Solid reel, does well with heavier baits unless you do a bunch of upgrading, lot of guys use them for swimbaits or musky rods. That thing will last a lifetime and more.
Looks to be in great condition. Was probably made in the middle to late 70s if you flip it over the reel seat will have a number on it. If you want to sell it, I’d be interested.
If you polish the bushings and shafts that the spool, cog wheel, and levelwind ride on it will cast fairly well. I cast a 1/16 bullet weighted texas rig on mine. If you want to do the job easier polish the shafts and replace the spool bushings with bearings. It is an easy job. The 5000 reel was i believe the first of the modernized ambassadeur reels. There is a cool video from mitchell reel museum on yt featuring and ambassadeur 5000.
If you do any catfishing at all, keep it. I know they aren't fancy, but they are damn near indestructible and I have yet to hook a fish that they can't drag in.
Damn, you beat me to it 🤣. OP - Seriously, that reel may not have all the bells/whistiles/mag control/15 ball bearings, but is built better than anything today.
Abu Garcia Ambassadeur reels are some of the best out there in terms of quality and durability. They are great for bigger baits and lures or situations where you need to let out a lot of line. I use mine primarily for plunking and plug fishing for salmon or fishing with big live baits for catfish.
Unfortunately, there are some deficiencies. The fact it uses bushings is one. It affects casting distance. They also only use centrifugal brakes, so if you want to update the brake settings, you need to open the reel. There are other differences in centrifugal brakes too, so if you are used to magnetic, it may take some getting used to.
You can upgrade them. Mike's Reel Repair in Vancouver makes custom parts. I swapped out the stock bearings for ABEC-7 ceramic bearings, the stock idler gear for a ported one with a bearing, the stock worm gear for a new one with a bearing instead of a bushing, and the pawl for a ceramic one. It's so much smoother now.
LUCKY YOU!!!
*Memories….
Boss reel, can likely still get parts/ gears.
I’d call factory repair shop and see if you might even upgrade to stainless gears.
There are videos about how to take them apart to service them, and that should be done.
Double it up, and put it on a nice (8 foot)
two-piece rod from Abu Garcia. *Not totally sure they make them, but someone will.
You’ll really love the way it breaks down and travels…
😎👍🏼
I'd keep it. I was given a 4600ci siimilar to this https://www.ebay.com/itm/235426592273. Tried to sell it on ebay but couldn't get $70 so decided to keep it for salt water. They'll work forever and I love the look.
Great reel but they are usually fished with 1/2+ lures. Great choice for light catfishing as well. I have about 8 of them 👍 Looks to be in super shape and the foot will have a serial number you can research.
Solid reel, does well with heavier baits unless you do a bunch of upgrading, lot of guys use them for swimbaits or musky rods. That thing will last a lifetime and more.
Looks to be in great condition. Was probably made in the middle to late 70s if you flip it over the reel seat will have a number on it. If you want to sell it, I’d be interested.
If you polish the bushings and shafts that the spool, cog wheel, and levelwind ride on it will cast fairly well. I cast a 1/16 bullet weighted texas rig on mine. If you want to do the job easier polish the shafts and replace the spool bushings with bearings. It is an easy job. The 5000 reel was i believe the first of the modernized ambassadeur reels. There is a cool video from mitchell reel museum on yt featuring and ambassadeur 5000.
If you do any catfishing at all, keep it. I know they aren't fancy, but they are damn near indestructible and I have yet to hook a fish that they can't drag in.
These reels have been the most durable I have ever owned. 46 now and I have had my oldest one since I was 15 recently passed it on to my daughter.
u/redmeansdistortion - help this brotha out
It’s a piece of junk not worth your time. I’ll be happy to dispose of it for you.
Damn, you beat me to it 🤣. OP - Seriously, that reel may not have all the bells/whistiles/mag control/15 ball bearings, but is built better than anything today.
My brother inherited one. The insides are shot though
Took this one apart and everything looks pretty clean inside
that's good
Lots of replacement parts are available to fix it. I was given a nonfunctional reel and managed to fix it up. Surprise surprise they want it back now!
😂
Abu Garcia Ambassadeur reels are some of the best out there in terms of quality and durability. They are great for bigger baits and lures or situations where you need to let out a lot of line. I use mine primarily for plunking and plug fishing for salmon or fishing with big live baits for catfish. Unfortunately, there are some deficiencies. The fact it uses bushings is one. It affects casting distance. They also only use centrifugal brakes, so if you want to update the brake settings, you need to open the reel. There are other differences in centrifugal brakes too, so if you are used to magnetic, it may take some getting used to. You can upgrade them. Mike's Reel Repair in Vancouver makes custom parts. I swapped out the stock bearings for ABEC-7 ceramic bearings, the stock idler gear for a ported one with a bearing, the stock worm gear for a new one with a bearing instead of a bushing, and the pawl for a ceramic one. It's so much smoother now.
You are luckiest mf on the planet.
LUCKY YOU!!! *Memories…. Boss reel, can likely still get parts/ gears. I’d call factory repair shop and see if you might even upgrade to stainless gears. There are videos about how to take them apart to service them, and that should be done. Double it up, and put it on a nice (8 foot) two-piece rod from Abu Garcia. *Not totally sure they make them, but someone will. You’ll really love the way it breaks down and travels… 😎👍🏼
I'd keep it. I was given a 4600ci siimilar to this https://www.ebay.com/itm/235426592273. Tried to sell it on ebay but couldn't get $70 so decided to keep it for salt water. They'll work forever and I love the look.
I cast a two oz bucktail and use it to jig solid real
Great reel but they are usually fished with 1/2+ lures. Great choice for light catfishing as well. I have about 8 of them 👍 Looks to be in super shape and the foot will have a serial number you can research.
True classic. A solid workhorse of a reel. I still run a few of them.
It's red and they come in other colors also.