Considering an Abu Garcia Ambassadeur

[Bazoo]

Twenty five years ago I bought new a round Abu Garcia Ambassadeur reel, and learned to use a baitcaster. I cannot remember the model number, but it was a narrower reel, and it had a thumb bar. I do not believe it to have been a 4600, though my internet searching shows this is an identical size. I've been researching the 4600, and Ambassadeurs in general. The reel I had was silver, with grey trim and handles. I want to say the number started with a 3, though I cannot find the exact model. It wasn't a higher than normal priced model at the time.

 

I don't need one as I have 3 baitcasters currently, but I am seriously considering getting one sometime (probably a 4600 as they are common on ebay). What rod does everyone like for their round reel Abus? I'm thinking 6'6" or maybe 7' medium medium as an all around rod. Mostly I'll be throwing spinnerbaits, some crankbaits and some topwater, probably a texas rig, but mostly spinnerbaits. I won't be throwing huge baits like glide baits or flipping/pitching with it. One thing I know, I want it to be cork and not rubber grips.

 

My current all around rod is a medium Abu Garcia Black Max, and I find it to be pretty good for most of my needs.

 

For whatever reason though I have the itch for one of the round reels, and I'm in the process of drooling over them, reading about them, and figuring what I'll want to go with it.

 

Thanks for reading, 

 

Bazoo

[TnRiver46]

Ironically this was what I caught today 

You can pair them with any rod depending on what kind of lures you are throwing. I have several but my collection pales in comparison to some here 

[Tennessee Boy]

30 years ago every baits casting reel I owned was a 4600.  They were great reels.  As for rods,  I really don’t like the notion of matching a rod to a reel.   That seems backwards to me.   I match the rod to the weight of the lures I plan on using with it and how I plan on fishing the lures.  Then I add an appropriate reel to the rod which is much easier since reels are more versatile than rods.   
 

Good luck.

[bulldog1935]

I like racing out the old ones, this '77 4500C set up for fishing 1/8 to 1/2 oz.  

Full ball-bearing LW race, and Avail internal mag brake set up casting 3 g (to 90')  

[redmeansdistortion]

Sounds to me that you had a Pro Max or Silver Max 3600.  Very cool reels; low reel foot so it palms well and a disengaging level wind.  The drag stack is near identical to the 4000 thru 6000 size Ambassadeurs save for the bottom washer which has a nylon gear in its place to drive the level wind.  The old round Max reels can be had cheap and are super easy to tune.

[Bazoo]

Thanks for the replies. I looked up both the Pro Max and Silver Max 3600 and it was neither of those. They are too smooth and blended on the left cap.

[redmeansdistortion]

Morrum 3600?  Those were new to the market at the time and retailed for about $250ish.

[Bazoo]

I recall this reel being around $110 new back then. I'm pretty sure I bought it from basspro mail order too.

 

This looks like it best I can remember https://www.ebay.com/itm/285492993999?hash=item4278b55fcf:g:69EAAOSwgYxlFN0C&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwHDET41SmucauAnbAyuwyw7Uts%2BN07%2FoEju1BN2xctMGw9te0sUVqIJaO58sMtW7ZtjBPBs8KJmEtP84aQDi13ppogfWy1fGtx8D9UcGN6rhDdzXsoDOaFAhfomFqB%2FvKhqxb1fSkcmZpbbiZsU%2FZBC3FjuPdauU4oviYK6%2F2qURWgHiy42zsht1mC0QOMKOASxA6yh8d0EGGdGHMzoMzarnoQosxRZcytSWHGmfpKIadNM3Jq5qm%2FsVozMeVcctrg%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR57nurbjYg

 

Perhaps I'm mistaken about the numbers.

[Eric 26]

@Bazoo Although not my money to spend I say buy it now. If you run into issues with it come back here and ask for help, you will get as many answers as you need here. Not to exclude any members on here but from mild to wild customizations check out @bulldog1935 and @redmeansdistortion‘s round reels and you’ll see what I mean. Best of luck.