Ambassadeur C3 vs. C4??

[Whoaru99]

Looking at one of the Ambassadeur baitcasters for trolling use. All I can see is a difference in the number of bearings and the retrieve ratio; the C4 having one more bearing and faster retrieve.

For trolling, is there any particularly significant reason to choose one vs. the other?

Or, should I be considering a different reel altogether?

[92python]

I would get the C3. More power / torque and cheaper.

The C3s I have work very well for trolling and casting.

My 20 plus year old 5000s still work very well for trolling and I don't think they have any ball bearings.

[andy j]

I agree a C3 would be much better for trolling, The C4 gear ratio is to high for trolling.

[walleyewacker]

If it is only for trolling I would suggest looking at a line counter right away. I started with about four C-3/C-4s and I wish I would started with line counters.

[LocalGuide]

I use a C3 for trolling/casting. That reel works great for me. The only thing I like the C4 for is when I want to burn the lure across the water. Then I always find myself cranking really fast on the C3.

I also like the push button release, you get used to it after a while just like the thumb bar release. Thats just a horse a piece either way.

You cant go wrong with either reel IMO.

[Ed Carlson]

I like both but for trolling a Okuma Pro Series with 4:1 ratio would be a soid pick. You gain a reliable line counter and the capacity to troll leadcore. You can pick up a combo now for $69.99 at GM.

An Okuma high capacity reel and a 8' 6" E-Glass rod for $70 is purdy tough to beat Eh.

[walleyewacker]

I went with the diawa sealines for the drag. They are a little spendier but I guess it all depends how much you will use them. The 17s are perfect for a long line setup with fireline becuause they are not so bulky when you dont need the capacity. I have 47s for leadcore. I guess I have an old penn 320 for lead too.

[Whoaru99]

I like the thought of a line counter; but I really, really prefer the left-hand reels and have found LH line counter reels so far only in Cabela's Depthmaster Gold reels. The smallest lefty linecounter is roughly comparable to the Ambassadeur 6500/6501 in line capacity.

I already have a 7' Ugly Stick, longer would be nice, but that should work out OK, ya think?

Any word on these new Cabela line counter reels?

The listed line capacity of the 20 series Depthmaster is 280/14, 220/18, 220/20 while the 30 series is 460/18, 355/20, 275/25.

The 30 series sounds really big to me. Would it be a good idea to get the bigger size, or just stick with the 20 series?

Lead core sounds interesting, would it be necessary to get the larger reel if I wanted to experiment with lead core?

[walleyewacker]

I would go as small as you can get away with, I just personally do not like a huge reel if I dont need it. I have not used the cabelas, I think they are Diawa accudepths, correct me if I am wrong. You need as big as you can get for leadcore.

[Dan Brelje]

I am looking at getting an ambassadeur for a slop rod. Is this a good choice? If i do get one, will i need to go with a big one for the extra line capacity? Looking at using 30# test.