Grumpy413 Posted December 10, 2006 Posted December 10, 2006 I do not see these reels any where other than Cabela's. I was wondering if anyone here has used one and would you recommend one over the 4600 c3. Hopefully the reel mach will post what he things of them also. Quote
Super User flechero Posted December 10, 2006 Super User Posted December 10, 2006 Grumpy, I have 2 of the C5's, both the 4600 size. I like them a lot, have fished them for a little over a year. I wouldn't recommend them for throwing real light lures but for general purpose reels they are nice. As far as C3 vs C5, not sure if I would recommend one over the other.... my only complaint is that when setting hook (I palm the reel) I always increase the magnetic setting... the slide is on the side. Quote
Guest DavidGreen Posted December 11, 2006 Posted December 11, 2006 Happy Holidays! Sorry Guys, But I don't remember ever seeing a C5 Garcia in my shop. As for the rest of their reels I think they build a great workhorse reel. Tight Lines!! Quote
Super User Alpster Posted December 11, 2006 Super User Posted December 11, 2006 Grumpy, I think ABU makes a great reliable reel. I have 3 now and have had several more over the years. They really are work horse reels and few can say anything bad about them. I haven't fished with the C5, but I haven't fished with an ABU reel that did not work as I expected. You can't go wrong with them. JMHO Ronnie Quote
Super User MALTESE FALCON Posted December 11, 2006 Super User Posted December 11, 2006 I'VE USED A C5 MAG-X FOR FIVE YEARS. AS FLECHERO SAID THEY AREN'T THE BEST FOR ANYTHING LIGHT, AND I WISH THE MAGNETIC SLIDE WAS IN A DIFFERENT LOCATION. OTHER THAN THESE MINOR ISSUES, I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THESE REELS. AS WITH ALL ABU GARCIA ROUND REELS, THE PRICE IS RIGHT AND THEY ARE TRUE WORKHORSES. THAT'S ALL I OWN. FALCON Quote
Super User MALTESE FALCON Posted December 11, 2006 Super User Posted December 11, 2006 I FORGOT TO ADD THIS. YES, I WOULD RECOMMEND PAYING THE EXTRA MONEY FOR RHE C5 OVER THE C3. MAINLY FOR THE MAG BRAKES. FALCON Quote
justfishin Posted December 13, 2006 Posted December 13, 2006 I am a big fan of 5501's. I have Curado's and use them for #10 and #12 line but, for anything higher I use C3's. They just do not quit. I have had all of mine for many years and with proper care they are just as good or maybe better than when I first got them. I have seen a lot of guys over the years buy every new fancy reel that came out, as did I once in a while, and they have gone back to the C3's. I have not used a C5 but, thought about giving the C4 a whirl. I asked ReelMech about the possibility of changing some gears and or modify the spool in order to gain some line pickup. A C3 picks up about 23" of line and I would like to get two or three of mine to move up to a 27"-28" pickup. I need to get the info to him. If anyone can do it, if it is even possible, he can, I am sure. Quote
Grumpy413 Posted December 14, 2006 Author Posted December 14, 2006 I have a few of the 4600 c3. I was going get a new one so I could send one of the older ones out to be serviced so I was looking at Cabelas and saw that this C5 mag was on sale for the same price as the C3. I too have tried several of the newer reels but i just seem to like my round reels. Hey reelmech is it possible for you to convert one of my C3s to the faster reel speed ? I guess i should call him rather than hope he reads this post. :-? Wow now you guys have this old mind of mine running I will have to do some research on this reel up grade thing. ;D Quote
Rose_Jackets67 Posted December 14, 2006 Posted December 14, 2006 Grumpy - I own a number of round Garcias, including a 4600c5mag that I use for crankbaits. I really, REALLY like this reel. I feel like I can get more distance out of the Mag equipped C4s and C5s by turning down the brakes and turning up the magnets, which is nice when I use them to throw #7 shad raps and weightless Senkos. For smoothness, I'd say the C5 is only incrementally better than a C4 (just as a C4 is only slightly better than a C3). In my experience, upgraded spool bearings are what really makes these reels shine, not the levelwind or idler gear bearing upgrades. Also, as far as gearing changes, gears interchange between any of the C-series Ambassadeurs. I sold a C3 that I had rebuilt to Fishbear, and at one point prior to selling it I had installed 6.2:1 gears in it, just to see if I could. It worked like a charm. I had a set of gears here already to try it with, but I'm sure Reelmech could source you a set no problem. As far as other upgrades, I have a set of Extreme Smoothie drag washers in one of my 4600s, and they play out drag much smoother than the stockers. I don't know if they are really neccessary, but I was curious and they only cost $7 or so. adam Quote
Guest DavidGreen Posted December 15, 2006 Posted December 15, 2006 Happy Holidays! You will have to let me know if the reels you want to upgrade are RH or LH reels... Tight Lines!!! Quote
Guest DavidGreen Posted December 15, 2006 Posted December 15, 2006 Happy Holidays! The C-3's run a 5.3:1 GR, the C-4's run a 6.3:1 GR. So around $25.00 to $30.00 per reel... To upgrade to the 6.3:1 GR for RH reels would be.. Drive Gear - $15.41 Pinion Gear - $10.17 For LH reels. Drive Gear - $19.30 Pinion Gear - $10.17 Hope this helps. Tight Lines!!! Quote
Madhouse27 Posted December 19, 2006 Posted December 19, 2006 Overall I've been very happy with my C-5 Mag-X 4600. I'm not sure what they're going for now but I paid around $70 for mine and think its certainly one of the better reels within that price range. I'll agree with flechero and maltese about the placement of the adjustment slide, it definately could have been better placed or made harder to change the setting. In person the Mag-X is a pretty good looking round reel as well. Quote
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