I bought this for my son, he's 4 and not quite ready to graduate to spinning reels for inshore flats fishing or bass fishing. Got this because it is "saltwater ready" not so much, we fish saltwater regularly and I am a freak about rinsing and caring for my equipment. This reel after a few trips has got serious corrosion all over the internals of the reel (it is still pretty on the outside.) It still works but not very smoothly. Also thought by reading these reviews that the reel would handle braid, again not so much, you can spool it with braid but it will not cast braid at all. Also the thing weighs a ton, I would not want to cast it all day that is for sure. So I have bit the the bullet and taught my boy how to use spinning gear. I was overall very disappointed with this reel, and do not recomend it at all. The only positive is that it has a really nice drag which is important, my son did land a 30 inch redfish and several other smaller red's with it.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Overall rating
5/ 5
All I buy is Abu Garcia
PostedAugust 16, 2011
Anonymous
from Weston, WI
Age:25-34
Favorite type of fishing:Freshwater
Number of times fishing per month:5+
Owns a boat:Yes
Experience:Intermediate
Gear Feel (Smoothness)
5/ 5
Ergonomics
5/ 5
Casting Performance
5/ 5
Ease of Maintenance
5/ 5
I am a little biased to Abu Garcia reels as I am the third generation in my family to only buy Abu Garcia. These reels are tough, long lasting and do the job very well. With a little maintenance these will last forever...and if they don't parts are very easy to get and replace.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Bubba
Pleasant Plains, Arkansas
Abumatic Classic 170i
Posted July 4, 2013
I ordered two of these. My wife and I tried them out the very next morning. They are nice casting and made tough. The drag is one of the best features. The thing she and I both dislike about the reel is the button. It is not centered (like most reels). It is off set to the left side, which makes the casting quite awkward. Therefore, she and I both give the reel a "3 Star".
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I HAVE HAD A FEW OF THE 170'S OVER THE YERS, AND UNTIL MY HOUSE WAS BROKEN INTO 12 YEARS AGO, I WULD STILL HAVE THEM, I WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED MY BROTHER WENT ON THIS WEB AND FOUND THEM, WE HAVE USED THESE SINCE THE 70'S IN SALT AND FRESH WATER,ITS A GREAT ALL AROUD PERFORMER
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I just came across my old 170i that i used for all my childhood (8 hours saltwater fishing each day, atleast. Year was 1989 to 1997. I did today (2012) a fast clean of the internal parts (1min) and it works PERFECTLY after all these years, it has been in an my old fishinghut without cleaning for over 10 years! its AMAZING. Quality is superb, ill never swtich from this one as long as im able to fish !
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Super smooth,strong,great drag reel is just top heavy.Needs to be lower to the rod.but wife likes it LOL !!!!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Bubba
Little Rock Arkansas
Very Pleased
Posted May 27, 2012
I always wanted one but just wouldnt get off my wallet.My wife saw me looking at one and asked why didnt i buy it? I told her I just really didnt want to spend that much money on a spincast reel.She surprised me with one 2 hours later.I wish I would have bought one sooner.I really enjoy it its very smooth.I usually crappie fish but i keep it in the boat and always handy it sits on a 6ft MH Quantum rod with a silver and blue 4inch Rebel minnow just in case the bass are breaking the warter and messing with my crappie. Every time I pick it up I think of her.I am a lucky man.
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Even though I started out with a True Temper bait casting reel, I was graduated up to the 170. I have caught everything from Bream, to Largemouth Bass to Spanish Mackeral, small Sand Sharks, small Grouper, Speckled Trout, Catfish, Sheepshead, and plenty of them using this reel. Even seeing this reel takes me back a zillion years of fishing with Dad when we only had one reel each, and both were 170s. The tackle box had 2 drawers and we caught more fish then than now with all the modern conveniences. I need to find these locally and start using them again. I still use my 5000cs.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Erik
Okatie SC
quite possibly one of the best reels ever made
Posted January 31, 2012
If this reel is anything like the original 170, it will last you many many years. Best suited for freshwater fishing. I landed hundreds of fish with the original 170 growing up as a child into my adult life. I have lost possession of that reel but plan of buying this updated version to replace it.
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