Akios 656 CTM

[andyco]

Not buying at the minute, but just getting some ideas for a new multiplier (mostly be used on the pier).

Anyone got any views on the Akios 656? Or would the money be better spent on a Fathom 15 or Abu 6500 C3 CT, or anything else similar?

 

[Nooo Fish]

I've got a 651csm and it's bottom of the pile out of my multis now mate. It was ok to start with but not a patch on me other reels.

 

[Juliogeordio]

Fathom 15 Andy.... Get it magged. Similar to the 525 but better build quality and for an extra 30 quid you may aswell spend it. Never used one but never heard anything but great reviews...

 

[Pete from shields]

656 Akios is a cracking reel, I love mine, they're made by the same guys who made/designed Abu I believe. My youngun uses a Fathom 12 with no problems, build quality is fantastic on them. I'm not sure why everyone says to mag them, if you need a magged reel by a magged reel.

 

[fishingmark]

If it's just for the pier Andy the 525 mag is a good all rounder. I wasn't a big fan having got one when they first came out and couldn't get away with it, but I've bought two in the last year and they have been spot on. Can't really comment that much on the Akios having never owned one, but bigger fish will be a real struggle with the slower retrieve and lack of cranking power that you will have.

 

[cookie1992]

people mag them cos the a waste of space on blocks ither to slow or to fast got a 15 magged and if it wasnt for getting it magged it be gone now

 

[OuTkast76]

As Mark said the akios might struggle on retrieve on shields pier & is more of a clean ground casting reel...I have the fathom 15 and is my first choice of reel over my others now

 

[Juliogeordio]

656 Akios is a cracking reel, I love mine, they're made by the same guys who made/designed Abu I believe. My youngun uses a Fathom 12 with no problems, build quality is fantastic on them. I'm not sure why everyone says to mag them, if you need a magged reel by a magged reel.

The break blocks on the fathom apparently engage when you hit a hard cast... Magging removes the issue apparently mate... Don't own one, just passing on the info lol

 

[Juliogeordio]

For my two pennies worth I would stuck with our slosh reels untill they break r get worn out mate, nothing wrong with them at all for what you need

 

[andyco]

My slosh's are a bit ropey now, not nearly as smooth as they should be, they still do the job for now but I was planning on buying brand new when I've got the spare cash, and the first reel I thought of was the 525, but seen bad reviews of the mag2's that the shops have?

 

[Pighunter]

It all depends on ground you fishing akios reels are about the best on the market for long range fishing over clean ground but from a pier you want something like the 525 mag2 or fathom or one step up the trq 15

 

[happydays]

I have the 656 and a fathom and they are both great reels and have there places but for what you want to use it for i would go for the fathom .

 

[Stewart 1971]

If you want a clean ground distance casting reel for .35mm line then go for the Akios. They are like the old Abu's used to be before Pure Fishing took over and moved production to the far East (which is no surprise as Mr Akios used to be Abu chief design engineer or some such).

If you want a reel for Shields Pier then get a 525, Saltist or Fathom. Whilst you will get away with a clean ground reel on some areas (I happily use my 7HT Mag at the Slab, rail end and around the 44 mark) off the end or on other rougher shots you need the cranking power of a bigger reel.

 

[happydays]

Hi stewart have you used the akios shuttle ? im going to get 1 to use as a fishing reel on clean to mixed beaches this year purely because of its 1 piece cage making it stronger in principle to the 656 ctm .What do you think ? if any1 else as any views on this i would love to hear them .

 

[Stewart 1971]

Hi stewart have you used the akios shuttle ? im going to get 1 to use as a fishing reel on clean to mixed beaches this year purely because of its 1 piece cage making it stronger in principle to the 656 ctm .What do you think ? if any1 else as any views on this i would love to hear them .

To be honest mate I'd ask why you need a one piece cage? Back in the day we used to use Abu 6500 reels that we had to hacksaw the level wind bar off then fit a conversion bar to give a bit more strength to the cage. A mate of mine landed a 14lb cod off the Chems at Seaham using a converted 6500 (back when the pits were open and the Chems was a mixed beach due to the spoil heap). One piece cages are nice, look good and if you have small hands can help you grip the spool but for most fishing situations are not really necessary.

Mark Jakins (England international caster) tested the prototype 656 CTM and cast it over 250 yards vanilla at Steyning. Sure, the Shuttle is a nice reel but I'm not sure it justifies the extra £50 over and above the CTM for fishing

 

[john/r]

Not buying at the minute, but just getting some ideas for a new multiplier (mostly be used on the pier).

Anyone got any views on the Akios 656? Or would the money be better spent on a Fathom 15 or Abu 6500 C3 CT, or anything else similar?

prob wth akios reel i had line would go down side of spool.one of my pals had one and had a prob wth anti reverse bearing.

pier wrk my choice would be penn 525/penn fathom 15 fixed spools reels are another but completely diff choice becomming more and more popular wth braid.

 

[happydays]

Thanks for the advice lads it really appreciated and i will stick to what i have then as i already have the 656 ctm i just thought the 1 piece cage would have given it that bit more strength and as i use the rod a lot to get fish in, i now no i dont have to go out and spend £150 unnecessarily . I think what it was , was the size drop as i was using the 25N fathom and the daiwa shv and i started to use these small reels( 656 ctm and 7ht) again and they felt so tiny but i will have a lot more confidence in them now , cheers .

 

[mag53]

For my two pennies worth I would stuck with our slosh reels untill they break r get worn out mate, nothing wrong with them at all for what you need

Funny this cos I've the mag 525 usa and a Slosh 30 ... to be honest I like my Slosh, very forgiving on cast, but also like the Mag but its a different reel all together and a lot faster as I found out on my last trip and 1st time cast, needs more attention during a cast than the Slosh. Good reel tho when you've getting used to it.

 

[Juliogeordio]

Both good reels and if it ain't broke....

 

[andyco]

Thanks for all the input everyone, the reel will be mostly for shields pier (I prefer using my Surfblaster on the beach, and have the slosh 30 for the cliffs) so seems a fathom 15, 525, or a new slosh 20 will be a better choice than the akios.

I've been reading the other thread on the 525 mag 2 vs the original 525 and it seems a lot of people are happy with the new one but some don't rate it.

I've just been on the pier tonight, using my afaw big beach for the first time, with my old slosh 20 with 30lb nite crystal (0.47mm) - emptied the spool every cast, but it feels horrible when I'm reeling back in, and it makes a fair bit of noise. (I wouldn't normally use 30lb mainline on the pier but went out in a hurry and that's what I had on it - when I do get a new multiplier will probably be using 18lb on it).