I just bought a Zebco 888. I'm going to put it on an old Rino casting rod I have. This will be my back up / loaner rig.
I have an Abu 6500 on a flipping stick. Sometimes I get tired of pickiong out the back lashes....
Although I'm not a fan of zebco's. Like others on here, that's what I used when I first started fishing. I've caught many fish well over 20 or 30 pounds on 888's or 808's. They dont last long once you start catching big ones on them though. LOL. Nothing will tear up a plastic reel like a 40 pound carp!!
If you want to stop backlashing your abu, learn to adjust it correctly. The tension knob on the right side of the reel is the key. Here's how to eliminate backlashes.First, rig your pole with the weight, and bait your gonna be using. Next, pick the rod up holding the tip high in the air. Then tighten the tension knob so it will hold the bait, and rig without freespooling with the button pressed. Then, loosen the knob slowly until the rig and bait will drop freely, but stop when it hits the ground. You'll have to do this several times to make sure it's as loose as you can get it, but still stop the spool when it hits the ground. When you get the hang of doing this you'll be able to cast just about as hard as you can and completely remove your thumb from the spool and it will stop itself without backlashing. Remember every time you change the weight of your rig to reset it or you'll still have problems. In time you'll learn to loosen it up more and more and learn to thumb the spool better. I used to do this. Now I press the button and loosen the spool tension till I have notable side to side play in the spool. Then as I'm rocking the spool from side to side I tighten the tension cap just until all the side to side clearance is gone. I rarely ever backlash now. Unless I hit a tree branch, or hook my landing net or something on a cast. LOL, Hey it happens. I've launched my net, and my buddies lawn chair completely out of the boat. Those backlashes aren't pretty !!
