I just saw Ambassadeur left handed 6501 C4 reels on sale at G.I. Joes for $58. Regular price was $90. Is this a good reel?

I need a reel to go with a rod I inherited. It's a Kunnan Spiraltech 7686M 8'6" med action 8-20lb. It is a pretty beefy rod. I'm guessing it is a chum or king rod. I have not really fished for these so I'm out of my element.

Would this reel match up well with this rod for kings and chums in rivers? What line would you string it up with?

Thanks.

IMO, that's a hellofadeal!

Are you fishing from boat, or bank? The C4 can handle any King or Chum. Were it mine I would spool it with 50 lb. Power Pro.

I have a 6501-C3 and 6500-C3 (both like new) that I need to be getting sold to someone. Guess I oughta get off my arse and post them on the Classified board..

Mike

I'd be fishing from a drift boat.

Mike, if it were a 5501 I'd buy it, but I just have no use for a reel that big =) As far as pricewise goes, Olo, That is a good deal. Seem to be decent reels, but I for some reason don't think they are quite as durable as the c3's... I could be way off, it's just my personal experience =) I know there are a nice handful of guys that fish them especially on plug rods that might tell you otherwise =)

Tom

I have C-3 and C-4 in the 5500/6500-01 series. Use the smaller reel for steelhead and the larger for salmon. Good reels and the price you found is really good. The price is probably at or below cost for the store. Might be a return...?

i had a 6500 c3 and the reel was making a noise so i sent it back to them and the replaced it with a brand new one for free and the reel was 5 years old and i used it only in salt

bushbear, they are new in box reels, pretty good deal in my opinion. I am still fishing with the 6000 that I gave my dad for fathers day over 30 years ago. It has a few bumps and nicks, and I have sent it out a couple of times for a complete check up by a guys that know what they are doing, but it has worked flawlessly on everything from little silvers to a 40+lb halibut.

Do you guys like the left handed reels for this type of fishing. I'm right handed but have always used spinning reels so the left feels more comfortable.

The reason they are on sale is that ABU is discontinuing this model C-4 and replacing it with an updated model of C-4. They also have some of the gold Big Game reels on closeout.

Run from that reel as fast as you can. If your in love with the idea of owning an Ambassadeur then go on Ebay and buy a 15 year old reel. It'll last you longer then any new Ambassadeur. Or try craigslist.

vince

Vince has a point.. My c3 is like, 13 years old.. It's still ticking fine, with only a spring replaced in all that time.. Only lubed 3 times, and cleaned once, and I used it in salt for several years... bulletproof... =)

we have an old one and a new one on our plug rods and both are good, the new one is actually the hank parker bass series, and it is a great reel...well its not new like 4 years old

tbird why aint u working....or fishing

Work is slow.. I'm toying with going out here in a bit but I dunno...

the C4 is a good reel, but not my favorite for bigger fish. it's got a 6.3:1 gear ratio, which tends to put more strain on the gears on chums as well as be a little harder to crank. i've got one in the 4600 size for steelhead, definitely great for those fish, though.

i've never had an ambassadeur that was taken care of fall apart on me, old or new.

I love these Reals I have Five I think and if this Deal is true ill pick up a few more

For $59 you can't go too far wrong. I think these reels are now made in China like most everything else. Just a few years ago they were stamped made in Sweden. You might look for that before you purchase.

they are all still made in sweden, with possibly the exception of the 7000B(says assembled in sweden on it, probably with taiwanese parts). actually, all of the 4/5/6000 series all have the same internal design, with a few differences(some use bushings, others bearings, magnetic brakes etc)

We got some of the new models in a couple of weeks ago. They look pretty. Changed the spool design and dressed up the outside. Not sure about internal changes. I wouldn't hesitate on a new in box older model on sale.

I stopped by GIJoes and looked at the 6501 c4 on sale, looked good to me, said "made in Sweden" on the side, took 4 of them with me..........

The ones I got are the Big Game series, which I think may be just a different style handle, does anybody know exactly what the "Big Game" series designates ?

nothing really special, just had the power handle on them and an image of a fish on the sideplate.