I would really like one of the two, and wonder which would be better for a beginner. I do not know anyone with this type of reel, and I will have to practice on my own to get it right. The two I was considering are Abu Garcia 5600C4 Elite, or Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 6500 Trophy. I've only used Spinning rods and reels previous to this one. I will be mainly catching bass, and crappie.  I bought a Falcon LowRider XG. 7' rod.  So that is what it would be matched up with.  I got the rod on a great sale.  The reel will have to be right at a hundred bucks or less preferably.  

I have several C4s in the 5600 size and 6500 size.  I don't have any Trophies.  

First, if you want a traditional Ambassedeur, the C4s are good, solid reels.  Second, for bass fishing, I'd definately go with the 5600 size over the 6500 size.  I can't find anything that the 6500 does better than the 5600.   The 6500 is just too wide.  It's a great catfishing reel, though.  You might even want to consider the 4600 size.  

Mine are older models with 2 pin, non-adjustable brakes.  I think the new ones with the gold spools have 6 pin brakes.   Even then, my C4s way outcasted my Shimano Cardiff reels.

As far as durability goes, these reels will last you a lifetime.  On top of that, they are great reels for learning to do your own maintenance.  They break down very easily and are very easily maintained.

I don't know enough about the Trophy to say anything against that.  Except that a 6500 size reel is really wide for bass fishing.  

The C4 will be a reel you'll be enjoying 30 years from now.  Still made in Sweden.  Good, solid value.   If you can spare a few extra bucks, the baby-blue Abu Garcia Record reels are the pinnacle traditional Ambassedeurs.  

;D  Thanks Mic that really does help me.  Sure appreciate it!  

K

 I checked out the Record, they are a bit out of my price range.  If I could find one on a good sale though, it might be a different story.  (that is how I got my new rod, holiday opening sale at a local outdoor store)  

Go low-profile.

Abu is making a lot of nice baitcasting reels for uner $100, the black max $50, $60 silver max, revo s which is right at 100 and my new personal favorite, the Pro Max at $80.

http://www.***.com/catpage-RLCABUGAR.html  

Welcome aboard!

There are many reels at the pricing point you are considering and I know the choices can be confusing, but I think you should at least take a look at the Shimano Citica:

http://fish.shimano.com/catalog/fish/products/group_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302036642&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181270&bmUID=1196088532875

I would recommend the CI100DSV which you might find for around $85.

 You've already got some good recommendations on reels. Just wanted to say you might want to rethink about using same set-up on bass and crappie if that's what you meant in your post. Set-up for bass is usually to heavy to cast crappie baits and the other way around for crappie rigs. Also, WELCOME to the forums!!!

                                            As Ever,

                                             skillet

I just starting using baitcasters this summer.  I bought a C4 4600.  Great reel, easy to use, not too many bells and whistles.  I think I paid around $60 for it new.  I have zero regrets in that choice.

I have since bought a Citica and a couple Revo SC.  I still find my 4600 just a enjoyable to use.

One thing that helped me was the narrow spools were easier to use when I was starting out.  

Well I use the same rod and reel now for everything.  I have a real small rod and reel for trout, but haven't been around trout in years.  I have a Cherrywood Rod and a Shakespeare spinning reel that I use all the time.  The rod I love.  The reel, I hate.  I will have to get another spinning reel in the future.  The Shakespeare is acting up some.  I will chunk it as soon as I can replace that one.  As far as your question about the bait casting rod and reel....I will probably use this set up for all, until I can get another set up later.   I use bait, plastics, a lures.  It just depends on where I'm at.  A couple of months ago I went fishing and nearly broke my rod and reel on a huge fish.  Must of been a big catfish is all I can think of.  I have never felt anything like that before.  It was exciting.  I kept trying to adjust that reel so the fish didn't break the line.  My rod was bent nearly in half and my sixteen year old got behind me to try to help me pull it in.  I was beyond excited until I lost it.  I have thought of trying a light saltwater set up for that place when I fish again.   8-)  One of these days I will probably have 3-4 different set ups.  But for now, this is as good as I can do.  

I just starting using baitcasters this summer.  I bought a C4 4600.  Great reel, easy to use, not too many bells and whistles.  I think I paid around $60 for it new.  I have zero regrets in that choice.

I have since bought a Citica and a couple Revo SC.  I still find my 4600 just a enjoyable to use.

One thing that helped me was the narrow spools were easier to use when I was starting out.  

I saw a C4 4600 today.  I liked it a lot.  I guess it would be easier to learn to use a bait caster with.  It doesn't look like it would hold a lot of line though.  Will it hold up to a big fat bass?  I also saw a Abu Garcia Record today.  Man I wish they would put that thing on sale.  It was super nice.  But I cringe at spending that much for a reel.  I will look at those others all mentioned here.  Thanks to everyone for all their input.  

The Garcia's round reels are excellant reels to learn to baitcast with.  The C4 versions are quite nice and will last you a long time.  Skip the 6500 version, too big.

I saw a C4 4600 today. I liked it a lot. I guess it would be easier to learn to use a bait caster with. It doesn't look like it would hold a lot of line though. Will it hold up to a big fat bass? I also saw a Abu Garcia Record today. Man I wish they would put that thing on sale. It was super nice. But I cringe at spending that much for a reel. I will look at those others all mentioned here. Thanks to everyone for all their input.

Heck yes, the C4 will hold up to the biggest, baddest, fattest bass on the planet.  These reels are used a lot by musky and pike fishermen.  I use my not only for largemouth, but have landed many, many striped bass and many blue catfish on mine (in fresh, brackish and saltwater).  

I took two of my C4s apart for end-of-season cleaning and lubing and I am still amazed just how ruggedly they are built.

And no worries about the 4600 size, it will hold all the line you need for largemouth fishing.   But the more versatile size is probably the 5600.  

I  noticed you said in the 100$ price range, i recently bought an Abu Garcia revo S. Im very pleased with it and its 99$ at Bass Pro. I recommend it

And no worries about the 4600 size, it will hold all the line you need for largemouth fishing.   But the more versatile size is probably the 5600.  

I  noticed you said in the 100$ price range, i recently bought an Abu Garcia revo S. Im very pleased with it and its 99$ at Bass Pro. I recommend it

:-?  I have been hearing about the Revo a lot since I've asked this question on the net.  I use a lot of live bait and the round might be better for me.  But I will look at the Revo again.  I was on a Texas forum today and they were just bragging on those Revos!

You canalso get a c5  4600 from Cabelas on sale for 70 bucks its like a c3 but has 5 bearings and a magnetic cast control i have quite a few and love um

Yea alot of people are liking them including me. Its even better if you can get to BPS or cabelas or somewhere where you can hold the reel. its incredibly small and lightweight and it casts a mile. i cant wait to get my hands on the sx or stx  8-).

8-)  Well I looked at the Revo, but decided on the Abu Garcia 5600C4.  I was thinking about getting the 4600 but they upped the price on it.  They tried to charge me the upped price on the 5600 but I made them go look at the place in the window where it was....it was ten or eleven dollars cheaper than BPS, Cabelas, and Gander Mountain. Now they figured out the computer is ringing up another price, they will fix that pronto.  

Good deal!  Great reel.  With care, it will last the rest of your life.  

The cool thing about the C4 is that if you decide to stop fising with it, you can mount it on the front bumper of your truck and use it as a winch.  

:-X  shhhh don't tell, LOL.

K