The Reel That Fish Don't Want You To Know About!
Written: Oct 16 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: All metal interior construction; large line capacity; price.
Cons: None. This reel performs like it should
The Bottom Line: This reel shows up ready to fish. It is old-school in both design and performance and equates to money well spent.
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| wadesam's Full Review: Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 6501C3 |
The Ambassadeur 6501C3 by Abu Garcia is a no-frills, no-nonsense, fish-slayer. Built for the long haul, this reel will catch thousands of fish and still outlast you and your kids.
The Selection Process
Choosing a reel is a nightmare when you simply listen to the manufacturer's claims about its product. You won't know what's truly important to consider, and you certainly won't learn anything about the product's shortcomings. I ended up in the market for a new baitcaster after my Shimano 401A broke. I got a brand new one and it broke too. So, I decided to give something else a try.
After doing a ton of reading about various reels and manufacturers, I wandered onto Ebay to see what was available there. There were plenty of reels from every different manufacturer, but I became interested in the Ambassadeur series when I started comparing prices. Used Ambassadeurs were selling for only about 20% less than the price of a new one. Why was that? In talking to various fisher-buddies of mine, the answer became quite clear: These reels work. And they don't just work; they work forever! I decided to give it a shot.
Line Capacity
The 6501C3 is a big-bodied reel which makes its optimal use a little more specialized. Bigger reels are bulkier and heavier which makes them less desirable for bass and trout fisherman. Inland salmon fisherman love them because they hold a sufficient amount of heavier line (the heavier the line, the less of it the reel holds). The 6501C3 holds 14/245, 17/190, and 20/155. These numbers indicate how many yards of a given line size fit on the reel. For example, this reel holds up to 190 yards of 17lb test. These numbers are excellent, but they do come at the price of weight.
Weight
The 6501C3 weighs in a 10.5 ounces, which may not feel like much, but after a full day on the water, it might be the only thing you feel. The 6501C3 is perhaps a little on the heavy side, but that is due to its large construction and the fact that its insides are virtually all metal--no plastic parts in the key areas.
Function
The handle on the 6501C3 is on the left side of the spool, making it a left-hand retrieve. Although some consider this to be a left-handed reel, the vast majority of right-handed fisherman prefer left-hand retrieve so they can cast with their right and not have to switch hands in order to start reeling. Call it whatever you want, but the 6501C3 is a very "right-handed friendly" reel.
The gear ratio is the very common 5.3:1, meaning the spool rotates 5.3 times for every turn of the handle. I've measured the line recovery and it comes in at just a hair over 23 inches. That means you'll recover 23 inches of line for every turn of the reel handle. 23 inches can be either good or bad depending on the type of fishing you're doing. For most salmon applications, 23 is great--you want to gobble up line whenever the fish will give it too you. If you wanted to fish crankbaits for bass, you might want a little lower gear ratio and shorter line recovery.
Ergonomics
The reel balances well, given its size, and the rubber, double paddle handle is perfect in both design and function. It fits my hand perfectly and my hand doesn't slip off--not even when wet, covered with fish slime, or coated in shrimp oil. At the end of the day, you can wash the handles clean and they're ready for next time.
Performance
Wow. This reel does just what it promises to do: Cast and reel smoothly and last a lifetime. Three bearings (2 ball and 1 roller) combine with a perfectly aligned spool to provide crisp casts without any shimmies or rattles. Friction is surprisingly low, allowing for long casts. The adjustable brake is responsive and helps you prevent backlash.
Durability
I've only had mine for about a year and have fished it about 15 times (I'm mainly a spinning reel kind of guy). It has fished flawlessly top to bottom. I recognize that a year is not a real solid benchmark by which to evaluate durability, but I think it's appropriate to look to the used reel market for other evidence. 15 and 20 year old Ambassadeurs still sell for nearly what a new reel costs. Based upon my experience, that is no accident.
Conclusion
If you need a reel of this size, this should be the one. Fishing has enough potential headaches, you don't need your gear to be part of your problems too. The Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 6501C3 is a titan. Worth the extra $20 you'll spend over its "bargain-priced" competitors. I give it my highest recommendation.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
wadesam
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Member: Wade Samuelson
Location: Centralia, Washington
Reviews written: 34
Trusted by: 34 members
About Me:
Where do you stand in the Valley of Decision?
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