Have any of you used the Ambassadeur CS Mag X? It retails for around $99-$109. I'm also interested in hearing if any of you have tried the new Ambassadeur EON which retails for about $109.

I'm looking to buy my first bait caster and these are right in my price range.

Thanks in advance.

When I returned to bass fishing some 10 years ago, I thought Abu Gracia were the finest reels I could buy and I wanted what I thought were the best. Boy, was I wrong. I bought both top of the line Abu Garcia bait casters and spinning reels. How disapointed I was in their performance. Line twists line you would not believe with the spinning reels, screws fell out of the baitcasters, etc.

I have found happpiness with Diawa reels. They have never failed me and with minimal service, have provided years of good service. The "Twist buster" feature of the spinning reels is excellent.

There are several models of Daiwa reels in your price range, and I know you will be satisfied with their performance.

Fred

I agree with Fred, ABU Garcia used to be good reels but over the past few years there quality has gone down hill. I have found Shimano to be the perfect for the fishing that I do. The reels are smoother, less line twist, and better drag systems. But it's personnel preference to the brand you choose. Put them side by side and see for yourself and then make the decision.

First baitcaster? What are you planning on doing with it? Lots of room for plenty of discussion on makes and models and speeds and feeds. I use Calcutta's a lot but my Lews get a BUNCH of abuse and I have only had one of my five die in ten years of fishing and even it isn't really dead. Stay away from Quantum,Abu,and cheap! and if you can't afford the big buck stuff,then keep saving as those reels will make you happier for a longer time...My .02...Then of course theres the rod! ever notice that it might just be tackle that makes the differance between angling and fishing? Thats why 10% of the fishermen catch 90% of the fish. However one must make allowences for the clueless bigbucks guy who looks good while he's throwing cranks into 70 feet of water.

The abu's (Sweedish made) baitcasters like the C3, C4, Tourney Pros etc. are decent reels. No, they are not as smooth or as easy to learn with as the better shimanos, but they are solidly built. Stay away from the Eon! It is a lemon. For a beginner like yourself though, I would reccomend a Shimano Citica 2BB($85-90) or if your willing to spend a little more, the Curado 5BB($120-125) is the gold standard. these reels are not only good to learn with, they are great reels period. Especially the curado. I think it's better to start off with a great reel so that there is no reason to upgrade later. I love Diawa spinners but have no experience with their casters. Good luck and remember that back lashes are part of the learning curve but they will become less frequent as you develop your skills.

KelDawg1 and all -

I've been a life long trout fisherman and use ultra lite geer. I've used Daiwa and the old Mitchell Garcia stuff in spinning reels up to this point.

I'd like to get into some bass fishing, but want to make sure I have the proper gear.

I appreciate all the feedback I've received so far, and hope to hear some more. I'm disappointed to hear this EON is a lemon - because it "sounds" so promising.

I've been contemplating this for some time (making the plunge into bass fishing). I know I have a lot to learn and have been reading the posts in here frequently.

Thanks again.

By the way - what is a "back lash?"

As everyone else has stated, do not buy an AbuGarcia. I know plenty of guys who use and swear by them but I have had no luck with these POS's. I think the Curado by Shimano would be an excellent first baitcaster. Its only like 20-30 bucks more and twice the reel. The calcutta is totally sweet, but pricey. There is my .02 .

Tight Lines,

Clay

ps Backlash is basically line overrun, but you will soon find out all about that. :) Good Luck

abu's are good reels for the money, i like those blue ones (don't have one, but played around with them). a Captain i fish with every now and then uses abu's as rental rigs and they work great. but definatley stay away from the Eon...boo...hiss...bad! if you want a reel that will last you indefinatly though, get a shimano curado, great reel, as is the super free version...however i still haven't used it enough to figure out how to reduce back lashes...grrr. my favorite reels are the chronachs and calcuttas, but $$$, so i *only* have one chronarch and a calcutta 400, but i use that for saltwater stuff, and trout plugs.

http://www.duhspot.com/users/smiley/s/otn/ez/ezpi_blueface.gif -leif- http://www.duhspot.com/users/smiley/s/otn/ez/ezpi_blueface.gif

One more vote for the curado. Remember, just about anything Shimano, is backed up with excellent customer service, and more often than not free repair or replacement.
-Brian

Has anyone had a good experience with that Eon? It felt kind of Hasbro My First Reel plasticy (I just made that word up, it is pronounced /pla STIK ee/, I will submit it to Webster's tomorrow). I guess the first run was recalled, haven't heard much since. Anyone actually fished one?

ALRIGHT I ADMIT IT! I fell prey to the EON. I wasn't going to say anything, but I figured someone would do a search and find out I mentioned it in the past. Actually I got it as a gift, but that still doesn't make it right. When I first got it it seemed like an ok reel. I flicked the spool with my thumb and it spun forever so I figured it would cast good, which it actually does. That is the only thing good about it. The centrifugal cast control is a joke. The drag is sticky. It's kind of noisy and not smooth at all. Oh yeah and two weeks after I got it this little plastic mechanism inside the reel broke. They replaced it free of charge so now it works again, but I don't use it. So those are my thoughts on the EON.
I agree with everyone else on the Curado. I have one and love it and i'm getting another one in a week or two. -Phil

Sounds like the Corsair of Abu Garcias. No need to be ashamed, I myself own a Corsair. :-( I haven't used it in years, so I'm debating whether I should try to sell it on ebay and kick down some extra cash for a Catala, or have the satisfaction of throwing it off the boat at the 4 mile. It's a tough call.
-Brian

TOSS IT!!!!! It will feel much better knowing that some other poor guy isn't going to end up fighting with that reel. Give it to the fish gods for a proper burial.


Clay

Obvioulsy you youngsters haven't been around to fish some of the fine abu's that are still around. The old round silvers are still the finest reel for the money you can buy. The 4500 and 5500 C3 will hang in there with all the new reels. Granted they don't sport the $300.00 price tag that some of the Shimano and Diawa have, but not everyone has that much to plunk down on a reel. I still to this day have not found a baitcaster that will out perform or cast an old 1500 or 2500C with 6 to 8 lb test!!!!!! Ain't going to happen. There isn't a reel out there that will. The new Morrum are sweet but a little pricey. I will have to agree that Abu's spinning reels are not what Shimano or Diawa put out but for the price they are a quality product.

You guys are awesome. I really appreciate the honest feedback. This is a great forum.

I've made up my mind and I'm going to get a Curado. I priced them yesterday at several shops, looks like I can get one for $119. I'm stoked.

Now, I need to find a rod to go with it....

Cool, you Decided to go with the curado. I gaurantee you will not be disappointed.-Phil

Castaway rods are tough to beat. The STM7 is a very versatile rod. http://www.castawayrods.com

Cameron all the way.

http://cameronrods.com/

I got 5 new castways when I bought my Champion...I gave them away. yuck! Loomis is all there is in my boat with one exception and she doesn't get picked up much except for spooning and my zara spook thing. My .02