abu garcia baitcasters

[Big_D]

i am going to buy a new abu garcia baitcaster this year for northern fishing and i was wondering what is the difference between the c3 c4 and c5 series. they are very close in price and i was wondering what the big difference is between the 3. i am thinking about buying the c5 since it is only 15 more dollers than the c3.

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Big D

[RuKiddingMe]

Big_D the difference between the C3 and C4 is how it's geared, the C3 has 5.3:1 gear ratio and the C4 has 6.3:1 gear ratio, so in other words the C3 is good for working slow cranks and the C4 is good for fast spinner bait and bucktail retreive. As for the C5 it has the same gear ratio as the C3, but it addeds a magnetic breaking feature to reduce over runs and also features 5 bearing for smoother performance. Hope this helps.

Matt

[Steve Foss]

I'd definitely go with the 4 or 5. The faster ratio is nice when you want to burn a bait as fast as you can to trigger a fish. Plus, fast ratio won't hurt you because you can always slow your retrieve down be reeling slower, after all.

Slower ratio translates to more reeling power, but most of up pump up our fish and reel back down to it anyway, so that kind of cranking power isn't a big deal.

Can't go wrong with the Ambassadeurs. Best reels for the money I've ever used.

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"Worry less, fish more."
Steve Foss
[email protected]

[CMWINTER]

I have a c3 and 2 c4 and love them both. If I had to get one I would say the c4.

[chief]

Big D,

Regardless of which model you buy, you absolutely can't go wrong with an Ambassadeur. I own, use, and abuse,several that are over 12 years old and I've yet to experience ANY lost fishing time due to failure.

The numerals in the model names refer to the number of ball bearings found in the reels. Theoretically, more ball bearings equal tighter gear alignment, and, therefore, less wear and tear in the cranking process, and smoother operation. More ball bearings equal more money, and the good folks at ABU/Berkley/Johnson/Fenwick seem to charge 12 to 15 dollars for each additional one.

I own each version of these reels, and I agree that the C4 is your best all around choice. It's additional speed will help you in more situations than not--and it's still a great value. The C5 is a fine reel, but the placement of the additional magnetic brake on the palming side of the reel is annoying. In regular use you find your hand is constantly decreasing/increasing the settings. I eventually taped it down in postion.

Finally, If you plan on using superbraids (and you probably should), consider buying the C4 4600 and pairing it with a 6.5 foot medium heavy stick. The increased line capacity experienced with thin superbraids lets you downsize to lighter, more comfortable, less fatiguing combos. The losses in casting distance and retrieve rate will be minimal, and you'll have a very versatile setup appropriate for all but true monster fisheries.

[Big_D]

I have another question. What would you use the c4 for rather than the c5? I really dont get the whole gear ratio thing. Thanks.

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Big D

[troutsy]

I just purchased a Abu Garcia Eon 6600. Would this be a good reel for musky?

[chief]

Big D,

Gear ratio is simply the relationship between the number of revolutions a reel's spool makes as a result of one single, complete turn of its handle. Take the 4600C3, for example. If you position the handle straight up and down (that is, vertical with the handle's knobs at the 12 and 6 positions)
and turn it one complete revolution, so it returns to it's original start position, the spool would have revolved 5.3 times. Hence, this reel has a retrieve ratio of 5.3:1. The 4600C4's spool would have revolved 6.3 times with a single, complete turn of its handle.

Slower retrieve ratios do have some genuine hardware durability benefits IF,IF you frequently use muskie-sized crankbaits. The lower gearing makes it easier on these reels to power baits back to the boat against significant water resistance.

Fast retrieve reels are great in situations where you want to move spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, rattl traps, etc., quickly. They also shine in applications in which you're using the rod to move your lure, and, therefore, need to quickly pick up slack. Examples of this might include twitching topwaters, flipping, pitching, etc.

Truth be told, unless you truly, honestly plan to frequently fish BIG crankbaits, you should probably buy the C4 instead of the C3, as the faster reel is more versatile. And, of course, you can also crank more slowly when needed.

Finally, casting distance and retrieve speed of any reel are only optimized when using the maximum amount of line. GOOD LUCK.

[chief]

Troutsy,

The first production runs of all EON models were plagued by defects to their gear arrangements. To be fair, ABU was trying something radically new, and they didn't get it right the first time. Second generations of EONS have a small but extremely loyal following. The 6600 model was released fairly recently so it should be defect-free, and should be a great reel for muskies. Note, however, that if you take advantage of rebates, you can buy 2 6500c reels for about the same as one EON. Hmmmmmmmm?

[Big_D]

Chief I looked on Cabelas and the C4 reel has a 3.8:1 ratio not a 6.3:1. Is it still a better reel?

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Big D

[chief]

Big D,

The 4600 C5 is rated at 5.3:1
The 4600 C4 is rated at 6.3:1
The 4600 C3 is rated at 5.3:1

I still think the 4600 C4 is a wise first choice. Note, too, that you'll save $20.00 on a Cabela's Tourney Trail rod if you buy any C3, C4, or C5.

[bgfish00]

I just got a setup with the Ambassadeur 6000B. Is that an older model because I have not seen it around. Just gettng into Muskie fishing this year. Is this going to be suitable, or did I get taken...

[Guest]

Hi BigFish00,
Back in the early '80's, I bought the Abu Garcia 6000 reel, red colored. I bought it for big northerns, catfish and carp on the MN river. Good reel. I believe it may have sleeve bearings rather than ball bearings.

I have two 6500 C3's. I use all three set ups for muskie fishing. C3's are more smoother casting, but the 6000 works just fine after nearly 20 years. Good idea to oil it now and then.

Chief, you say you liked the C5? better than the C3? Do you feel it's worth the extra $20? I don't palm the reel while retreiving. Junking about another set up.

[chief]

Robert,

If palming is not an issue for you, then, yes, I think the C5 series is a great choice. I have a solid year in with both a 4600 and 5600, and they've been like all my other ABU's.....reliable, smooth, and tough. I use my 5600 as my primary bucktail/crankbait muskie reel.

[Down to Earth]

Last year in my first year I bought a C4 and a C5. Though the C4 has a home on my jerkbait rod, I absolutely love the C5 reel. It is really smooth and I really like the thumb cast feature. I loved it so much I bought another one this year.

Andy

[Guest]

Big D,

It looks like the jury is in.
Garcia reels, thumbs up!
I have six of them (4- 4600) just love them.
Use mine mostly for Bass although I have two for Pike and Muskie.