I bought a $20 fishing pole at a garage sale about six years ago. The tip was broken but it had one of these reels on it. The owner said there was something off about the reel but I gave it a shot. Turns out the handle had a slight bend In it and would contact the star drag. I took it all apart to inspect it and the internals look brand spanking new. I bent the handle back with my fingers and it works like a champ. I’m super stoked to pair it with a zebco dock demon for kayak fishing!
I love those old Ambassadeurs. I have a 5000 from about 1971, and I still enjoy using it now and then, on the same old rod that I used for years (Browning Silaflex!!), though I do use braided line on it. One thought, though, if you are true to the "throwback fishing" thing, is that when distance casting, it helps a bit to tilt your grip so that the reel handles point upward as line is being pulled from the reel during the cast. With these old-style casting reels that have the spool supported on bushings, this lets the spool be supported on the pointy end of the spool shaft so it spins with less friction. Tilting the reel while the lure is in flight was standard procedure for expert casters in the old days, just like pointing the rod so it's lined-up with the line during the cast was and still is the best way to minimize line friction on the guides during the cast. For modern casting reels with ball bearings, I doubt that tilting the reel makes any difference. Oh, and even on an old-style reel, this becomes a moot point if you are using the friction brake to control backlashes!
Found one of these in my grandpas stuff when we were clearing out some things. Number on the bottom is the same as yours 730201, never been used. Can't wait to get a rod and take it out
Used to have an old ambassador..my dads favorite reel when i was growin up..caught my first fish on a snoopy zebco and then moved up to the abu and proceded to birdsnest for months but paid off in the long run outfishing and casting in hole shots with accuracy..and to this day my 3 brothers cant fish to save theyre life..so just like bicycles and no training wheels.."is easier to teach kids to balance on the bike and then add the pedals" my son he is learning with open reels first..he dosnt even wanna try the zebco 33's we have lying around
I run mono on all my old reels. 12-13 # when I'm bass fishing. They were designed for mono and I don't want to put undo stress on the parts. Braid can cut into some old bails on spinners.
They used to be used a lot but I'd recommend the vintage 5000c rather than the 5000 and remember to hose the reel down before you put it away after fishing in saltwater.
I think the one I have from my grandfather was used in saltwater back when he'd go fishing at the Naples pier prior to my existence. No noticeable corrosion, granted I haven't taken it apart yet. Pretty sure he'd always rinse it out after using it though. It's due for a deep clean and lube seeing as I haven't used it in about 20 years myself. Feels dry more so than corroded.
You do realize, that when the fish touches the ground and you touch it with dry hands the fish is doomed to a very painful and slow death over a couple of days at least? No? Now you do! Please treat fish with more respect. Thank you.
I bought a $20 fishing pole at a garage sale about six years ago. The tip was broken but it had one of these reels on it. The owner said there was something off about the reel but I gave it a shot. Turns out the handle had a slight bend In it and would contact the star drag. I took it all apart to inspect it and the internals look brand spanking new. I bent the handle back with my fingers and it works like a champ. I’m super stoked to pair it with a zebco dock demon for kayak fishing!
I've got a 1972 ambassador 6000. Ive upgraded it to 7 bearings, ceramic paw and carbon drags. Awesome reels! built like tanks!
where did you buy the parts?
I love those old Ambassadeurs. I have a 5000 from about 1971, and I still enjoy using it now and then, on the same old rod that I used for years (Browning Silaflex!!), though I do use braided line on it. One thought, though, if you are true to the "throwback fishing" thing, is that when distance casting, it helps a bit to tilt your grip so that the reel handles point upward as line is being pulled from the reel during the cast. With these old-style casting reels that have the spool supported on bushings, this lets the spool be supported on the pointy end of the spool shaft so it spins with less friction. Tilting the reel while the lure is in flight was standard procedure for expert casters in the old days, just like pointing the rod so it's lined-up with the line during the cast was and still is the best way to minimize line friction on the guides during the cast. For modern casting reels with ball bearings, I doubt that tilting the reel makes any difference. Oh, and even on an old-style reel, this becomes a moot point if you are using the friction brake to control backlashes!
I have several Ambassadeurs, various types, some direct drive examples.
The vintage classics take some getting used to, but they're bombproof.
Found one of these in my grandpas stuff when we were clearing out some things. Number on the bottom is the same as yours 730201, never been used. Can't wait to get a rod and take it out
Thank you for the help I now know that I just got a 5500 size abu Garcia ambassador from the 1980s
Used to have an old ambassador..my dads favorite reel when i was growin up..caught my first fish on a snoopy zebco and then moved up to the abu and proceded to birdsnest for months but paid off in the long run outfishing and casting in hole shots with accuracy..and to this day my 3 brothers cant fish to save theyre life..so just like bicycles and no training wheels.."is easier to teach kids to balance on the bike and then add the pedals" my son he is learning with open reels first..he dosnt even wanna try the zebco 33's we have lying around
Love these reels I own 2 of them! I’ll never part with them.
So, does this reel a bait clicker button? Or how do u do it?
Thx
Awesome!
Can you do a sound test on that reel?
Nice Reel - What line are you running? Thanks for the video!
I run mono on all my old reels. 12-13 # when I'm bass fishing. They were designed for mono and I don't want to put undo stress on the parts. Braid can cut into some old bails on spinners.
I've just come across one of those reels and rod combo like to know if could use it for carp of catfish
Yes just use 30-40 pound monofilament
Vintage but still fishing well :)
Now you just need a Lew's Speed Stick for it
nice reel
I have a 6,000 Ambassador reel made in 1972
Ambassadeur over a black max any day I own a 5500c3 but not a black max. I just prefer more expensive/better quality reels that’s just how I am
JR Outdoors the old abus made in Sweden are jems. Nice channel I subbed.
Has anyone tried these 5000s in saltwater ? If so how did they hold up afterwards (not talking about 5000c)
They used to be used a lot but I'd recommend the vintage 5000c rather than the 5000 and remember to hose the reel down before you put it away after fishing in saltwater.
I think the one I have from my grandfather was used in saltwater back when he'd go fishing at the Naples pier prior to my existence. No noticeable corrosion, granted I haven't taken it apart yet. Pretty sure he'd always rinse it out after using it though.
It's due for a deep clean and lube seeing as I haven't used it in about 20 years myself. Feels dry more so than corroded.
I have a 1963 one
I have 2 of these reels in case someone wants to buy them I want to sail them to of them
760401 that’s the number mine has
You do realize, that when the fish touches the ground and you touch it with dry hands the fish is doomed to a very painful and slow death over a couple of days at least?
No?
Now you do!
Please treat fish with more respect.
Thank you.