Abu Garcia Fixed Spool Reel - Cardinal 174 SWI

I am a complete newbie to fishing, I tried it last year with some friends gear under close supervision, casting off rocks into the sea, spinning for whatever would bite and I loved it. So I decided to buy some gear of my own. You read endless reviews of gear, especially regarding Reel's, and I personally became baffled by the number of products out there. I didn't want to spend a fortune, as I have as much chance of breaking, and loosing it as anything, and would be devastated if it had cost me hundreds of pounds. I took on a lot of advice from fishing shops too, and was worried that they would just try and rip me off as I was so unsure of what I needed. Nearly all of them showed me Abu Garcia reels and rods, and sang there praises and I have to say they were all very helpful. So I purchased my Abu Garcia Cardinal Reel 6 months ago now and I have to say it is great. (not purchased via amazon, but I found the reviews on here very helpful, which is why I am writing this). It is a great light, but strong reel, and very easy to use, it runs very smoothly and comes complete with a spare spool, so I have mine set up with two different strengths of line, as one place we go fishing is quite thick with kelp, and I was always snapping my line when I got caught up on it. The reel has dealt with everything I have thrown at it with ease, even though my lighter line didn't but as they say you live and learn, I have caught Pollack, mackerel and this weekend coalfish, my new favourite hobby is now sea/rock fishing. When I fist set up my reel it was a learning curve, more because I am such a novice. Once or twice I got myself into a big birds nest of a mess with my line, firstly because I had overloaded the spool, and second it was a heavy line and I had not spun it on under much tension, and the line had apparently 'kept a memory' and had gone onto my reel all twisted. Now that's all sorted It's fab. None of those problems were caused by the reel, just me, and it has stood up to my bumblings and errors with ease. It is very smooth to reel in, and casting is easy, I have used the brake just once, and now I have got my head around the drag it is working fantastically. A great reel at a great price, and perfect for me in every way, I would definitely recommend, especially if like me you are just setting out into the world of fishing.

In the tough and tested vein of Abu Cardinals of old. A simple, strong, no fuss but very capable reel. Smooth and even wind. Light and balanced on a Fox Prism spinning rod. Good purchase

First off this is not my first fixed spool reel, was a bit disappointed when the bail arm become disengaged as the E clip that was supposed to be keeping the bail arm attached wasn’t there. The over all build looks good, nice and smooth, good alloy spool with a graphite spare so you can fish two types of line, and I’m sure if I look will be able to get more spools. The E clip thing is a pain as need to fit a new one, it’s a simple enough job if you have one, again easy to pick up. But this is where you get what somebody else pays for, cheap labour, will not get you top drawer kit. If I was looking for top-drawer kit I would not have looked to buy this reel, so be realistic in what you expect. This reel is ok for the money even with the E clip bit problem.

I've had one of these for over ten years in 4000 size and I've used it for all types of fishing. Nowadays it's a back up reel but it's allways there and ready to go and has never let me down

To small no good to me

Great price and quality, light and sturdy and a fast retrieve. Having 2 spools one for braid and one for mono is very good.

What you would expect from Abu, although this is my first FS from Abu ,, I own many (too many) of their multipliers. I like the build quality , though spare reel is not aluminum , but plastic , I ordered the 177 SW1 but think it's a bit big for my 10' bass rod , I was unsure as to what actual size it was and if i was purely spinning I would go for 176 , bit smaller. But its good quality and value for money .

It has already caught fish.

Qualita assicurata dal marchio Abu Garcia, prodotto studiato per l'acqua di mare. Prezzo super. Ideale per lo spinning medio ma lo stesso piacevole da usare per le altre specialita

Faible encombrement. Puissant malgré tout. Pêche en mer en bateau. Parfait.

Super Ware in Top Qualität, vielen Dank!!!

I bought this for my son for his B-Day. He tells me that the reel is working well and has caught a few fish on it and has no problems. I saw other reviews of the reel and had gotten it from that. Make sure you know when buying these the Reel and the pole match.

Toll verarbeitet und sanfter Lauf. Echt toll, was man heute für so wenig Geld bekommen kann.