I purchased 2 Zebco/ABU Cardinal combos in 1971. They came with extra spool and a split cork spool filler. These were the finest spinning combos I ever used. The creator of this video is 100% spot on...these are very smooth reels....they almost retrieve themselves.
You've done the world a service, sir. I'm looking into getting me one of these. I'm a saltwater fisherman, and I'm trying to put together a vintage setup. Bought an old but new True Temper 1754.
Thanks !! Look on the eBay and everywhere else … the 3’s and 4’s … anywhere from $150 rebuilt to crazy prices for original … the only “rub” is that they are heavy and they really don’t work well with braid … they don’t wind well on the spool with braid.
@JSturr you're telling me. Seventy bucks sounds like a lot even for the 80s but if I ever come across one so reasonably priced I hope I can get to it first.
I've have a cardinal 4 that my dad gave me when I was in my teens, still fish with it caught plenty of bass, blue gill, crappie. I need a spool for it though.
awsome reels, i have been using mine since the 70s, i own 5 x 33 and 2 x 44 and never had a problem with them yet, and they get used alot. bullet proof
All with produced by the Abu company in Sweden. They had some attempts later at a Japan etc that didn't hold up but they were skirted school. I've sold Cardinal four's a brand new in the box 20 years ago for 250 bucks each but that was a person that purchased three of them from me.
These cardinal 3,4,6,6x,7,7x are bulletproof saltwater worm gear stainless and brass gears fishing reels that outlast any spinning reels ever made up until the '80s and we're still using them today and getting premium prices for them.. only drawback was the threes and fours had plastic spools that would pop the tops on them when the line was wrapped too tight on certain spools over the years. The 6th and 7 series had aluminum spools this did not happen. I have pulled one out of the Gulf of Mexico with barnacles and growth all over it and cleaned it up and oiled it and used it.
I have 3 Cardinal 6 and 3 Cardinal 7 in this series. There is no 5 that I’ve ever heard of. I absolutely love them once I learned how to work on them. Only the Swedish ones are worth having. Oddly the 3s and 4s are the most expensive by far. You are correct in sharing that these are incredible little machines. The 6 and 7 are supposed to be for saltwater use and the line capaxity is sufficient. I’m going to use mine surf fishing this summer and fall on the Outer Banks along with a lot of other vintage reels. They are all I use. I have a collection of over 250 vintage surf spinning reels manufactured before 1980. I basically dislike modern reels especially all those made by Pure Fishing. I cry over all the once great brands they now have that are pale shadows of what they once were. Thanks for your short video.
@@JSturr I absolutely agree with you but if they are not made in Sweden I wouldn’t want them. Can you imagine a Chinese Zebco Cardinal made like the Swedish reels? I just can’t believe that could happen.I simply don’t think it could be done adequately with Pure Fishing’s Zebco in China. If Abu made it in Sweden I’d buy one immediately!
beautiful 33 those are worth some nice money now! nice video your right not enough people know about them which is good for those of us to still love fishing with them !!
The black ones from Japan had an anti-reverse dog that would break when you hit or set the hook on a fish a lot of times The 33 and 44 models I think I'm not sure which country they were from but from a different country maybe Italy I don't know.
I am in the process of restoring a Cardinal 6. I found a good parts source but I’m not sold on how solid these reels actually are. The weakness I’ve found is in the bail release mechanism. The plastic slide bail lock (ivory colored) that pokes out and is spring loaded to catch the bail has a tab protruding out the bottom of the rotor that catches a post on the bearing retaining plate. This causes that slide to pull slightly into the rotor thus releasing the bail. If that protruding tab ais worn the least little bit the reel won’t function and for all intents and purposes useless. These reels are great when they are working but only a little wear and they will fail.
@@JSturr I wrote that post before I really knew what I was talking about. Now that I know how to do it the springs are no problem. I have about 30 springs I bought on Amazon that work perfectly. I’ve had much more difficulty with that plastic or nylon bail stop piece wearing out. I’ve had to replace two of them. Also at no time should you ever buy a used bail stop as you’ve got a 50/50 chance the one you bought won’t work. Still I love Zebco Cardinal reels. I have six now!
Thanks for the in fo.IFound a. 4. in 2nd. store 3.75 I thought it was Strange looking I picked it up wow smooth as silk handle is bent but a friend has new handle n. Spool I am going to fix n. Try it out on trout !
@JSturr the smaller one is so smooth I love it!! The bigger one I got at a local flea market with a rod for $12! But I still gotta clean it and go through it ..but everything works on it too.
Oh yeah the three 3,4,6x and 7x we're all all 5 1 to 1 gear ratio The 6 and 7 were 3 to 1gear ratio The 6X's and 7x's were only produced in the early '80s and were not produced any more after they stop producing the 3 and 4 series also The last productions for brown body with beige bells.. none were ever skirted school.
I just bought a 3 from a guy last night and really thought about selling it online because im broke an the holidays are comeing but i dont think ill ever get that broke lol oh an thr price ive paided i stole it lol an he knew what its worth we looked it up 1st so?? I thonk im gonna keep it tho
I have a cardinal that is by abu garcia 5 bearing attached to a zebco adventure rod. its very smooth. Do you know what model it is? all it says is "210" My father bought it in the 80s or 90s in colorado and he gave it to me.
Biggest different on Cardinal C3 and C4 in the gear box is one more gear compare to older Cardinal 4 or 3 , to slow down spool and lay the line relatively more densely. Bail arm springs on C3 and C4 is not perfect on older Cardinal 4 and 3 better and will keep much longer. Some the same Cardinals from factory was made better then other, more precise made, better frame casting and etc...,probably human factor. Have allot used C4 and C3 and some works without vibration and smooth, but some need work. My suggestion for people who looking for used, don't expect to get one used C4, C3 or older 4 and 3 cardinal without any issue, buy two or three the same and compare, you will see difference in all the same reels. Weakest point on C4 or C3 is bail arm plastic and springs, allot used this model reels usually get shaky and bad in bail arm mechanics, gears probably will last 100 years if correctly maintained. Good luck!
If the bail arm doesn't spring a little lubrication will correct that. I have 2 3s, I took them apart, re-lubed etc. One would never failed to spring, the other would always fail to spring. After close examination, I found that in side the spool well, there is a little piece of plastic attached to metal, this piece of plastic triggers the spring... one was lubed, the other was bone dry.... now both spring every time.
I purchased 2 Zebco/ABU Cardinal combos in 1971. They came with extra spool and a split cork spool filler. These were the finest spinning combos I ever used. The creator of this video is 100% spot on...these are very smooth reels....they almost retrieve themselves.
Thanks Mr. Clayton !! I totally agree with you !!
You've done the world a service, sir. I'm looking into getting me one of these. I'm a saltwater fisherman, and I'm trying to put together a vintage setup. Bought an old but new True Temper 1754.
Thanks !! Look on the eBay and everywhere else … the 3’s and 4’s … anywhere from $150 rebuilt to crazy prices for original … the only “rub” is that they are heavy and they really don’t work well with braid … they don’t wind well on the spool with braid.
@JSturr you're telling me. Seventy bucks sounds like a lot even for the 80s but if I ever come across one so reasonably priced I hope I can get to it first.
I've have a cardinal 4 that my dad gave me when I was in my teens, still fish with it caught plenty of bass, blue gill, crappie. I need a spool for it though.
Spools available on the Ebay or the AliExpress !!
@JSturr Thank you, will give it a try.
awsome reels, i have been using mine since the 70s, i own 5 x 33 and 2 x 44 and never had a problem with them yet, and they get used alot. bullet proof
All with produced by the Abu company in Sweden. They had some attempts later at a Japan etc that didn't hold up but they were skirted school. I've sold Cardinal four's a brand new in the box 20 years ago for 250 bucks each but that was a person that purchased three of them from me.
These cardinal 3,4,6,6x,7,7x are bulletproof saltwater worm gear stainless and brass gears fishing reels that outlast any spinning reels ever made up until the '80s and we're still using them today and getting premium prices for them.. only drawback was the threes and fours had plastic spools that would pop the tops on them when the line was wrapped too tight on certain spools over the years. The 6th and 7 series had aluminum spools this did not happen. I have pulled one out of the Gulf of Mexico with barnacles and growth all over it and cleaned it up and oiled it and used it.
I have 3 Cardinal 6 and 3 Cardinal 7 in this series. There is no 5 that I’ve ever heard of. I absolutely love them once I learned how to work on them. Only the Swedish ones are worth having. Oddly the 3s and 4s are the most expensive by far. You are correct in sharing that these are incredible little machines. The 6 and 7 are supposed to be for saltwater use and the line capaxity is sufficient. I’m going to use mine surf fishing this summer and fall on the Outer Banks along with a lot of other vintage reels. They are all I use. I have a collection of over 250 vintage surf spinning reels manufactured before 1980. I basically dislike modern reels especially all those made by Pure Fishing. I cry over all the once great brands they now have that are pale shadows of what they once were. Thanks for your short video.
I just wrote Zebco begging them to bring back the Cardinal series ... we'll see what they do. They could own the market again if they wanted.
@@JSturr I absolutely agree with you but if they are not made in Sweden I wouldn’t want them. Can you imagine a Chinese Zebco Cardinal made like the Swedish reels? I just can’t believe that could happen.I simply don’t think it could be done adequately with Pure Fishing’s Zebco in China. If Abu made it in Sweden I’d buy one immediately!
beautiful 33 those are worth some nice money now! nice video your right not enough people know about them which is good for those of us to still love fishing with them !!
The black ones from Japan had an anti-reverse dog that would break when you hit or set the hook on a fish a lot of times The 33 and 44 models I think I'm not sure which country they were from but from a different country maybe Italy I don't know.
I am in the process of restoring a Cardinal 6. I found a good parts source but I’m not sold on how solid these reels actually are. The weakness I’ve found is in the bail release mechanism. The plastic slide bail lock (ivory colored) that pokes out and is spring loaded to catch the bail has a tab protruding out the bottom of the rotor that catches a post on the bearing retaining plate. This causes that slide to pull slightly into the rotor thus releasing the bail. If that protruding tab ais worn the least little bit the reel won’t function and for all intents and purposes useless. These reels are great when they are working but only a little wear and they will fail.
The bail spring is the only weak link of the system -- but you will only have to probably replace that once in the life of the reel...
@@JSturr I wrote that post before I really knew what I was talking about. Now that I know how to do it the springs are no problem. I have about 30 springs I bought on Amazon that work perfectly. I’ve had much more difficulty with that plastic or nylon bail stop piece wearing out. I’ve had to replace two of them. Also at no time should you ever buy a used bail stop as you’ve got a 50/50 chance the one you bought won’t work. Still I love Zebco Cardinal reels. I have six now!
I started collecting in 2007 got a brand new zebco xr30 made in Japan abu cardinal 33 have a old Italy nettuno P.5 and some rare 1990's stuff
I have a green 4 but is in the body style of the 3.white finger slide & knob.
They are a great reel. My favorite actually. Would be nice to find some spools for these old Cardinal 4's.
I've got a 2,3 and 4. Love em.
Send a picture of the 2 -- never seen one before.
Thanks for the in fo.IFound a. 4. in 2nd. store 3.75 I thought it was
Strange looking I picked it up wow smooth as silk handle is bent but a friend has new handle n. Spool I am going to fix n. Try it out on trout !
i got my cardinal 4 at kmart for 20 bucks with a shakespear rod i still use it and they allways ask if i want to sell it when im at the bait store
Oh an looks like new condition well very good
I still use my Zebco Cardinal 3 on a daily basis
I know it says Zebco, but it is ABU - Sweden.
Are different sizes different colors? I have seen green and brown ones.
I have the exact same 2 reels!!
They are great, aren’t they !!
@JSturr the smaller one is so smooth I love it!! The bigger one I got at a local flea market with a rod for $12! But I still gotta clean it and go through it ..but everything works on it too.
@@Adam-y4i That's awesome you were in the right place at the right time find a gem !!
Oh yeah the three 3,4,6x and 7x we're all all 5
1 to 1 gear ratio The 6 and 7 were 3 to 1gear ratio
The 6X's and 7x's were only produced in the early '80s and were not produced any more after they stop producing the 3 and 4 series also The last productions for brown body with beige bells.. none were ever skirted school.
I just bought a 3 from a guy last night and really thought about selling it online because im broke an the holidays are comeing but i dont think ill ever get that broke lol oh an thr price ive paided i stole it lol an he knew what its worth we looked it up 1st so?? I thonk im gonna keep it tho
I have a cardinal that is by abu garcia 5 bearing attached to a zebco adventure rod. its very smooth. Do you know what model it is? all it says is "210" My father bought it in the 80s or 90s in colorado and he gave it to me.
What are the price selling one?
Prices are all over the place - usually around $150 starting to $800 depending upon how rare they are.
@JSturr ok cause i have one to sell.ok thanks
I hve 3, 4#'s and 1 #6. Awesome reels!
love the two I have
If anybody needs any cardinal 3 spools I have maybe a 60 of them I don't think I have any 4 spools left
I have a Abu cardinal 54.
Does it make clicking sound when anti reverse lever is on? is that normal ?
It makes a low grade buzzing -- that's normal -- take off the side body cover and you will easily see what happens when anti-reverse is engaged.
Biggest different on Cardinal C3 and C4 in the gear box is one more gear compare to older Cardinal 4 or 3 , to slow down spool and lay the line relatively more densely. Bail arm springs on C3 and C4 is not perfect on older Cardinal 4 and 3 better and will keep much longer. Some the same Cardinals from factory was made better then other, more precise made, better frame casting and etc...,probably human factor.
Have allot used C4 and C3 and some works without vibration and smooth, but some need work. My suggestion for people who looking for used, don't expect to get one used C4, C3 or older 4 and 3 cardinal without any issue, buy two or three the same and compare, you will see difference in all the same reels. Weakest point on C4 or C3 is bail arm plastic and springs, allot used this model reels usually get shaky and bad in bail arm mechanics, gears probably will last 100 years if correctly maintained. Good luck!
If the bail arm doesn't spring a little lubrication will correct that. I have 2 3s, I took them apart, re-lubed etc. One would never failed to spring, the other would always fail to spring. After close examination, I found that in side the spool well, there is a little piece of plastic attached to metal, this piece of plastic triggers the spring... one was lubed, the other was bone dry.... now both spring every time.
i have cardinal c4 meletop power
I have two never used Made in Sweden cardinal 4’s.
Anyone interested?
What’s the offer ?
To be honest, I’m still looking into price, there’s not much info out there on never used
IVE SEEN THESE REELS GOR FOR 3 AND 400 DOLLARS
# 3 IS WHAT I'M LOOKIN FOR 4 LITTLE TO BIG
I've got a cardinal 3 for sale
I am interested in your Cardinal 3 if still available, thank you. steveob123@gmail.com