NEjitterbugger Posted March 21, 2013 Posted March 21, 2013 I recently picked up a used Abu Garcia Ambassadeur TGC5000C... I have never fished a round reel and am new to the baitcasting thing too... Any info will be apreciated, especially about... What type of fishing should I do with this reel What type of line What type of rod Etc. Thanks Quote
EvanT123 Posted March 21, 2013 Posted March 21, 2013 That's a pretty loaded question. Based on my experience and reading this site alt, I think some of those questions you have to answer yourself. Based on the other thread you started on spinning rods; you had a good idea on what you wanted to do with that reel. Same situation applies. What type of baits do you like to fish? What's the cover situation? Will you target other species? These are all questions you should ask yourself. Obviously you are going to have a finesse type setup. So why not make this one a setup for heavier/larger presentations. Short answer 6'6-7 med heavy fast. Start with heavier line its easier to get the hang of with a baitcaster say 15lb trilene big game and work your way down as you get better with casting and if the fishing situation permits. 1 Quote
The Rooster Posted March 21, 2013 Posted March 21, 2013 Bass fishing, cat fishing, it's good for either one. Should hold 205 yards of 12 pound line. I fished these for years for bass and catfish both and it was great. I got into low profile reels for comfort mostly and I like them better now but the Abu Garcia you have there will hold its own in the bass fishing area. It's a fishing machine! I'd do like the other person said and make it a heavier setup for jigs, spinnerbaits, and things like that. Put probably 14 pound line on it, or other but not less than 12 pound (for me). Quote
NEjitterbugger Posted March 21, 2013 Author Posted March 21, 2013 I was planning on it be for spinnerbaits, larger swimbaits, jigs, etc. Quote
joetomlee Posted March 21, 2013 Posted March 21, 2013 It's set up at a really low gear ratio of 5.1:1, so why not use it for pitching and flipping heavy cover? Unless you are looking for something with a slow presentation then you can do that as well. I am just thinking for spinners and such things that you spend a lot of time reeling in, that's going to wear you down more quickly. If I were you I'd use this as my heavy hitter. Jigs and swimbaits would still work on it as well. And as Et said, you've got the other rod which sounds like a finesse setup and this one could complement that. 1 Quote
fowlskies Posted March 21, 2013 Posted March 21, 2013 It's set up at a really low gear ratio of 5.1:1, so why not use it for pitching and flipping heavy cover? Unless you are looking for something with a slow presentation then you can do that as well. I am just thinking for spinners and such things that you spend a lot of time reeling in, that's going to wear you down more quickly. If I were you I'd use this as my heavy hitter. Jigs and swimbaits would still work on it as well. And as Et said, you've got the other rod which sounds like a finesse setup and this one could complement that. Its the total opposite...that reel has the power and torque to work spinnerbaits all day (especially ones with larger blades). Its when you step up in speed that you lose torque and feel it in the reel. I have an Abu C3 4600 that I love for spinnerbaits, it runs them so much easier and smoother than my other reels its not even a competition. 1 Quote
joetomlee Posted March 21, 2013 Posted March 21, 2013 I knew that lower gear ratios had more torque but didn't think about it in that way before - good point. Quote
NEjitterbugger Posted March 21, 2013 Author Posted March 21, 2013 Its the total opposite...that reel has the power and torque to work spinnerbaits all day (especially ones with larger blades). Its when you step up in speed that you lose torque and feel it in the reel. I have an Abu C3 4600 that I love for spinnerbaits, it runs them so much easier and smoother than my other reels its not even a competition. Thanks fowlskies, so you tink it would be good for large swimbaits and jigs as well... Quote
The Rooster Posted March 21, 2013 Posted March 21, 2013 It will cast jigs well. I like faster ratios for them though to take up line fast in case a fish hits it and then swims towards you. Slower reels give the fish too much time to spit the bait out before your can set a hook. 1 Quote
joetomlee Posted March 21, 2013 Posted March 21, 2013 I agree Rooster. I think fowlskies has a really valid point that should be considered but I've had most success on spinnerbaits with high ratio gear reels. In my experience, speed has been a key factor to spinnerbait fishing. What does everyone else do?? Quote
The Rooster Posted March 21, 2013 Posted March 21, 2013 With spinnerbaits, I use a 7.0:1 ratio reel. I slow down my retrieve when slow rolling, although it does take some effort to go slow enough. For moderate to fast retrieves, it's easy. I'm using a Curado E7 most of the time. I have no torque issues on large single blade baits either, or none that I've noticed. Of course, I swing a hammer for a living so I probably would grind the teeth off the gears before I noticed anyway. I used to use an Ambassadeur with a 5.3:1, and another with a 6.3:1 ratio, and I'd fish spinnerbaits on either one. I preferred the 6.3:1 for most baits except for deep crankbaits and slow rolling spinnerbaits. It just suited my style of fishing better. It was just fast enough but not too much. 7 ratio reels hadn't yet hit the scene when I got it and I actually wondered if it would be too much at the time. It wasn't. Wish I still had that reel. It was a 5600C4 with the bait click on the side, blue and chrome colors, not the blue and gold one out now, but similar. Quote
fowlskies Posted March 21, 2013 Posted March 21, 2013 If you want to burn it throw it on a higher speed reel but I don't have a problem creating a wake with my 5.5:1 reel. What type of fishing should I do with this reel Whatever makes you happy just keep it to heavier lures and presentations, that reel will do what you want it to. What type of line I'm a big fan of braid so I wouldn't tell you any different, but set your drag light when using swimbaits with trebble hooks What type of rod 7" MH fast tip. great all around rod Quote
NEjitterbugger Posted March 21, 2013 Author Posted March 21, 2013 A baitcaster question in general.. The small knob on the reel that seems to control how easy your line comes out of the reel when you are casting... What should it be set to how tight???? Quote
Super User slonezp Posted March 21, 2013 Super User Posted March 21, 2013 A baitcaster question in general.. The small knob on the reel that seems to control how easy your line comes out of the reel when you are casting... What should it be set to how tight???? http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/92295-how-to-set-up-a-baitcaster/ Quote
Super User slonezp Posted March 21, 2013 Super User Posted March 21, 2013 The reel will out last you. I fished round Abu's for 35 years and just switched over to low profiles maybe 4 or 5 years ago. You can use them to fish any bait 3/8 oz or heavier with ease. Anything lighter and you may experience problems with backlashes. Just takes practice. 1 Quote
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