Abu Garcia Ambassador C3 still relevant?

[DN3]

Anyone still use the Abu Garcia Ambassador C3? It’s been forever since I’ve had one, wondering how they compare to the more modern baitcasters….any info is appreciated!

[T-Billy]

Still use mine for catfish.

[Deleted account]

I'm throwing big ploppers with heavy mono on them, in addition to other larger lures.

[Cgolf]

I have 2 for Musky that are great and I throw big swimbaits for musky on them sometimes catching the occasional bass with them. 

[newapti5]

 I am gonna list my C4 up for sale soon, hopefully this month.

 

[bulldog1935]

You can totally change their nature with the aftermarket parts made for them, shallow lightweight spools, improved spool bearings, lightweight ball-bearing LW parts, mag brake. 

 

 

I built this reel for braid and casting 1/2 oz, but setting up the mag brake, discovered it can cast 3 g and is totally backlash-proof.  It's also the best skipping reel I've ever used. 

[GreenPig]

Haven't thrown swimbaits with my 6500C3's since I got my Abu Toro Beast 60, Tranx 400 and Lew's Super Duty Wide.

[Hytekrednek]

On 5/30/2022 at 4:12 PM, bulldog1935 said:

You can totally change their nature with the aftermarket parts made for them, shallow lightweight spools, improved spool bearings, lightweight ball-bearing LW parts, mag brake. 

 

 

I built this reel for braid and casting 1/2 oz, but setting up the mag brake, discovered it can cast 3 g and is totally backlash-proof.  It's also the best skipping reel I've ever used. 

NICE!  Tell me about that rod please. It reminds me of the old pistol grip shimano rod with aluminum reel seat, from the Bantam 100 days. I have a Bantam 100 of granddad's on that rod. Awesome pair made for each other.

[bulldog1935]

@Hytekrednek

The Smith Super Strike is copied from the old Fenwick Champion handle, but re-done in magnesium. 

Smith offers completed rod blades - tough to find stock, because they're popular in Japan. 

They also offer a collet so you can use old Fenwick blades in the handle, and offer butt ferrules in a diameter range so you can build your own rod blade. 

So far I only have the S-glass blend aimed for my 1/2-oz niche, but able to cast 5 g off the tip. 

As I mentioned, super skipping from my small water kayak. 

Best price I found on the handle was Amazon.jp.  Best prices on rod blades is Asian Portal, for what stock you can fish up.  They scalp both on ebay. 

 

Best reading up is Smith Ltd. website using Chrome to translate. 

[Hytekrednek]

That combo has CLASS! Thanks for the info

[Hytekrednek]

here are a few quick and dirty pics of the one I mentioned yours reminds me of. Took forever to find the rod.

[Hytekrednek]

Ive got an old 5500c, and 2 6500 that I use for large live bait fishing like catfishing, surf fishing, and such. Any use for bass fishing stopped 20 years ago for me as I like the low-pro reels and they are lighter. I do have an old steel blue 5500c that granddad left me. Looks like he didnt use it much at all. The build quality of this old reel is great. It just feels smooth and strong! Plus, it is very good looking.

when I was 12 or 13, I finally got a "real reel", a 5500C, silver 1991 or so. I put many miles on that thing, after I mastered picking out the backlashes... it was my first baitcaster. Sadly, it is on the bottom of the Black Warrior River now. Its been 20 years but it still hurts to have lost that reel. I do still have the box though.

[crypt]

I still use my 4600's for bombing big spinnerbaits, traps over grass flats.reel is a bit heavier and bigger than the low profile reels but it is bulletproof as all get out. reliable as anything I own. east to clean, modify,upgrade etc.love em.

[Hytekrednek]

I used one of my 6500c3 reels 2 years ago to winch in a 5' black tip shark on the beach. With that reel and a lightning rod flipping stick, using 40# braid, it was a challenge. The 6500 took it like a champ and asked for more.