So, I really got into fishing last year but up until a month ago I was never really familiar with brands and what was good or bad. Well, I recently found this baitcasting reel in my garage and I thought you all would think this is really cool! My dad bought this when he was a teen, that would have been about 20 years ago, if my story is correct.

 

 

 

 

So what do you propose I do with it?

Those are very good reels. Yours is missing a couple sideplate screws etc.So it may or may not be missing other parts also. Personally, i would just clean it up real good, and keep it because it was your dads.

Those are very good reels. Yours is missing a couple sideplate screws etc.So it may or may not be missing other parts also. Personally, i would just clean it up real good, and keep it because it was your dads.

Same here.

Those are built like a tank and bullet proof, can still get parts for it. I'd restore it internally and fish it for the memories

That's a perfectly fishable reel especially for bigger, heavier baits. If you want it refurbished, the cost for members here is $19.80 plus parts & shipping.

That's a perfectly fishable reel especially for bigger, heavier baits. If you want it refurbished, the cost for members here is $19.80 plus parts & shipping.

X2

Those are great reels. I have a couple I use for catfishing and they are with out a doubt built to last.

That's a perfectly fishable reel especially for bigger, heavier baits. If you want it refurbished, the cost for members here is $19.80 plus parts & shipping.

Nice! I may end up going that route for fathers day!

Great reels! I have 4 of them that I use regularly and one from the early 70's that I keep for nostalgic purposes. They are bullet proof baitcasters that can do just about anything a $300.+ reel can do today. I've pitched, cast'd, trolled, and beat up on these bad boys for many years. Regardless of what a fishing partner may be using, they can't do anything I can't do.

 

Best part is, you can pass it down from one generation to another. I've never had a "need" to go with anything else.

Great reels! I have 4 of them that I use regularly and one from the early 70's that I keep for nostalgic purposes. They are bullet proof baitcasters that can do just about anything a $300.+ reel can do today. I've pitched, cast'd, trolled, and beat up on these bad boys for many years. Regardless of what a fishing partner may be using, they can't do anything I can't do.

 

Best part is, you can pass it down from one generation to another. I've never had a "need" to go with anything else.

 

That's really great, I know my dad always talks about fishing for pike around here, but we don't have the tackle. Would it be possible to set a combo up with a Heavy action rod so that he can pike fish and I can fish heavy cover bass?

Pike fishing with that reel will not be a problem. I believe that's a 84'model,or 82',the 1st 2 numbers on the foot will tell you the year it was built. I still have one that I've never fished with,and I converted 2 others into 4500C's.

That's really great, I know my dad always talks about fishing for pike around here, but we don't have the tackle. Would it be possible to set a combo up with a Heavy action rod so that he can pike fish and I can fish heavy cover bass?

You will not need to go with a "heavy" rod. Any quality Medium-Heavy baitcasting rod that's 6'6" - 7'6" will do just fine. I've taken pike to 20# on such a rig. I'd suggest you think about using a quality 20# - 25# test monofilament (instead of braid) for your main line though. When a pike crashes into your lure, you'll need the stretch as a shock absorber. In this pound test range you won't have to worry about having too much stretch. The strike is so vicious that the hooks will be set just fine.

You don't want to use a superbraid line with vintage reels that date older then that type of line. The reason is the level wind guide is too soft of metal and today's braided ine may cut a groove into it.

That is a later model 5500C, but could be 20 years old.

Tom

Interesting stuff about not using braid. It's starting numbers are 84 on the bottom. My dad's birthday is coming up next month and I've decided that I'm going to have this refurbished and present him with a nice set up!

 

 

I think I enjoy fishing more.. so it's kind of a gift that keeps on giving 

 

One more rod in our (my) system can't hurt, right?

The schematic is marked 78-08 with one part number for the line guide. I've never seen one with a damaged line guide. Parts are available enough too. I wouldn't hesitate a second to run braid on an Ambassadeur. Braided lines have come a long way.

how can upgrade the drag on an old ambassadeur. also what size bearings

foot plate on mine is 770400

You don't want to use a superbraid line with vintage reels that date older then that type of line. The reason is the level wind guide is too soft of metal and today's braided ine may cut a groove into it.

That is a later model 5500C, but could be 20 years old.

Tom

What? Never had a problem using braid on any of my Ambassadeurs. And I've clocked a LOT of hours on them. The oldest one that I don't use much anymore even had dacron on it. But the newer ones (3) all have 30# test PP with fluorocarbon leaders. One has 25# test Triple Fish Perlon Mono, which is my pike rod. None of them gather much dust either.

how can upgrade the drag on an old ambassadeur. also what size bearings

BB's are probably 3 x 10 x 4.  You can upgrade them just like anybody does their newer techno plastic reels, skies the limit.  Carbontex or Smoothie drag washer drag upgrades are easily found too along with ceramic pawls and bb's for idler cogs, level winds etc...

Any recommendations on rods that I can look at?  

Any recommendations on rods that I can look at?  

Depends.....what is your budget?

What? Never had a problem using braid on any of my Ambassadeurs. And I've clocked a LOT of hours on them. The oldest one that I don't use much anymore even had dacron on it. But the newer ones (3) all have 30# test PP with fluorocarbon leaders. One has 25# test Triple Fish Perlon Mono, which is my pike rod. None of them gather much dust either.

Dacron braid is smooth and soft, the reel was made for it. Mono line isn't a problem, also smooth and soft.

Reels mfr's in the 60's and 70's are prone to level wing guide and rods of that era without hard chrome plating, carbon or ceramic guides can suffer damage from superbraids without Teflon ccoating. This was a big problem when superbraids first came. If the level wind guide is hard chrome plated, it's good for braid. Newer reels use titanium nitrite or heat treated very hard metal to prevent braid damage.

Tom

New frame,side plates,bearing supported worm gear and cog wheel. Yeah,that's the ticket. It would be like giving your dad a new reel! Just like this one.

There have been a lot of versions over the years. If you have the exact model Smooth Drags Carbontex is a good upgrade. I super tune Ambassaduers but don't bother with bearings since most of the drag comes from the non disengaging levelwinds.

Depends.....what is your budget?

 

Less than $60, preferably. I've been eyeing the Berkley rods, specifically.

 

There have been a lot of versions over the years. If you have the exact model Smooth Drags Carbontex is a good upgrade. I super tune Ambassaduers but don't bother with bearings since most of the drag comes from the non disengaging levelwinds.

 

So, what would you recommend as far as the repairs go? I would want it repaired and the worn parts replaced, and I noticed on your site that they have bearing replacement and drag upgrade options. The first two numbers on the underside are 84, I'm not home atm so I can't get the rest of the numbers, but I'm really just looking at a complete refurbish, which, from the price models on your website would be around $50 not including shipping/insurance or extra parts. That would include the clean/lube, repair, drag upgrade, and bearings.

Basic service includes deep cleaning and inspection and replacement of needed parts and costs $22. Add $12 for super tuning, $10 for Carbontex kit and $19.95 for two bearings. Any other parts and shopping are additional and at cost.