Cardinal 54

Y

yoggy

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I`ve been reading a few features lately [including sept issue of CF!!],in which certain anglers are still using the above reel despite its age.With all the modern technology of modern reels i was very surprised by the amount of anglers who still use the Cardinal 54.I can only assume that this was and still is a good reel?.Not knowing anything about the "54" i was wondering if any members on FM still own and use one,and if so in their opinion what makes this a good reel?,Thanks,Yogs.
 
M

matt

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I'd love to have one again. Just the very distinctive sound of the clutch brings back great memories. I think they sell for about ?50.
 
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matt

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No not for a long while they used to be the cult real for specimen anglers after mitchel 300's. probably haven't been made since mid 80's or earlier. One of those things I never understood why they stopped making them maybe some of the old codgers on here can enlighten us Ron? Baz? Graham? :-]
There available second hand in AT occasionally and probably e-bay
 
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BAZ (Angel of the North) aka Fester

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I have one which was given to me a few months ago. I haven't used it yet. But if it is anywhere near as good as the 55 which is my favourite reel, I wont be disapointed.

The clutch does make a lovely sound when a fish teares off with the bait. And you don't need a bite alarm
I am always surprised at the amount of people (in the know) who stop and make comment on these old reels.
 
Graham Whatmore

Graham Whatmore

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Abu during the 60's and 70's were the name to have both in reels and rods, there were none better and then for some reason they lost the plot. Something is ringing a bell at the back of my mind that they ceased production and moved their manufacturing to another country and from that moment on they started to produce some right rubbish and all but disappeared from the scene.

They are making a bit of a comeback now but have lost their place in the market and it wasn't helped when they reintroduced the 507 Mk II in the mid 90's. It was lauded as the reel that every fisherman wants but turned out to be the one of the most useless reels ever produced. The cost, something like ?75 was soon reduced when fishermen realised how crap it was and word soon got round resulting in a BOGOF offer that finished up with buy anything and we will give you a 507 II free of charge.

This did little to enhance Abu's reputation but those that had the original Abu reels (all types) treasure them to this day and they still command a good price on the market. My son still has one of my fathers 501's and he wouldn't part with it for the world, I sold his 507 for about four times what he had paid for it and it was 30 years old then.
 
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Andy "the Dog" Nellist (SAA) (ACA)

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I bought a pair of Swedish made 54's brand new from a shop and (ab)used them for 15 years before moving onto shimano's.

They were great reels in their day but compared to modern reels the line lay was poor, they wobbled and were heavy.

On one thing they have never been beaten - they are a classic design that still looks the business even today.
 
Graham Whatmore

Graham Whatmore

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Thats right Andy, they looked the part and they were built to last, you only have to look at the original Abu's and they screamed quality at you didn't they? Still going strong a lot of them after 40 years in some cases.
 
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Ron 'The Hat' Clay (ACA-Life Member)

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When Abu Cardinal 54 reels came onto the market they were the state of the art make no mistake. Other than sound basic engineering, they had two innovative features: 1: A rear drag adjustment and 2: A drag that was smooth as silk compared with the Mitchells.

OK, compared with a top class Shimano of today they would tend to wobble a bit, and the line lay may not be perfect, but they were built to last. Longevity would eventually see their demise of course.
 
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Ron 'The Hat' Clay (ACA-Life Member)

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The Swedes in years gone by always had a reputation for building quality and longevity into their products. Take the Volvos of 40 years ago. I knew a man who had one of the early boxy shaped Volvos and did a million kilometres with it.

Those cars were built like brick shithouses make no mistake, as were Ambasseduer multiplying reels and Cardinal fixed spool reels.
 
Peter Jacobs

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In the 60's and 70' no self-respecting Carp angler would be seen on the banks with anything else than the Cardinal 54.

I have a couple of them somewhere and a 55 too. I seem to remember a 57 too, but might be wrong on that.

Lovely reels they were and in fact still are if you don't mind foresaking a bit of the latest technology.

Mental note: Must dig them out for my next lake session :)
 
Y

yoggy

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They sound if they were "THE" reel to have a few years ago.Personally i like to fish with the the best tackle i can afford,but i must admit of having a soft spot for some of the older gear.
From what i gather they still hold their price on the secondhand market,i might still be tempted to buy one though.Can someone please tell me whats the main difference between the "54" and "55"??
 
W

Wolfman Woody

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No, you're right Peter. They did a 53, 54, 55. 56, and a 57. Two were dropped pretty quickly, I think the 53 and 56. The rest were improved to give the FIRST completely silent anti-reverse, rather than the irritating click.

I had a 54 and they were saught after by the A4 team members for feeder fishing. I sold mine 18 months ago for ?82 plus postage. Not bad for a ?14 investment in 1982.
 
Peter Jacobs

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I used to use the 54's for Carp and the 55 for Feeder fishing.

After I moved to Norway in '90 then the 54 became my spinning/lure reel for Pike and Perch and then Zander.

A good investment indeed Jeff.
 
K

Kevin Perkins * * * * * * *

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Jeff

Like you, sold my 55 for ?75, not sure if I don't regret that now. Abu also launched a more affordable 154/155/157 range, not sure what the difference was.

Still got (and bloody well hanging on to!) my Swedish built, bought from new in the late 70's, Ambassadeur 5001 - still runs like a Swiss watch.
 
J

john ledger

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Yoggy
Are you on about Mick Woods from gods country. Micks a very good specialist angler and has been for years,he lives in Tadcaster or he did and if he rates the reel it will be good
 
Y

yoggy

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John,yes mate i noticed that Mick Wood was using one.He did state that he highly recommends them.I`ve seen other anglers using them both in magazines and on the bank,hence this thread!!.What amazes me is the price what Jef and Kevin sold their reels for!.For an old reel thats a hell of a price!.I must admit,i`m now intrigued to why such an old reel is still popular today.Its been mentioned that the line lay isn`t so good as modern reels but personally i still think i could be pushed into buying one.
Its nice to hear the views of more "mature" and experienced anglers that have used such angling tackle!.
 
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BAZ (Angel of the North) aka Fester

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Its nice to hear the views of more "mature" and experienced anglers that have used such angling tackle!.

Thank you Yoggy.
 
J

john ledger

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Now dont get the narks on you old bugger just because you have your new hairstyle
 
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