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Poppadunn

I've used open face spinning reels for years and now I want to upgrade to a baitcaster. I see many of you using Ambassadeurs and I plan to follow your example but I'd like some advice on which model to buy. I'm looking at the model 5600CB, the 6600CB, the 5600C5 and the 6600C5. I'll probably match whatever reel I get to either a 10' Tsunami or, if I get a tax refund, I buy one of Nick rods from Breakaway. I dont compete in long distance casting or anything like that but I really like fishing the surf, piers and jetties. I'd be grateful if any of you would take a few minutes to give me your thoughts or recommendations on a baitcast reel, Ambassadeur or any other make you use.

Many thanks, Poppadunn

OSO YAKMAN · Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 7:21 pm Post subject:

I USE THE PENN JIGMASTER 500 LOADED WITH 30# BIG GAME. ONE IS ON A 10' TSUNAMI AND THE OTHER IS ON A 12' AMERICAN RODSMITH. BOTH THESE SETUPS WORK GREAT IN THE SURF AND CAN HANDLE MOST ANYTHING IN CASTING DISTANCE.
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Fish0157 · Flour Bluffian in training Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 278

I have one of the ambassadeurrs your talking about, and I love it.
There relatively inexpensive, and work great. I have 30# on it, and have caught anything from a little trout to a 38'' Big Ugly. Those reels are great, and reliable for any scenario. As far as rods, I have it on a Ugly stik. But the LDX's are awesome I have one on a Daiwa Sealine 20SHV, and love it. I havent got to use it to its limits but have caught some reds and its awesome.

Kevin

TITELINE · Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 8:33 pm Post subject:

Iv'e been using Abu Garcia ambassadeur reels just about all my life. Started out with a red 5000 and now use a 6500C. I load it with Cajun Red Cast 20lb. I've caught some very good fish on them. Very little backlash even in the wind if you set the spool friction right for the weight you are casting. I keep mine clean and use lite lube. Nice drag also for a 60 dollar reel. E-Bay has a ton of them in the 40-60 buck range. Good luck...

kweber · Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 8:39 pm Post subject:

cant go wrong with an Ambassedeur. 5500's make for good trout reels(200yds-12lb) and the 6500's about 200+ 15lb ( I think ) 7000 would be good on the 10 ft Tsunami 250+ @ 20 lb. have heard some complaints about the drag on larger fish but dont have that problem Sad

a big plus is that every reel repairman has bukets of parts. probably the most popular reel around. Kurt.

Tyler · Site Admin Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 12865

a 6500 on a ldx would be great. Just put 15lb big game on it or fireline for extra capacity. You will love it especially if you toss lures at jacks. The levelwind really helps. My bro in law got a 5'6" blacktip on my 10'6" with a 6500 on it. Great combo for jacks, bull reds and pomps.

crhfish · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 12:04 pm Post subject:

Most of the Tarpom lodges in Costa Rica use 6500's with 20# test. That reel , if cared for properly, will last a long time and it can handle some big fish.

Tyler · Site Admin Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 12865

You could actually go up to a 7000 series. I have a 7800 Abu on my 11 9 Breakaway and it is my favorite all around surf rod. A little big for slinging lures but will sure knock a jacks head sideways if you want to bring it in quickly. Great for Bull reds and sharks to 5.5 feet.

Tyler

Tarzan · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 12:41 pm Post subject:

I've got a 6500 CT Big Game that has been discontinued but you can still find some on ebay from time to time. I like it better than the Penn 525mag's. It's on a 10' Tsunami that I bought from Roy's for $75.00 and will cast out of sight. The reel was $146.00 two years ago and I have seen them go for $125.00 or so on ebay. Well worth the money and can be converted to a dial mag for tourney casting just like the blue yonders.
later,
Ernie

However, with 15lb big game I was spooled by a BIG Jack last year while fishing with Charlie Golla. I think he has a picture of my thumb after I tried to lock the spool up as it got to the critical point. LOL..

C.A. Golla · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:22 pm Post subject:

Hey Poppadunn,
You can't go wrong with an Abu for the price. Good all around workhorse in the surf. We use the 5500 with 12-15 lbs mono for lure fishing. Next in our lineup are a pair of 6500 C3's on 9' Tica's. These reels are spooled with 20 lbs Big Game and will send a Spoon'r well over the second bar. We also have a pair of 7000 C3's on the Breakaway 11'6. We use 25 lbs Big Game on the 7000's and you will loose sight of a 3oz Spoon'r on these rigs. I've landed several Tarpon on the 6500 Abu's and two years ago we caught and release a 90 lbs Blacktip on the 7000 C3.

Yes, there are alot of other race-horse reels out there and we also use some of them, but there is no better reel to learn baitcast on than the Abu.

With all the Abu's, you will need to carry an extra worm gear and two dawg paws. Change out the dawg paw the first time the level wind goes out. Change out the worm gear and dawg paw the next time it goes out. On average we change ours two times a year.

Tarzan,
I remember well the Jack that spooled you that day. As I recall, it didn't take you very long to get re-spooled and the next Jack was not as lucky.

C.A. Golla

Bluffer · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 9:23 pm Post subject:

Those are lists of many good surf reels, but for the flats or bay you cant beat a Shimano Curado.
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JESS · Finger Mullet Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 17

I HAVE GONE TO ABU REELS EXCLUSIVELY, I USED TO OWN SHIMANO 250,400 AND 700. WHEN THEY WERE STOLEN, I BOUGHT ABU'S. HAVE 2 6500, 4 7000C3, 2 7000 BIG GAME AND 2 10000 BIG GAME. I ALSO HAVE A MORUM WHICH I BOUGHT LAST YEAR. WITH PROPER MAINTENANCE,(CLEANING AND OILING) THEY ARE A GREAT REEL FOR THE PRICE........

osolonghorn · Horse Mullet Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 110

Poppadunn, for the price of the curado's i've seen you can buy 4-5 abu-garcias. I have 6 5500 cs's and have caught just about everything on them. This winter I caught a 39 and 42 inch red from the surf, and plenty of trout, Through in some smacks and pompano and it don't get any better than that. As with any reel used in the salt water a little maintance goes a long way. Good luck, longhorn

Willyrobt · Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 4

Poppadunn,
I have some reels for sale on ebay that I have customized by adding a mag unit. This allows complete control of your cast without birdnesting. The reels are ABU 6500CT Blue Yonder and 6500CT Chrome Rocket. They all cast very nicely. I also have a Penn 525 mag knobby, which is a very nice reel and casts a mile. It holds a little more line than my ABUs but they are both great reels. I also have three 5500s up for sale. They are also magged for better casting control. I like ABUs and Penns, but Daiwa 7HT and Shimano make nice reels also. Take a look and see what you like. Thanks for your time. Have a great day/week.
V/R
Bill Thomas