago was a Revo Inshore (thanks to SEALINER Bjorn @ Basil Mannings) ...
 
In the 1970's, I remember that Cyril Caro Agencies imported ABU into SA. Until recently, the agency was, as Kitefisher has said, with Eezee Gold (they also distribute Berkley and Fenwick in SA) ...

BTW, great site, ABUadmiral! And hope you enjoy SEALINE! :welcomesea:
 

ABUadmiral

New member
Hi Guys
I feel like family already. Thanks Jacques for intr0, anyone with specialized ABU knowledge is welcome to contribute to the website, making it better for all.
Check out my wishlist and who knows we may be able to do some horse trading.
I see The Van Man is going to offer some help with my SA penetration by ABU. Looking forward to it.
We have Tim Parratt, an ex-pat doing a brilliant job on service guides on the website you may all enjoy .
Look forward to learning from you.
Please enjoy www.realsreels.com

Tight Lines
Wayne
 

abloke

New member
G'day Wayne,

I've had a look at your site and you've got a nice collection for sure!

I've got the following in very good to mint condition:Abu 12 x3,8600 Striper x1,10000 CA x1,4600C3 x1.Also got a 10000C still in the box unused!..unsure of whether I'll use it but all of my bigger Abu reels were bought for surf fishing for smaller sharks (up to 6ft or so) and also boat fishing.I've found the 12s years to be great for surf sharking (within reason) and I've had no trouble casting a good distance.Fantastic reels,I've been buying parts for spares and servicing as I hope to pass them onto my young son for him to use one day.Good to have you on the site,great site this,plenty of info and help.

Darren
 

ABUadmiral

New member
Hi Darren
Thanks for kind words.
Been an ABU nut for a long time now and with just normal care these reel can be hnaded down the generations.
Obviously since they went offshore one must be careful in choices. I love the Morrums and new Sorons are good too.
Still used some older ones but Ulf Tingstrom in Sweden and Jay Parker in Australia build up some beaut custom reels.
Good idea to stock pile a few spares of some reels like 12 . It may last 2 or 3 generations fishing!
Tight lines
Wayne
 
As a result of the nature of and the raw deal that EezeeGold received from Pure Fishing I do not wish to participate in any conversation about their products that may afford them and Real Repairs publicity and awareness of their products, products which I incidentally hold in very high esteem and regard, and worked with for so long, to get them against all odds to where and what they are in South Africa today.



If I were to comment about the history of Abu and their later related products (Pure Fishing)and how it has been developed, grown and supported in South Africa, it will unfortunately end up with my disgusted opinion of these jokers and their shininigans. I will be criticised and the post/s probably only deleted anyway.



Please understand that under the circumstances I don’t wish to afford these people any further publicity, or the time of day.



PS: Anybody seeking advice and assistance with servicing and repairs to their Abu reels are free to contact me now and anytime in the future.
 

BigBass

Sealiner
I think it is important to note that http://www.realsreels.com is totally separate and independent from Pure Fishing ... Whatever the alleged actions of certain agents and distributors, ABU in my opinion remains a quality product and a serious contender worthy of consideration (so, too, Berkley and Fenwick)!

Other reels I have used, own and like are a Shimano (Castaic) and an Okuma (Epixor), but the majority are ABUs - they just keep going and continue to serve me well and I have no real reason to change. A lot of guys keep telling me I don't know what I am missing out on with the new Shimanos and Daiwas ...

Pity ABU no longer seems to produce their printed annual catalogues ... I used to love going through them whenever I could get my hands on one - lots of info and inspiration!

ABU rods are also not bad at all ... I still have an Atlantic 474, another "Code 3" Atlantic (the exact model number escapes me now) and a Diplomat 751, all refurbished. BTW, the Kob in my avatar was taken (many years ago) on the Atlantic 474 and an Ambassadeur 8 000C ...
 

ABUadmiral

New member
Hi Van the fisherman
Sorry to read your post. You obviously have had some bones to grind with FP. I really would like to reassure you my site is independant and a thorough reading will make it obvious I am beholding to no one . I am a through and through fan of ABU for nearly 45 years, loving the values they held, centainly when the company was a private 3 generation pride filled ethical organization. I believe they were leaders in technology, staff development and educating their customers. I would love to chat via PM if you wish mate, with the purpose of learning and documenting , omitting emotive opinion. After all, this is only for the interst of ABU fans around the world. Certainly in Australia the ABU brand had a number of importers/distributers and I guess they changed hands because of possible dis-satifaction for either party. Never the less , it woudl be nice to see scans of some old ads uesd to market ABU.
Look forward to some private or good natured public ones mate.
Tight lines
Wayne Real
 

kitefisher

Sealiner
Understable VAN

@bIG bass ,I am holding on to my last copy,(year 2000) for dear life.
 

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ABUadmiral

New member
Hi Big Bass
Thank you for the kind words above mate.
Indeed, I merely try to share the good experiences we all valued using our ABU products. What's more hundreds of people all around the world, participate sharing info for the good of all.
In one of the balanced broadsides I gave PF, it was excatly this , having their bean counters in USA forget the important educational nature of Tight Lines to us English speakers.

Despite my independence, I get some giveaways from the factory in Sweden, so if any one want's a high quality black L or XL Miss ABU Tee shirt for free , merely be the first request on the 1st of each month. Of course I would appreciate postage.

I still get my copies from Sweden (2010 coming in Feb) despite having little Swedish, I can read pictures and numerics OK.

Check out my spares /doubles of the catalogs in many languages and we may be able to do some horse trading. I own 1952 to current in Swedish and only missing 56, 57, 58, 60, 63 in English Tight Lines. Look under Wish list ..

TL
Wayne
 
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