Ambassadeur Reels
Dec 1, 2019 17:21:09 #
BottomCoon and Redmeansdistortion have gotten my interest piqued in modifying and building an Ambassadeur reel. I've posted on here a few times before that I'm looking for a small baitcaster to go after surf perch. After all the research I've done, if I was just going to go buy one and money was not object I would probably go get the 5500 pro rocket or the blue yonder. but first a couple questions. other than 50 dollars, what's the difference between those two reels? Can I purchase a new or used C3 and then buy parts to upgrade it to a rocket or blue yonder? And what about the 4500? Can it be modified like that to improve its performance? Lots of questions. Who's got answers?
Dec 1, 2019 21:05:04 #
bottomcoon
Loc: Tahlequah, oklahoma
Other than replacing the drag washers with carbon fiber there's not much more that'll make a big difference in an exceptional reel. I'd first degrease the unit & replace the lube & grease with high quality synthetic lube. I've replaced the factory bearings in some ambassadors with the new ceramic bearings & actually prefer the factory bearings. I think the ceramic are harder to adjust on those reels & can get the spool traveling too fast. That's just my opinion. If you're surf fishing you may want a reel with more line capacity than a 4500. Good luck in your search. Go on you tube for other ideas for slicking up an ambassador. All I can say is the slicker you make it the better your thumb's got to be.
Dec 1, 2019 21:20:23 #
Thanks bc. that's the kind of information I'm looking for. So on Amazon it says the 4601 comes with "carbon matrix" drag system. Is that different from what you mentioned, carbon fiber? And you're saying the c3 right out of the box is an "exceptional reel"? I don't need a lot of line because those surf perch pretty much hang out right where their name implies - right in the surf. 30 or 40 yard casts are generally more than acceptable, and they're often caught right up in the foam. Then they don't run much over a couple of pounds. They're good fighters and a ton of fun on light tackle. I'm thinking I'm gonna get that 4601 c3 for a guy I know for Christmas this year. He's been a pretty nice boy this year.
Dec 1, 2019 21:40:57 #
bottomcoon
Loc: Tahlequah, oklahoma
That good boy business is only your opinion. But since you've behaved yourself fairly well on the forum I'd say go fo it. Yes, carbon fiber & matrix will do the trick. If you feel you need just a few more yards distance you can remove 2 of the 4 brakes. That'll give you a little distance as it reduces the tension on the spool. Only thing, you better keep your thumb ready to stop the spool. I've played that trick a lot & it'll sure teach you how to cast a baitcaster. Sounds like you're heading into some fun. Make yourself some memories.
Dec 1, 2019 22:29:54 #
is there anything I can do to beef it up against the salt and sand, other than clean it real well after playing with it? And what would I look for as far as a "high quality" synthetic lube? And what would I use to degrease it? Acetone? Alcohol?
Dec 2, 2019 02:42:40 #
bottomcoon
Loc: Tahlequah, oklahoma
I like the 91% alcohol. No acetone. Lucas oil makes the grease & oil I like. A well stocked auto supply store should have what you need. Coat the inside of the covers with a layer of grease, that will help. Again, go to you tube for a video on protecting against salt. There is no salt water in my neck of the woods. You're the one that's going to have all the fun. Good luck.
Dec 2, 2019 11:24:17 #
Dec 2, 2019 11:24:55 #
Dec 2, 2019 12:16:39 #
bottomcoon
Loc: Tahlequah, oklahoma
I'm on that machine that bends it. I'm up to 105 degrees. 120 is the goal. I'm on this thing 6 hours a day & I increase the degree of bend by 5 degrees each day. I also must do selected exercises one of which is raising my leg up. The back of my knee & thigh are black & blue from bruising & it's really painful to raise up that leg. But, it'll feel really good when it quits hurting. All in all the key is to stay medicated to help control the pain & never slack off on the therapy. I'm doing that.
Dec 2, 2019 12:43:55 #
FYI: the 4601 is a Left-handed reel. The 4600 is a right-handed reel. At one time or another left-handed reels were much less common. Today there are numerous models available.
Dec 2, 2019 12:57:17 #
MuskyHunter
Loc: Torrington, CT
bottomcoon wrote:
Other than replacing the drag washers with carbon ... (show quote)
There are all sorts of upgrades you can make to a 4600 reel. You can add ceramic hybrid bearings (which add noise, but increase smoothness), bearings on the cog wheel (some call the idler) and bearings on the cog wheel drive (some call the spool gear). You can also add bearings on both ends of the level wind worm gear. After you do all this, you will have a reel that is pure silk. I have done all of these and love my reels with these upgrades!
I am guessing some of these upgrades are available for the other reels you mentioned as well, but I have direct experience with the 4600s. I love the 4600 style reels, mainly for their light weight and have some that have had heavy use for 30 years. They will last forever if you care for them.
And yes, as the poster I am quoting stated, if you do all these, you better be skilled with a bait casting reel.
Here are some links for you:
https://www.dadsoletackle.com/reel-tuning-upgrade-kits/abu-garcia/
https://www.mikesreelrepair.com/reel-tuning-upgrades/
Dec 2, 2019 12:58:28 #
Thanks. Yeah I know that. I'm not left handed but I don't like transferring the rod to my left hand to crank. Been using spinning reels my whole life. So I've been looking for the left handed version.
Dec 2, 2019 22:34:46 #
DeeJay
Loc: Southwest Virginia
Use Marvel MYSTERY Oil to clean any reel disolves all grease & oil( maybe not synthetic). Use a high quality lube after cleaningon all gears and bearings and any moving part. A light coat of oil on the test of the inside of the reel. The MM oil with q-tips and tooth brush is the best combination system I have found. It floats all grit and dirt loose,especially if you soak the plate with all the moving parts in a small bowl. Rinse with denatured alcohol or 91% alcohol. I started using The C3 series of reels in the 70's. I still have and use all all the reels i ha e bought, plus some used rells that i bought at yard sales or flea markets. The only thing i replaced is a pall on TV he worm gear. All of them still work, and still smooth. Buy the MMOil at Wal-mart, $5-6 a qt. I never used any replacement bearings, i never had any problems that i needed to. Good luck.
Dec 2, 2019 23:54:05 #
Dec 3, 2019 00:30:00 #
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