I'm looking into buying a round baitcast reel

[RafaelM]

I recently sparked up an interest in round baitcast reels, specifically the Abu Garcia C series of reels and I was wondering if anyone here has had some experience with them and could possibly share some knowledge. I'm thinking about getting a C3 5500 or 6500 and I'm not sure what type of rod I would pair it with because of the different sizes, if anyone here has a c3 or a c4, would you mind sharing your rod setup ? Also, if anyone has some other round baitcast reels they would recommend I'd like hearing about them too.

[frogflogger]

I have two calcutta b's over 15 yrs old and function like new - they are bullet proof - I also have my original 5000 Ambassador - 50 yrs. old -  good reel but not in the shimano calcutta class

[dsqui]

u cant really go wrong with a calcutta especially the d's or te's.  they are gonna cost ya a pretty penny though. daiwas and okumas are pretty decent reals from what ive read as well.  now im sufe ill catch some heck for this but ive never had any luck with anything abu so in my book all there gear is garbage. maybe i always get the defected ones but after 4 reels i wont consider buying anything with there name on it.  on the other hand they have a very big following ive just never been very impressed with them.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

OP, what do want to do with the Rod n reel combo? 

[FrankN209]

I have a Abu Garcia  C4-5601. It's a very good and durable reel. What will you being using it for? I tried using it for casting swimbait lures, and it works fine for that. 

[crypt]

still use my 4600's all the time. great tough reel,not light but dependable as all get out. great for swimbaits,carolina rigs,and umbrella rigs. 

also have 4 abu 1600 black max's that are as bulletproof as my other round reels. use these for just about everything. did modify them with faster gearing,they come with 5.3-1 went to 6.3-1. minor upgrade but made a big difference.also ceramic bearings.

[fishnkamp]

My catfish guide uses a bunch of 5500c I think. Anyway they are very durable and powerhouses but unless I was chasing the big flathead catfish she catches or I was into musky they have no place in my arsenal.  I guess they would be great for trolling big lakes for walleye too.

[Poolshark]

4 hours ago, Rafaelm said:

I recently sparked up an interest in round baitcast reels, specifically the Abu Garcia C series of reels and I was wondering if anyone here has had some experience with them and could possibly share some knowledge. I'm thinking about getting a C3 5500 or 6500 and I'm not sure what type of rod I would pair it with because of the different sizes, if anyone here has a c3 or a c4, would you mind sharing your rod setup ? Also, if anyone has some other round baitcast reels they would recommend I'd like hearing about them too.

The size reel you would like should depend on what you plan on doing with it. I own and love the 4600 size ambassaduers, as well as Calcutta 200 d, and my favorate of all of them would be the 100 sized calcuttas b series. I like them because of the smaller profile and the ability to adjust breaks on the fly. For an all around ambassaduer I would say the 4600 sized is nice. They get pretty heavy after that. If you are throwing big swimbaits, than you might jump up in size though. 

[Poolshark]

Also, it might be worth noting that tackletour did a fairly detailed review of the Abu 4600 c3. If you are considering and looking for info. 

[iceintheveins]

The Shimano Cardiff is a very good affordable one. If you have the money though, a Calcutta B.

[Catt]

II have 2 Calcutta CT100A that are 25-30+ yrs old, 2 Cardiff CDF100A that are 15-20 yrs old & a Calcutta CT50A that's 25 yrs.

All have original parts except the 50, it has a new paw & worm gear.

Solid as an anvil, versatile as a pair of ChannelLocks, dependable as a 30/30!

[A-Jay]

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~

Not knowing what your plan is for the reels, I'm liking the Shimano Calcutta D Series Casting Reels.

A couple of 200's for cranking and a 300 that's pulling swimbait duty.

A-Jay

[Cgrinder]

It's hard to argue with Calcuttas, but Ryoga and I are trying.

[lakeannaangler]

I use ambassadors for trolling for stripers. I would recommend the 4600 size for most bass fishing. They are good reels but depending on what you want to use it for I would look into the shakespeare skp round reels. I usually use them for catfish but I use one for heavy carolina rigs and swimbaits, the reel cast amazing.

[Gundog]

Shimano Cardiff A series. I've got a 300 lefty I use for stripers/muskies and it hasn't let me down yet.

[Red Bear]

i have an abu garcia ambassadeur 5601 bcx and an ambassadeur 6601 C4 that i use for various types of fishing. the 5601 i have used for bass fishing and occasionally still do, but its mostly a catfishing reel right now. the 6601 i use for catfish and stripers. never had a problem out of either of them. other than a couple years ago the 5601 wouldnt cast 10 yards, took it home, took it apart, then cleaned, greased and oiled it, now it casts a mile...

[ad78]

2weeks ago im on dilemma with round reels. At first my bets are AG C4 and Daiwa saltist. I ended up getting the Calcutta 400B. 

[new2BC4bass]

I have a Black Max 1600C with an unknown size of red braid.  I assume PP and around 15#.  It is mounted on a Daiwa V.I.P. 6' 9" MF rated 1/4-3/4 oz. and 10-17#.  Stock far as I know.  Two more sitting on the shelf.  Have Smooth Drags for them all and a set of ABEC5 bearings for one.  Not too big to palm.  Was surprised how well they will cast into a fairly strong head wind with a small fluke and 3/0 hook.

Quite a bit can be done to them.  Need to upgrade the gearing in a couple of mine. 

[Chrisran99]

I use a Cardiff 100a for square bill and shallow cranking and a Cardiff 200a for deep cranking. I have a Abu 5600 I use for bottom fishing inshore and a 7000i for offshore. While the Abu's can take a beating and are easy to clean the Shimanos are a lot smoother and are more compact for freshwater applications. If you can spring the cash the Calcutta's are top notch. A few years ago we used a 700B to reel in an 11'+ gator.

[Airman4754]

I literally own every Ambassador model from the C4 down and I have couple Calcuttas as well. 

I use the Ambassadors for salmon and steel head, fresh and salt water. I've never taken any of them apart, cleaned them out, etc. Some are over thirty years old. They all still work great. They cast weights up to 3oz and land fish up to 40lbs.

I throw glides and swim baits with the Calcuttas. 

The Abu's will do medium to light swimbait work and magnum crank baits no problem. If you're going to throw slide swimmers and Hudds all the time get a Calcutta.