The chain of failure on an ambassadeur

[nelz]

The musky guys can have this bigger is better mindset when it comes to throwing plugs, so casting and winding humongous plugs over and over is the definitive load test for that fishery since Musky and pike do not pull that hard/far, and not for long. I could see smaller softer gear teeth being worn faster from winding in this scenario.

Interesting that the Shimano Calcutta Conquest with its "Micro Module" gears is a favored reel of the musky guys. Probably the original Calcutta TE was better suited.

[Lunker Larry]

Jurelometer is right. For musky fishing the fish haven't changed, it's the Baits. It's the size and or drag caused by the Baits that made fishers move on from the older Abu style. Even though 1970s reels are lower gear ratios they did not stand up even to the double blade baits. Very rare to see a 6500 or 7000 now (7000i is junk btw). Saw some 7000s where the spool bushing was worn to an oval.
They are good for lightweight applications like glide or jerk baits if fishing muskie.