It's hard to improve on a classic design without taking away from what made it a classic. Abu Garcia shows
how to do it right with the new Classic C3 Reel. It features high-performance gearing (lasts up to 200%
longer, improving on the
hand-cut quality that Ambassadeur reels are famous for). You'll also appreciate a more durable levelwind.
The Carbon Matrix Drag will handle battle after battle without fail. Two precision stainless-steel ball
bearings and one roller bearing make for dependable and smooth action. Also includes adjustable six-pin
spool centrifugal brake to handle any fishing conditions. The Classic C3 is one reel you
can rely on when it's time to hammer those trophy fish.
Abu Garcia® Ambassadeur® Classic C3 Casting Reel
Item:IK-120596
$84.99 – $149.99
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It's hard to improve on a classic design without taking away from what made it a classic. Abu Garcia shows how to do it right with the new Classic C3 Reel. It features high-performance gearing (lasts up to 200% longer, improving on the hand-cut quality that Ambassadeur reels are famous for). You'll also appreciate a more durable levelwind. The Carbon Matrix Drag will handle battle after battle without fail. Two precision stainless-steel ball bearings and one roller bearing make for dependable and smooth action. Also includes adjustable six-pin spool centrifugal brake to handle any fishing conditions. The Classic C3 is one reel you can rely on when it's time to hammer those trophy fish.
Average Customer Rating:
4.8 out of 5
47 of 48 (98%) customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for Abu Garcia® Ambassadeur® Classic C3 Casting Reel
FEATURED REVIEW
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Abu Excellent !!,September 10, 2007
By Lee5216from Raleigh, NC
"I started buying Abu Garcia casting reels in the 1980's - and have never been disappointed. They are old style rugged - and remarkably, the new series of 5500C#'s and 6500C3's seem to be an improvement over the great older C3's. Absolutely fantastic for lake and pond fishing - I saw a fishing crewman using a 6500C3 to catch salmon (the 25 - 35lb variety) off Monterey CA - which, I believe is what they ere originally designed for in Sweden. I will always be an Abu Garcia casting man!!"
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 2 for Abu Garcia® Ambassadeur® Classic C3 Casting Reel
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
5500c3,November 10, 2009
By Anonymousfrom Baltimore MD
"Bought this reel recently and I am really impressed with how smooth it is. I did a side by side comparison at the tackle shop with it and a Shimano Calcutta costing 3 times as much. I actually thought the Abu was smoother. I just started using Abu products this year because my family has always used Penns but I am very happy with the three 6500c3ct's and the 5500cs."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 3 for Abu Garcia® Ambassadeur® Classic C3 Casting Reel
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Abu Garcia® Ambassadeur Classic C3 Casting Reel,October 25, 2009
By JGM3from Idaho
"I remember wanting a similar ABU Garcia reel as a young teenager and it was just a bit too expensive for me back then. Years later I was able to buy this one and I just love it. Very easy to use for me with great anti-backlash control and smooth and durable. May not be the best reel if you prefer the low profile reels you can palm but is a great part of my fishing arsenal of rods and reels."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 4 for Abu Garcia® Ambassadeur® Classic C3 Casting Reel
Overall Rating:
4
out of 5
tomas,October 13, 2009
By krauzasfrom lithuania siauliai
"good reel"
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 5 for Abu Garcia® Ambassadeur® Classic C3 Casting Reel
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Casting Reel,August 15, 2009
By Inkslingerfrom Madison, WI
"I love the casting reel because it has the clicker on it when fishing you can let the cork drift away from the boat and when you get a hit the clicker starts going and have time to set the hook, you don't have to keep your eye on the cork all the time."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 6 for Abu Garcia® Ambassadeur® Classic C3 Casting Reel
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
5500C 3,August 12, 2009
By Rovingarcherfrom Washington state
"I have two 5500C garcia reels.Just recently after 30 years, I sent them to a florida shop for general service.I got a call that the steelhead were running like crazy.Not one to miss a bite, I purchased a new 5500C3.The first hour on the river I felt that I had my 30 year old reel in my hand.What a great reel.I would highly recomend this reel for steelies or salmon.GR, Leavenworth Wa"
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 7 for Abu Garcia® Ambassadeur® Classic C3 Casting Reel
Overall Rating:
3
out of 5
7000C3i Cast great... But!,August 4, 2009
By cliffjumperfrom Vancouver Island
"This is a mixed review and only for the 7000C3i. The 'i' means made in China. (I have 2 & the stickers say so)
I fish saltwater shorelines, and cast up to 4oz hard and a fairly long way (250'=/-). I use 2 of these reels a couple times weekly for the past 2-3 years with daily rinsing and 4X yr maintainence. I've replaced the drag disks a couple times, but that's not a problem, they get used a lot and simply need that service, as would any reel. On an average day, each would be cast just under a hundred times... heavy use. They aren't used as bait-soakers.
They cast very, very well once you clean out the heavy grease and properly re-lube with good oil & grease.
The drag is good, not super-duper, but good and smooth. Running 25# salmon will pull drag (not locked down) nice and smoothly. You can't quite lock it down, but almost, it's about 18-20# drag force. The handling is excellent, and once you've done the initial service, it casts 1 1/2oz-2 1/2oz on 65# braid over 200'-300' on a 9' & 10' rod with ease and no problems with backlash. This model only has 4-pin cast control, not 6-pins, but that's no problem.
The power handle and retrieve speed are very very good. The clutch lever and clicker button are well placed.
My 2 reels have landed literally hundreds of salt water fish from zip to 30# without a glitch.
But... and actually pretty big buts... The bait clicker on both reels failed. The pin/shaft needs to have a retaining clip which would hold the assembly in place. It doesn't stay in alignment.
2: Worse, both reels on the same trip, casting 3oz lures, suddenly sounded like I was stripping the gears on the cast. At home, dissassembelled to find the clutch mechanisms were similarly in need of a retaining clip on the clutch assembly shaft. The clutch gearing slides out of line to hit the main gear on release (cast). This is not a seashore repair, and the reels are at that point useless.
Since then, neither reel reliably releases when the clutch lever is switched, and I have to re-check each release to ensure it has properly released before casting.
They are still functioning and casting perfectly well, but the engineering especially on the clutch mechanism means I have to be attentive on every cast because the gear slippage will repeat. The clicker has had to be re-aligned twice since on each reel.
I recommend the reel for all the good points. But with the note about making certain the clutch has properly-released before casting. You may have to disengage, re-engage, then disengage again while moving the spool with your thumb.
The size of the reel, casting ability, drag and ergonomics all scream good reel, and it is, except for the lack of two retaining clips. Some users might only give a single star or a completely negative review. That may or may not be fair, but by being attentive, it is a great reel to fish with.
Cheers!"
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 8 for Abu Garcia® Ambassadeur® Classic C3 Casting Reel
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Great Value,May 13, 2009
By Jaykurfrom Indiana
"I have used this reel on seven all day fishing trips now and it worked good on the first outing and has gotten better with each trip. I have been using Ambassadeur reels for at least 20 years now and have never been disappointed with their quality or performance. I find this reel an exceptional value and would recommend it without hesitation."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 9 for Abu Garcia® Ambassadeur® Classic C3 Casting Reel
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
c3 5500,May 12, 2009
By gwlanglerfrom orange county ny
"i just purchased 2 c3 5500. as being new to using baitcast reels i was stunned at the ease of casting these reels. i lined one with 30lb braid and the other with 12lb big game. simply amazed by how easy they were to use. 1/4 oz. or more. these thing cast a mile. i can see why they never changed them. they even worked great with cast lighter lures short distances."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 10 for Abu Garcia® Ambassadeur® Classic C3 Casting Reel
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Ambassadeur C3 Classic,March 30, 2009
By KBonfrom Louisiana
"I've always enjoyed classic and nostalgic fishing gear, so I actually bought this reel just to have it. But after pairing it with a Fish Eagle rod, I tested it in the back yard and realized that this reel is no novelty item. It's quiet, smooth, and casts light lures with no problem. A reel I bought for a conversation piece has turned into one of my favorite fish catchers."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 11 for Abu Garcia® Ambassadeur® Classic C3 Casting Reel
Overall Rating:
4
out of 5
nice reel,March 9, 2009
By DaveF41from IL
"this is my 4th 7000c3 reel. it's a good one. they have improved the drag system on them. while i have yet to catch a musky with it, i'm sure it will work fine."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 12 for Abu Garcia® Ambassadeur® Classic C3 Casting Reel
Overall Rating:
4
out of 5
good reel for the price,February 21, 2009
By CupertinoFishermanfrom Cupertino, CA
"I own 5500CL3 for many years. Caught a lot of fish. Also was need to make one modification: replaced it's handle with "power" one. Good thing is: power handle is a popular option, it is easy to get. Reel is dependable and service is easy. Reel still works. But currently it belongs with my home museum. The reason is very simple, it's called Luna 253. I managed to add 20 yards to my casting distance using same Fenwick's 9-feeter. Plus Luna's perfect drags... You can not go back to good old 5500 after Luna, my friend. Yes, as easy as that. It is this question "will you recommend it?..." My honest answer will be NO: I will recommend Luna."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? No
Review 13 for Abu Garcia® Ambassadeur® Classic C3 Casting Reel
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
my first reel,December 28, 2008
By txtylersharkdudefrom spring tx
"best reel you can buy"
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 14 for Abu Garcia® Ambassadeur® Classic C3 Casting Reel
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
one word SOLID,November 24, 2008
By aggiereelguyfrom College Station, TX
"Easy to use, decent performing reel that will last forever.
No other reel in this price range will last as long while giving you the dependable performance of these."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 15 for Abu Garcia® Ambassadeur® Classic C3 Casting Reel
Overall Rating:
4
out of 5
Abu Garcia® Ambassadeur® Classic C3 Casting Reel,November 18, 2008
By grizzle1from New Zealand
"I have an older model of this reel which has now been retired in favour of this one. The older one performed really well with no problems so i'm hoping that this one will be of the same quality. I also have a 7000c which is also an excellent product."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 16 for Abu Garcia® Ambassadeur® Classic C3 Casting Reel
Overall Rating:
4
out of 5
The reliable reel, better with no levelwind at all,November 7, 2008
By UVfanfrom Prague, Czech republic
"I got used C3 aprx. for a month or 2 - but I start using it very intensively. There are 2 good features: high durability as well as also high reliability. I use it with jerk-baits and other weights of 25-50 gr. The reason for 4-stars rating is a problem with levelwind covering: now it looks like as it is shabby, with no yellow color in some places. BUT as I use the reel mostly only with high weights it is ok to use it with no levelwind at all"
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 17 for Abu Garcia® Ambassadeur® Classic C3 Casting Reel
Overall Rating:
4
out of 5
good,October 28, 2008
By CADJRfrom macon,ga
"Very good item"
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 18 for Abu Garcia® Ambassadeur® Classic C3 Casting Reel
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Classic,October 6, 2008
By BlueWavefrom Arkansas
"Still a great value. well built. I keep four and use for bass and stripers."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 19 for Abu Garcia® Ambassadeur® Classic C3 Casting Reel
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Fun fishing,September 30, 2008
By cccbossfrom Norway
"After I received my new Abu Garcia® Ambassadeur® Classic C3 Casting Reel I dicovered how fun it can be with fishing again."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 20 for Abu Garcia® Ambassadeur® Classic C3 Casting Reel
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
abu garcia c3,September 28, 2008
By txsaltfrom eagle lake, tx
"My first baitcast reel ever. I do a lot of wade fishing on the tx coast and after 100's of outings with my 5501 c3 i've never had any problems with this reel. From specs to reds and even a 40 in snook i've never had a problem with this reel. I've accidently dunked it a few times and after some minor matenance it has always come out perfect. The centrifugal brake works flawlessly and has no problem throwing 1/16 ounce jig heads. I would definately recommend this product to anyone looking for an awesome durable reel that's not a bad price."
