Abu Garcia Ambassadeur... better for the money?

[CCMI]

I plan to get my first baitcasting reel and so far the Abu Garcia Ambassadeur C3 looks pretty appealing. Right now a have only spinning reels that have been sufficient for bass and panfish, but this is something I'd use primarily for Pike and possibly for throwing some heavier lures for bass (over 3/8oz). I'd also like something big and durable enough for the salmon run I'd like to hit this fall (5500 size?), if possible.

I know that a lot of people prefer the low-profile baitcasters for the lighter weight and "palming" the reel, but it seems the good quality ones are not cheap. The less expensive ones seem to have a reputation for more plastic parts and wearing out more quickly. I'd like to keep this under $100, and preferably something I can get from Bass Pro since I've got a few gift cards that'll basically pay for the whole thing.

So my question is, is there a better baitcasting reel for MY purposes under $100?

 

[Yorkshire Boy]

How about a Shimano Cardiff or Corvalus

 

[dipbait]

I cant answer your question but I will vouch that the round Abu Garcias are good reels.

 

[D-RIG]

I would try to buy a used Calcutta or a Lew Childers and learn on a good real my first real was a Lew's and they still work good 25 years later .

 

[crazyengineer]

I don't know off the top of my head about better reals for the money (I have a pfluegar trion low profile that I love), But I have a few of the old Abu ambassadors, the old round red ones and those things are freaking tanks. I haven't got my hands on any of the new ones yet though. I can tell you that the older ones last forever, I dont know about the new ones though

 

[jonathan creason]

Abu's are great reels, just be sure you get one of the Swedish made ones. The crap they're selling in the big box stores now suck. Also, if you plan on fishing for something that makes long, hard runs I'd go ahead and upgrade the stock drag washers. You can find carbon fiber ones online pretty cheap.

 

[CCMI]

Thanks guys for the responses so far. Does the 5600 size seem like a good choice or would it be better to go with the larger 6600 size? Is there any disadvantage to using the 6600 size for smaller applications like bass?

Abu's are great reels, just be sure you get one of the Swedish made ones. The crap they're selling in the big box stores now suck. Also, if you plan on fishing for something that makes long, hard runs I'd go ahead and upgrade the stock drag washers. You can find carbon fiber ones online pretty cheap.

From what I can tell, the Ambassadeur's sold at Bass Pro are still made in Sweden. I haven't found anything definitive yet though. Might just have to check the box or reel itself.


Edit: here is a zoom-in from a pic on their website, reel says made in Sweden

Have you still had or heard of bad experiences with the current Ambassadeur models or only the Abu reels made outside of Sweden?

 

[Ebbtide]

I'm a fan

I've caught 36"+ stripers on a 5500 so I think you'll be fine.
The 2 silver 5500's in the photo are my go to striper reels.

The 3 green reels are 4600, 5600 & 6600 C5 MagX's.
Magnetic cast control with ball bearing level winds.
I paid 80-100 for each... they are discontinued, but pop up now and then.

I have small hands and can palm these with no problem.

These are very simple reels. Easy to maintain with good parts availability.
I have older Shimano low profile reels and have switched back to the Abu round reels.

The red Abu is my first, from 1982.

If you keep to weights of 3/8oz and over while learning you should be fine.
I'd spool up with some heavier mono (14-20#) for the learning process as well.
Less likely to bird nest and when it does, it is easier to pick out.
The casting motion has a little less snap to it than a spinning cast.
Go slow, bunt & hit grounders before you go swinging for home runs.

 

[CCMI]

I'm a fan

I've caught 36"+ stripers on a 5500 so I think you'll be fine.
The 2 silver 5500's in the photo are my go to striper reels.

The 3 green reels are 4600, 5600 & 6600 C5 MagX's.
Magnetic cast control with ball bearing level winds.
I paid 80-100 for each... they are discontinued, but pop up now and then.

I have small hands and can palm these with no problem.

These are very simple reels. Easy to maintain with good parts availability.
I have older Shimano low profile reels and have switched back to the Abu round reels.

The red Abu is my first, from 1982.

If you keep to weights of 3/8oz and over while learning you should be fine.
I'd spool up with some heavier mono (14-20#) for the learning process as well.
Less likely to bird nest and when it does, it is easier to pick out.
The casting motion has a little less snap to it than a spinning cast.
Go slow, bunt & hit grounders before you go swinging for home runs.

Nice collection you've got there! Thanks for the advice.

Is it fair to say you'd recommend a C5 over a new C3 or C4, assuming price is approximately the same?

I've got my eye on a few older model 5500's and for the price it's hard to say no.

 

[Ebbtide]

The C5 mag reels are nice no doubt about it.
Then again I don't feel like I'm lacking when I use the others.
Many parts are interchangeable, so I'm pretty sure you could buy one model and upgrade it.
Do a web search for Foran reel supply and Alan Tani's website to shop parts and read about hot rodding Abus.

 

[Blue Sky]

I have 3 older Ambassaduers and they are decent reels. Strong and reliable, worth the money.

BTW, if you keep the spool filled it will spin slower on the cast and therefore be easier to control. A good thing when you're starting out. Some backlash is inevitable, no matter how good you are. I carry a small crochet hook along, they work great for picking out snarls. Practice a lot before you get streamside!

 

[Mikael W]

The Ambassadeur reels are legendary here in Sweden and I like the Classic design with flat sides.

I use my CS 6500 Rocket for both Northern Pike and Salmon.
It's perfect for Pike but the Salmon afficionados prefer the larger 7000 model.
I'm still a learner when it comes to Salmon but it's possible to present the fly&sinker whereever I want it to be in the river.
The CS 6500 throws the bait very long with some practise.

View attachment 337668

Regards
Mikael

 

[masa]

Thanks guys for the responses so far. Does the 5600 size seem like a good choice or would it be better to go with the larger 6600 size? Is there any disadvantage to using the 6600 size for smaller applications like bass?

From what I can tell, the Ambassadeur's sold at Bass Pro are still made in Sweden. I haven't found anything definitive yet though. Might just have to check the box or reel itself.


Edit: here is a zoom-in from a pic on their website, reel says made in Sweden

Have you still had or heard of bad experiences with the current Ambassadeur models or only the Abu reels made outside of Sweden?

Nice collection you've got there! Thanks for the advice.

Is it fair to say you'd recommend a C5 over a new C3 or C4, assuming price is approximately the same?

I've got my eye on a few older model 5500's and for the price it's hard to say no.

The disadvantage of a 6600 over a 5600 is that it will not cast as far given a same weight. the plus side is that the 6600 has a line out clicker. The C4 in the has an additional bearing in the levelwind. with all the spectra lines in the market, there probably wont be a problem with reel size with either. You might also like to know that the c5 have additional bearings at each side of the levelwind but the downside is that the magnetic control removes its clicker mechanism.

 

[tbow]

I've got a 5500 C3 that I've had since 96-97 and it has been a great reel. I have used Abu's since I was a kid (70's) and this version to me is the best all around. I am partial to the old style with the release on the side. I don't care for the 5600 type with the release similar to a Curado. I have caught all types/sizes of fish with mine and no issues.