imo, abu 6500's are too small for any real surfcasting if you need a solid drag. you can add smoothies and ht-100's, but they still suck eventually. i sold all my small abus off except for my original rocket. anyway, i think in that size range, a non-mag penn 525 or a magged avet are your best choices. i had a calcutta for a while, but just didn't like it. too hard to control. dunkability,
, only in the avet. waterproof bearings and a drag that is not affected by submersion. you will want to drop a couple mags in it though. they spin FOREVER without mags and can be very hard to control. mine is magged and needs little if any thumbing. it may be a little strange getting used to the lever drag, though. that is the one thing i still have trouble with.