@TnRiver46

buying a '77 Ambassadeur is very different from buying a '77 (or '07) spinning reel.  

The former are built to fish into the next generation (and the next) - the latter are built to make it out of the store.  

This one did get a new A/R dog, and a better-condition used main shaft (because of boogered threads)

I just adjusted to it, took awhile.

I can't cope with spinning reels where the handle spins backwards.  Picked up a guide reel once that had the ar off and it was horrible.  I somehow managed to backlash a spinning reel before even making a cast.  Also I frequently move my hand off the handle on spinning reels and use the rod to move the bait only reaching for the handle to pickup slack line.  Having to stand there with a death grip on the knob the whole time was unnatural to me.  

On 1/26/2024 at 11:14 AM, Bigbox99 said:

I can't cope with spinning reels where the handle spins backwards.  Picked up a guide reel once that had the ar off and it was horrible.  I somehow managed to backlash a spinning reel before even making a cast.  Also I frequently move my hand off the handle on spinning reels and use the rod to move the bait only reaching for the handle to pickup slack line.  Having to stand there with a death grip on the knob the whole time was unnatural to me.  

I only flip the AR switch after hooking up on a big fish . I keep it locked when casting and working the bait 

 

drag is a SETTING but fish don’t always pull with a set amount of power or speed 

I used to back reel back in the day, when I got a reel without it I just used the drag. Never had an issue, even fighting 4-7lb bass and big pike. Modern drags are so great compared to older reels. I did like the drag on my old Daiwa ss 700 and ss1300 spinning reels. As far as “pros” pulling the line out of their reels while fighting fish, I have no idea what that nonsense is about. Just loosen the drag dial. The drag dial has to be adjusted multiple times during a long fight with a big fish.

I think i hand pull the line before every cast as part of my mechanics. I never missed the AR switch. 

Read any instructions ...........first ?

I don't backreel. If I need to let a little line out, sure I'll use the anti-reverse sometimes. Most of the time if I need a bit of line because I reeled up too close to the tip top, I will pull some out or turn the spool.

On 8/16/2024 at 7:41 PM, Bazoo said:

I don't backreel. If I need to let a little line out, sure I'll use the anti-reverse sometimes. Most of the time if I need a bit of line because I reeled up too close to the tip top, I will pull some out or turn the spool.

Same here. I do not back reel. I only use the AR switch when I need to pull line off the spool to re tie or change lures. I have the Stradic and Vanford and I really miss that quick, convenient feature. Opening the bail or changing the drag to pull line off is a real pain. (no pun intended)