My Abu Garcia "Ambassadeur" 6500-C3 is by far the pride of my fishing fleet. I love this reel.

Having fished only with spinning reels for my entire life, I was a little hesitant in purchasing the Abu 6500 C3. But I had a bit of cash spare, and I needed an all-purpous reel, designed for small to medium fish. Where I live (Perth, Australia), I fish alot for Bream and Mulloway, and I wanted a reel that could bully the big Mulloway's to the boat, while possessing a soft, light drag needed to catch the picky Swan River Bream. After much debating, I chose the Abu 6500 C3.

I bought a cheapish rod for the reel (big mistake) and went out that night for the Mulloway. I caught two small ones, then *pow* a big one started ripping off line. The reel performed flawlessly. The drag was instantly set into action, and the line release as the fish made the initial run was constant and smooth. Everything was going to plan until the fish kicked on it's second run, and my blasted rod broke!! ( Yes, yes, the line class was inside the rod's specs). Needless to say, I was ripe!! When I took it back to the dealer, I nearly shoved it somewhere he would not have liked! I was mad. I got my money back, and replaced the rod with an 'Ugly Stik'.

This new combination has lasted me six years now, and shows no sign of changing. My Abu 6500 C3 has caught hundreds of fish, ranging from Bream, Mulloway, Barramundi, Taylor, ever the occasional Shark, all without missing a beat. Lure casting is very easy with the Abu 6500 C3, even down around the 15g lures. The adjustable brake is magnifcent in slowing the lure at impact, and stopping the dreaded overrun. I think I have only had two or three overruns, and they were all when I first bought this reel.

Servicing the reel is a must. It is a quality piece of machinery, and needs a total reconstruction once a year. I once slipped on a rock, landed on my Abu 6500 C3 and bent the main drive shaft. I was distraught! A quick phonecall to the local Abu dealer, and my new shaft was in the mail on days. My baby was back on line in two weeks. The service available to customers of all Abu Garcia products is great.

One thing though, the current price shows this reel as around $70. I paid around $170 for mine ($258 Australian six years ago). Either prices have fallen heaps or we have draconian import taxes. Either way, I feel robbed!! Nahh, I still feel that I got a reel good deal on my Abu 6500 C3.








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