ABU reels Archives - Bass Fishing Archives

High-Speed Reel Evolution

Posted by Terry Battisti | Dec 15, 2021 | Tackle History |

Due to the demand for a higher gear ratio, in 1973 ABU came out with their new high-speed reel, the 5500C. This reel boasted all the great attributes of their earlier reels with the added 5.0:1 gear ratio.

Ray Scott’s Out House Part Two

Posted by Terry Battisti | Nov 9, 2021 | B.A.S.S., Tackle History |

But what this page does offer is a good look at the Okie-Aerator, developed by none other than the first B.A.S.S. Life Member, Don Butler. When Ray went to catch-and-release in the 1974 timeframe, aerated livewells became a must and Butler’s aeration system was the solution.