tried my new baitcaster reel

[TrackerG]

Well I finally did it...got an Abu Garcia Ammbassadeur reel. Sppoled her up with some 12# Berkely Trilene, put a weight on her, set the tension, and took her out in the street to try it out.....man that thing casts a long way!!!!  Love it....

for the first 4 casts......then I forgot to keep my thumb down!!!   dang it!!!   worst birds nest Ive ever seen!!   First I cussed...then I laughed.......It was so bad I had to unwind and cut the whole spool off!!!  Hopefully I have learned...and better to learn that lesson on the street instead of on the water. But I appreciate all the advice I've read on here...and I will persevere in this endeavor!!!!   LOL

[b.Lee]

Which reel did you buy? Glad you like it, I have used Ambassadeurs for as long as I can remember. I recently bought a few shimano's which are good also

[TrackerG]

I bought the 5600BCX...not the best model but they make I'm sure, but it seems smooth, and it was about $60. My neighbor recommended it. He has one 20 yrs old that he still uses....

[Steve1357]

Tracker, the only thing I've read negative about it is the spool. A $50 replacement spool for a $60 reel might be a bit much. Be careful breaking off line or putting a lot of pull on the spool.

I have the older 5000s, fill it half full with some braid or dacron and then load it up with 100yds of whatever you like. Save on cutting it all off...

[TrackerG]

Well we are going to try the new reel tomorrow. I think im going to try a suggestion I read on here. let out a little more line than I can cast and put tape over the spool so it wont all unravel. I'll let you know how it goes!!

[mctech]

if your like the rest of us thats the frist backlash of many many more to come ;D ;D ;D

[Crestliner2008]

Great series of BC reels. I've owned Abu's for 40 years! I have a 5000, 5500C, 5600 & 6500C. I love the spool play adjustment, which lessens the chance of over-runs.

What I would do in your shoes is to make as long a cast as you can. Then pull out about another 10 yards of line. Place a strip of electrician's plastic tape across the spool (in any spot), then wind in your line.

This will minimize the effects of over-runs, until your thumb becomes "trained". 

[TrackerG]

So trial run on the water...cast out as far as I could then let some more line out trolling. put a piece of masking tape on the reel. Worked great. i got the tension set just right and it cast out further than the tape i put on...pretty smooth action...didnt catch any fish on that setup, but we did limit out on rainbows..couldnt get any bass to bite, but it was a good day!!

[TrackerG]

I have to agree with ya mctech.....did okay Saturday...tried it out again Sunday.....and made the fatal mistake of trying to reach out there a little further. cast too hard and backlashed. It wouldnt come out easy so I put er down grabbed old reliable spinning rod and caught some fish!!!   LOL  I will not give up. but Im not wasting valuable time on the water untangling a reel. At least its only tangled back to the tape I put on......

[ChiCityBasser]

It's just a matter of practice and also a good line pick when u do backlash. I have 3 baitcast setups and I've been spending an hour or so just casting it at the lake to get used to using my thumb. Last time out using a swim jig I caught a couple and no backlashes.

Good luck

[iceintheveins]

So does your reel have a 6 pin centrifugal break?

[TrackerG]

not sure on the brake...Ive been researching. Have found schematics for about 4000 other reels but not that one!!! 

[gotarheelz14]

I have the C4 and C3 versions. I think I like the C4 better but the C3 is just as good. I use the C3 for cranks and others. C4 for spinners and soft plastics.

Great reels. Absolutely fantastic. I can't recommend them enough. I used to fear using baitcasters and have learned on these in a matter of hours.

SICK REELS!!!

[Steve1357]

5600BCX schematic

http://www.mikesreelrepair.com/schematics/displayimage.php?album=27&pos=383

6 pin centrifugal brake, have you checked how many of any are on?

I use Ambassadeurs most of the time, I like my spool tension just so the lure will not drop.

[TrackerG]

thanks Steve..I might tear into it tonite....see what makes it tick.....I haven't found a list for all those part #'s yet....