Hi everyone,
I used a C3 5500 for almost 30 years for local inshore saltwater here in San Diego... until one day while catching calico bass in the kelp, Mr. FAT Yellowtail grabbed my fly-lined sardine :o I fought the fish for a couple minutes until it made a huge run into the kelp and basically destroyed my reel. The ant-reverse failed and needless to say, I lost the fish. A few anglers hooked up at the same time and only one guy landed his fish.. a 25-30lb yellowtail. Anyway, I really liked using that reel for smaller fish, so I am wondering: are the newer C3 Ambassadeurs with the Carbon drags able to land such a fish? Or, does the lack of cranking power relegate the reel to smaller species? ???
What's the biggest fish you have landed on your C3?? Did you upgrade the reel in any way? Looking forward to replies.
Have caught stripers to 20lbs on stock 6500C and seen a 30lb cobia caught from a pier- THAT was impressive. whether the reel was toast after I couldn't say.
20#-25# albacore on my C4s but they have a AR dogs, AR bearings and Carbonetx washers.
Caught a 5 foot black tip shark surf fishing at Cape Canaveral beach with a 6500 C3. 50lb braid with a 50lb mono shock leader. Took some time but it did the job.
Wow. Thanks guys!
There was a time when the cool thing was to catch tarpon and smoker kings on the 5000. A lot of fish were broken off, but I don't recall an AR failing. The 5000 had a dog instead of the roller bearing though.
I'm sorry you had a problem, but am glad to know it wasn't the C3 spool axel that failed. I think a spool axel is better than a spool shaft but can't figure out why everyone doesn't do it that way.
-steve
Quote from: oc1 on January 31, 2019, 08:18:58 AMThere was a time when the cool thing was to catch tarpon and smoker kings on the 5000. A lot of fish were broken off, but I don't recall an AR failing. The 5000 had a dog instead of the roller bearing though.
Wow, can't imagine that teeny-tiny 5000 drag not disintegrating on a big tarpon or king.
wow guys you have really nice records on those skinny abu reels
my best is a fat triggerfish of 5 or 6# on a 6500c3 ::) ::) and it was quite fight ;D ;D
Quote from: thorhammer on January 30, 2019, 10:02:30 PM
Have caught stripers to 20lbs on stock 6500C and seen a 30lb cobia caught from a pier- THAT was impressive. whether the reel was toast after I couldn't say.
This is crazy! Awesome, but crazy!
My best fish on my 5500 C3 was a 21lb lingcod...but a 21lb lingcod is nothing compared to a 21lb yellowtail !
Quote from: nelz on January 31, 2019, 01:52:11 PM
Quote from: oc1 on January 31, 2019, 08:18:58 AMThere was a time when the cool thing was to catch tarpon and smoker kings on the 5000. A lot of fish were broken off, but I don't recall an AR failing. The 5000 had a dog instead of the roller bearing though.
Wow, can't imagine that teeny-tiny 5000 drag not disintegrating on a big tarpon or king.
I've caught snook over 20# and tarpon to 35# on my 4500C's. Not a C3, I prefer not to have an instant anti reverse. From a yak, spool capacity wasn't an issue but I never thought the drag was "teeny-tiny".
I caught a 15Kg shark on my 5000, it has two drag dogs & CF drag washers, the shark took almost all the line on the first run 140 M, I landed him in about 20 minutes, I am still using it & it is operating real good, cheers Don.
I've beat a 5' blacktip from a pier with a custom 6500 built around a round bar ct frame and '83 guts, loaded w/17#bg + 50# shocker.
After a couple of strong runs and multiple jumps I was able to regain the 175yds he tried to steal, with some scrambling up and back down the pier (GSP).
Once whooped, both fish and myself, I cut the leader and watched him swim off lazily as I put rod back in the cart. Shortly after as the crowd dispersed, I though I heard a weird noise.
Quick investigation revealed the spool succumbed to the mono pressure, cracked and separated at the brake side before I could catch my breath and retie some lead to cast back out to reload line.
Fixed spool, but eventually replaced with NOS.
Never caught the name of that man in the gray suit to give him the bill. ;)
I got a 60# bat ray on my 5000. Only upgrade I had in it was CF drags. It still seems to be holding up ok!
Mike
Quote from: 0119 on February 01, 2019, 11:48:55 AMI've caught snook over 20# and tarpon to 35# on my 4500C's. Not a C3, I prefer not to have an instant anti reverse. From a yak, spool capacity wasn't an issue but I never thought the drag was "teeny-tiny".
I was referring to the drag on the old red 5000 Abu's, two very small disks.
Only 1 on my black 5000C
Like this? (It's a 5000)
Mine is a early 5000C.
I've caught freshwater stripers up to 35 lbs. and flathead catfish up to 50 lbs. on my 5000C and 5500C3 Ambassadeurs without and mechanical issues. Both have carbontex drags and AR dogs. The newer Ambassadeurs with IAR are mostly used for bass, walleye and northern pike fishing and have never been severely tested.
Tom
Quote from: tholmes on February 02, 2019, 05:31:57 PM
I've caught freshwater stripers up to 35 lbs. and flathead catfish up to 50 lbs. on my 5000C and 5500C3 Ambassadeurs without and mechanical issues. Both have carbontex drags and AR dogs. The newer Ambassadeurs with IAR are mostly used for bass, walleye and northern pike fishing and have never been severely tested.
Tom
Did you add a A/R dog to your 5500C3? I thought they were all IAR, did they used to be dog only in earlier models?
Quote from: Donnyboat on February 01, 2019, 03:58:06 PM
I caught a 15Kg shark on my 5000, it has two drag dogs & CF drag washers
Do you have pics of how you installed the 2nd dog on your abu?
I have a 6600C pretty sturdy on which I would like to add a 2nd dog.
I still working on how to add a dog to my abu 6500c3 and my newest addition, an Abu Record 60, it has a pretty strong IAR bearing but installing a backup dog would be golden, working on it too.
I want a C3 6500 for inshore fishing but I want it to be able to hold up to a bigger fish if I hook one. Or at least have a chance. I will search this site on how to beef up the anti reverse on these reels !
Quote from: nelz on February 02, 2019, 07:21:45 PM
Did you add a A/R dog to your 5500C3? I thought they were all IAR, did they used to be dog only in earlier models?
The older ones (mine is foot# 99 02) had the dog, newer ones had IAR bearings. I don't know when they made the switch.
Tom
We have had a member weigh in with actual weights, but I can say for certain plenty of old drum in 40-50lb class have come in by 6500 Abu's at the OBX. The CT Rockets, Blue Yonders, etc. are coveted.
Quote from: Mrc70 on February 03, 2019, 01:30:10 AM
I want a C3 6500 for inshore fishing but I want it to be able to hold up to a bigger fish if I hook one. Or at least have a chance. I will search this site on how to beef up the anti reverse on these reels !
The 5500 and 6500 Inshore Classics pop up on eBay every so often. They have stainless gears, 4" double paddle power handles, and a beefier frame than typical C3 and C4. I want to say the frame is chromed brass like those used in the Pro Rockets. I usually see them selling for ~$100 in nice shape.
Quote from: Mrc70 on February 03, 2019, 01:30:10 AM
I want a C3 6500 for inshore fishing but I want it to be able to hold up to a bigger fish if I hook one. Or at least have a chance. I will search this site on how to beef up the anti reverse on these reels !
Define a "big fish" in size and weight.
I just got an Abu record 60 and oh boy, you can feel the difference in the reel compared to the c3, it feels solid as rock, even the sideplates are thicker than the classic c3, seems like its no longer made but I think it worth the time and money to search for one, I dont know the limit of the reel but pretty sure it would hadle a nice sized fish better than the c3 model, maybe the drag is equal in both reels but abu record would have less or no flex with using max drag on a bigger fish
http://www.tackletour.com/reviewabugarciarecord.html
Living here in San Diego myself. I love fishing the local inshore areas myself for various species of fish. Having said that, I would have to say the local homeguard yellowtail living around kelp beds and other structures can get quite large and with that they are very powerful brutes when it comes to the challenge of conquering one and bringing it to gaff. So rather than risking the chance of destroying your cherished Abu reel after you have spent money trying to upgrade a reel designed for freshwater fishing. I would like to graciously suggest investing in a Penn Fathom star drag reel, possibly a size 12 or 15. Awesome reels for their size ! Hope this helps!
Jim
I agree, Jim. A decent size yellow is nothing to mess around with.. especially if the seals and kelp are around.. I will get an abu but only use it for bay/harbor fishing..
Good choice! The yellowtail you see in my avatar went 26lbs caught at box canyon off the coast of North San Diego county on a 700m Calstar with a Daiwa saltist 30 loaded with 50lb power pro and a short topshot of 30lb yozuri hybrid, even with that it was quite a challenge bringing it to gaff with a
sea lion next to the boat and other anglers pulling on their fish also. Tight lines too you!