Big-Bass

I have a Falcon Expert casting rod (6' Medium Extra Fast) that I bought new 15 years ago. The rod has seen many fish but I always wondered what blank this rod most closely mimics in say the Loomis or St. Croix line. I believe the blank is a Shikari blank on this particular rod and I think I bought it on closeout in 2001 for about $99. It is the only 6' rod I own but still find myself occasionally using it (not nearly like I used to then when I had only 6' and 6'6" rods max).

Calais DC But truthfully today, I think the absolute pinnacle of Shimano workmanship (aside from the Conquest) is the 16 Antares DC.

10-14 pound mono with 12 being the most common pound test I use.

Mine came yesterday and boy does it cast well on both my 66M Expride and 72M Adrena. I really like the reel. I am going to further adjust to see where it fits my casting style perfect for both distance and control. I would order another one. Makes me wonder if I need to even order an MGL for the Adrena.

Kring Point, Goose Bay, Ironsides, etc. Good luck and good fishing!

It will be corrected! No worries and enjoy the reel once you get the correct one.

Iovino Splash-It is a pretty nice popper. I haven't used a Pop Max but heard they are nice. All depends on what you want to do.

Costa 580G or Smith Chromapop or Techlite are for me!

I also have one ordered so when it arrives, I really hope its a nice reel. I think I'm going to match it with my Expride 66M.

I used to love the Rebel Fast Trac baits when I was a kid...I remember years ago my dad buying me those baits and how much they meant to me.

I bought my two the other day and bought two more today. The store now has no more. But now I have buyers remorse since I bought four altogether. I listed two in the swap forum since I don't think I need four but whatever...if someone is looking for one or two of these reels, I have them NIB and still have some for me.

Ahhh...the days of those colors, Trilene trucker hats, pistol grips and round reels! That was childhood fishing with my dad for me!

I am gonna use them...bought two already on sale and may buy two more tomorrow if they are available. Selling would only be an option if only if I felt needed in the future.

I was at a local tackle shop that has a few Citica E reels left as new old stock items. They are on sale but what is considered a good price to pick these reels up for? Are they worth the purchase?

I had the opportunity to grab one of these reels in the 5600 model (the 5500/5600 size used to be the standard for bass fishing way-back-when) and wondered if anyone fishes this reel. It has a 6.8:1 gear ratio and holds 135/12lb. While it is heavier than many modern reels, older Ambassadeur reels are built like tanks and I got it for a great deal. Plus this version has only been on the market since 2013 (older version was from 2005-2013) and is a nice gunmetal color which would add nice to my Abu collection if I decide to display it after I fish it. Any input is helpful! I figure maybe use it for jigs, spinnerbaits, and maybe cranks. Thanks!

Not sure the material but honestly the reel felt really solid...in fact more solid than many higher priced reels. The cold forged handle gave the reel a really rigid feel and it seemed to be well made. I would be hard pressed in this price range to find something similar after looking at a lot of reels. Feels like a $150+ reel.

I was able to handle the NASCI reel today at Bass Pro in PA. What an awesome reel! The cold forged handle made the reel really feel solid and it looks sort of like a Stella. I also felt the new Ci4+ which as awesome but for the money, I don't see how the NASCI can be beaten. I may get one just to have it...it was that nice for the price!

Looks like a great reel. I may look into a 2500 for myself. I haven't seen one yet but online they look nice.

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Okay...thanks! For its age I think it looks great. I might even use it just to say I caught a fish on a reel thats over 20 years older than me. I am sure the cranking power is awesome. Maybe I'll put 14-20lb. test on the reel and use it for big baits! It would be cool to put it to good use while not harming its value.

Here is the site that I used and some info on the all models...the 6000 info is on there as well as a breakdown of how to determine age. http://www.lurelore.com/freds/abu.html#section9 I am wondering because of the good condition how much it's worth. Thanks!

Grooved side plates are what I meant to say...sorry. The frame is original and Abu 6000 models before 1964 did not have date codes stamped them. I will post pictures if I can for better assessment. Thank you!

Hi everyone, I am looking to find the worth of a reel that I recently acquired. The reel is an Abu Ambassadeur 6000 reel with the following features: Beveled red side plates, no date stamped on reel foot, oil port on handle, black spool with red trim, pearl handle with counterbalance weight, four screws on side plate, flat edge screws, and a red five point star drag. I think this reel from what I am reading was made between 1959 and 1961. It came with a brown leather reel case with what looks like a brass closure. It has a manual for Ambassadeur 5000 and 6000 in it but it is creased and has some crumbled edges. It has a vile of spare parts, brake blocks, etc. that has a "6000" on the red cap, a small tube of oil and a small wrench. The reel is almost totally flawless cosmetically and works perfectly. Any idea on what this would be worth from a collector's standpoint would be great. Thanks so much and best wishes on the water!

I just picked up what is apparently a new very old stock Fenwick HMG Iron Hawk Graphite pistol grip rod to match up with an Iovino Abu 4500CI that is coming in the mail. The rod is a 557 model and is 5'6" of retro coolness...LOL. It's rated for 3/8 - 1 1/4oz. lures and all guides are perfect, the original sticker is still on the reel seat. The blank is sort of a brown burgundy color with gold and orange lettering regarding HMG. The handle is contoured and rubberized like alligator skin with a gold accent band where the rubber meets the graphite/plastic section of the reel seat. Any idea if this is worth anything? To me, it just seems like a cool rod for topwater and spinnerbaits. Retro for sure and something my dad would have used years ago. I paid an even $20. Did I overpay or find a good deal? Thanks and good fishing!

Like I posted earlier, I wonder how the 2016 version will be compared to the current model. The 2016 looks more like an FK with red and black trim added to it.