reel conversion

What lb test are you using?
You can speed up or slow down your reel with the brake blocks or slow it down by using a thicker oil.
The white brakes are the heaviest and work best with lightweight lures. The black brakes are medium weight and allow the reel to cast farther with a heavier lead or lure. The BLUE brakes are the lightest of the plastic brakes, and give you the most distance.

Tony,
Was this a brand new reel doen up with brand new line?
With my abus every time I put new line on them I have to put on a hopkins spoon and cast for 5 minutes or so. It seems to stretch the line out so that I never get a birdsnest.
If I don't do it, then I tend to get an occasional birds nest.
I have a 5500 and a 6500. The 6500 has less problems than the 5500.
What type and what size line were you using?

Another problem I have read about is if you use too small or light a lure for the reel. The lure dies in flight before the reel slows and you have a nest.

Just another angle to your problem.

HUSKYMD, I USED 17 LB ANDY TERN.LINE AND8 OZ LEAD LIKE U SAID I DID NOT STRETCH THE LINE FIRST, NIETHER DID I PROPERLY SET THE REEL FOR THE SIZE SINKER I WAS TRYING TO USE. TRYING TO GUESS WHERE TO SET THE RESISTANCE WITH AN 8 OZ LEAD IS JUST NOT THE WAY TO GO WONT HAPPEN AGAIN. DO U KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE SMOOTHIE DRAG SYSTEM?? HAV U HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH YOUR DRAG NOT BEING STRONG ENOUGH ON THE ABU-S 6500'S I HAV NOT HAD THIS PROBLEM, BUT HAV BEEN TOLD THAT THE DRAG ON THE ABU-S ARE NOT VERY GOOD

The drag systems on the Abu's are their weak point. But unless you are headed for Drum and Cobia as your quarry I would not worry about it, you might want a larger reel. Pull the manual and follow the instructions to set up the reel,use 1oz then try tossing 8oz. Salty has a great way to set the tension, I just cannot rember his steps. I just set it with a slight knock(side to side play). The brake blocks start out with max and work you way down. Now the real key practice. Try the Long distance board you could probably hook up with them and practice.

I THUGHT IT WAS ME WITH MINE. KNOW I UNDERSTAND A LITTLE MORE ABOUT IT.