Overview
Offering upgraded performance and styling, merged with proven strength and engineering, the Abu Garcia Ambassadeur C3 6500 Casting Reels are some of the best-selling casting reels of all time. Extremely durable, they can take a beating and still deliver the ultra smooth performance anglers expect. The secret is in the simplicity of their design. The four stainless steel bearing system (3+1) ensures fluid casts and retrieves, and the Carbon Matrix Drag System delivers the consistent power necessary to tame hard fighting fish. The Six Pin Centrifugal Braking System combined with the Synchronized Levelwind System also improves line lay and helps reduce the occurrence of blacklashes. A classic reel that just keeps getting better, the new Abu Garcia Ambassadeur C3 6500 Casting Reels delivers proven performance you just can’t duplicate.
Features:
-Advanced Carbon Matrix Drag System
-Three Stainless Steel Ball Bearings + 1 Roller Bearing
-Compact Bent Handle and Drag Star
-Six Pin Centrifugal Brake System
-Synchronized Levelwind System
-Made in Sweden
Previous Feedback
Comments: I'm 50 now and have been using these reels since I was a teenager back in the 80's. Growing up on Cape Cod where we have world class strippers and a large concentration of largemouth and smallmouth bass, this real has been the most diverse and reliable in most conditions. Essentially all conditions except long casting with big surf plugs. My son is going to be nine years old this spring and I will get him an Abu Garcia 5500, all good fishermen's must start with a round-reel and then develop their skills from there. Once he can skip a jig under a tree with a round-reel then he will graduate to an Evo modern bait casting reel. Durable reel, super reliable, and a great drag system for cow strippers.
From: Unknown: 3/5/23
Comments: This a great Ms Slammer reel loaded with braid. A power handle upgrade will give you handling of reels 3x the cost. Excellent drag too.
From: Bigpoppabass: Nashua, NH 8/19/17
Comments: My 5501C3 is the most durable reel I˙ve ever had and has outlasted ever other reel I've ever purchased. They are well made and in my opinion easy to work on. I purchased my 5501C3 back in the late 90s (20 years ago) for river salmon-steelhead fishing in the PNW. Needed a reel with a large line capacity for long runs. No doubt there are better reels for casting small lighter lures, but this one has served me well casting spoons and has recently found a new home casting swimbaits. This thing casts swimbaits with ease, has great line capacity and the lower gear ratio is great for crawling along the bottom.
From: Jim: Bellingham , WA 8/16/17
Comments: (5500) this reel is a bulldog! 65 pound braid, slow rolling a 3/4 oz jig on bottom. feels great in hand, solid, smooth reeling, casts great.
From: TN 3/8/17
Comments: this reel is a beast, I have caught striper, carp, and largemouth on this reel & it hasn't had any problems. It also has gone for a swim twice now & I haven't had any problems. I fish on the delta every day & this reel holds up great. The only thing I dislike is the slow retrieve I would like it better if it was a 6.4:1. But the standard gear ratio is fine for what I use it for.
From: Trevor: Discovery Bay, CA11/29/15
Comments: This reel defines the word "workhorse". Perfect gear ratio and line capacity for swimbaits. I was going through a shimano per year prior to reuniting with this old school classic. You can upgrade these things as you go if you want to add more bearings and trick it out. If your considering someone elses low end to get in the game go with this instead as the reliablity will serve you well.
From: J: USA 4/7/14
Comments: The 6500c3 is one of the best reels for cat fishing or swim baits on the market. The price of these reels though keep going up and up and up. it's sad really. 3 years ago it was $89.99 then $99.99 now $120-$130. Other than the handle being to short and the price going up I think this reel will stay around for another 20 years or so.
From: James: Wichita Falls, TX 3/23/14
Comments: Smooth reel i guess, but it's kinda awkward if you plan on casting it. The cast button should be on the opposite side of the reel
From: Bo: Detroit, MI 2/26/14
Comments: I have one of these reels for a few years now and love it! I use it specially for swimbaits but I throw jigs and other baits too. Caught some nice fish with it. It's the best reel I ever had. Feels very solid and strong. It's a simple reel, so, there's less chances for problems! If you want a strong solid reel with a good price, capable of landing many trophies and throwing big lures for many years without problems this is your reel!I've heard about people who have Ambassadeurs for decades and they still work!
From: Marco: Portugal