A friend recommended the Ambassadeur 7000 C3 reel to me. Does anyone have any real life experience with it? Any comments good or bad would be appreciated.

DaveK

I've never fished one, but I'm pretty sure that sized reel is pretty freakin wide. Some of those Abu's seem to be a bit too wide. They don't feel right on the rod and are overbalanced IMO. What are you gonna use it for?
-Brian

What are you going to use it for? I've used 2 6500C3's for years and can't complain. The 7000 is a bit large for most of what I do but, if you have the right application they're a tough reel that isn't finicky about cleanings like Calcuta's can be, and you can actually afford 1 or 2. Just my 2 cents.

Tight lines,
Wade

Tight lines,
Wade

I have been on a couple of tuna trips and would like a reel that could be used for that and maybe large stripers. I would like to use 15 to 25 maybe even 30 lb test line. If the 7000 is not the right reel, what would you guys suggest?

Thanks Dave

I don't think an abu would last too long on tuna trips, or stripers for that matter. You need a pretty bullet proof reel for those hard pullin fish. I'd suggest like a newell 338. You could put a bunch of 15# on there if you wanted to, and fish it for tuna, although a smaller reel like a little progear or something would be better for 15#, but since you also want to fish 30# on it, I think you'd be better off with the 338.
-Brian

Thanks Brain for the suggestion. I will check it out and let you know what I find.

DaveK

I'd say it's fine for all Stripers in open water and any striper under 30# in most any situation your likely to run into with Stripers. As for the tunas it'd be fine for the under 50# category and would probably by great for freelining anchovies to this size class, but anything over 60# and you'd better be praying and keep some freshwater on hand to cool the side plates/drag washers.

Tight lines,
Wade

Tight lines,
Wade

I guess what I am trying for is a reel that will serve several purposes. I would like it to be heavy enough to stand up to average tuna or stripers, but light enough to use for sandbass and other fish taken on 15# line. I know it is not the perfect solution, but with somewhat limited funds I was hoping for the best.

Thanks DaveK

I'm a big fan of Abu's, though I don't have the 7000 (I own 3 now, and will probably have 3 more by next month). So, I think it'd do fine. But, I have no experience w/ stripers beyond watching a school swim under my canoe many years ago. Another reel to check out is the Diawa SL30 in either the SH or HV series. The SH will run around $110, and the HV is probably $140. I used my SL30 for everything from schooly tuna and yellowtail w/ no problems. There are debates over their drags vrs the Penn HT100's (also in the Newels if my memory serves me well). Personally I'll take the Diawas. They may not last quite as long, but they are bigger and smoother. That and Newels sound like a dying cat when you cast them. Diawa also cast really well right out of the box. A pinner chovy on a 30 is no problem.

hey,
i am a HUGE fan of abu garcias. i own a 7000c and it is a great reel. i think you will have no problem with larger stripers on the c-3. i dont know about tuna. if you are looking for a good small tuna reel but still looking to fish stripers, get either the abu 7000 big game or the c-3. this will be good for throwing iron at calicos and sandies too and it would be ok for throwing plastics at the bass too. this c-3 7000 will cost you about 100-150 bucks tops. i highly resomend this reel for small tuna and yellowtail(it is the best all around yellowtail reel in my opinion. match it with a seeker 870 and your set.

the 13 year old fisherman,
kyle(boo)

If you want a REALLY good real, i recomend a shimano calcutta 700 but this is about double the 7000.good luck

Hey Boo, Good to see you here. Hopefully you'll make the next Shelter Island tournament. I saw you on the inside Sunday, but never got to say hi. Don't give up so easy next time. It was pretty cold, but the bite was actually pretty decent.

If you need a ride for the next one let me know. You'd need to talk to Dink about a permission slip or something.

Amish Ed