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.

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 .

Now I have had chance to use it it’s ok but not a patch on my similar priced diawa reels don’t think I will get another

Good reel

I've used abu in the past and can't fault their quality or build.. this was a new replacement for an old abu and I can't fault it! Winds in fast and casts with no issues whatsoever.

Its an Abu, whats not to like about it.......always top notch gear !!!

not used it yet but like all Abu stuff I have bought in the past the quality is good

For the price, very nice reel, pretty compact, smooth action and looks like it will last with a bit of looking after.