IMO the 5600 is a sweet reel to use. Ive done alot of barra to pinky fishing with one and rate them highly as a good "cheap" baitcaster. I still hjave 3 of the 5600c4 and love them but dont use them much anymore due to upgrading to calcutta te's etc. The only thing about the abu's is the clearance between the "body" and the "spool". Line can and will slip behind the spool lip without you noticing it. 

Some thing that accurs reguarly with these reels in the brake pins can get squashed after a while. If you remove the side plate (handle side) you will see on the side of the spool that there is two little plastic white pins that slide in and out to put more or less pressure (brake) when casting. These little pins can get stuck either in or out and they also tend to bend down after a while. Make sure these are straight (horizontal with the spool / even gaps) and the little pins can easily move when they want to. If not replace them, there not expensive and i always carry spares.

If its not tha remove the brake control knob and make sure its not full of to much greese or sand. As they can also jam and even though it feels like its working it wont if stuck. When ajusting your braking knob back it right off so you can feel the spool moving from side to side, then slowly tighten it up until the spool feels "snug" and theres no more movement.

At this setting you will be able to cast wieghts from 15 to 50gms with ease on most siutable rods. They tell you to place a lure on the end and free spool it to the ground so it doesnt race but gently lowers.......this is good but ive found doesnt really apply to the Abu's because they arent as smooth as a calcutta or luna for instance. They cast much better set at this setting for all wieghts.

The rod you are using is fine IMO and will cast the wieghts mensioned. I run 10, 14, 20lb over mine (braid) with no problems at all and "acruate" and "power" casts work well. I have just respooled one of mine with strn gold 6kg mono for a light trolling outfit for tailor etc. One thing about your rod though.....have you tried to cast with the reel on another rod? The rod might have a stuffed guide that you cant see etc and the line might be jaming on that as it flows out.
Also make sure that your braid to leader knot isnt fouling up through the guides also but i think you would notice if it was that.

With out actually seeing the reel in the flesh i cant think of anyother reason why it wouldnt work. You can drop it off to me if you wish and i can service and see what the drama is. Or show you how to cast one :) hahahaha

 

Keep it tight, reeeeeeel tight!

*****RECFISH MEMBER*****

yeah nice one spessy, show me how to wipe my ass too? :P

nah thanks mate ill check those things hey but it could be the rod... but then again, I lent the rod to tyson a while ago when he snapped the tip off his rapala braid concept and he was casting fine with it so hmmm

Ill have a play with it maybe while we're in jurien... and see what happens.