Abu Garcia Ambassadeur C4 Casting Reels Review

Another Value Leader and Cousin to the C3, 2005-02-21
Reviewer: James - Gyozadude- Liu

Next to the Abu C3 series, I own a half dozen or more C4 reels. I give this reel also 5 stars because it too is a price/performance champ just like its cousin, the C3. In fact, they share practically the same chassis, side plates, drag and gear materials, bearings, handles, and more.

What differs is the extra support bearing on the levelwind for the C4, and the 19% faster 6.3:1 gear ratio. Also different are the side plate colours (deep blue on the C4 versus silver on the C3) and the chrome metal crank handle nut and retainer clip. The C3 uses a brass hex nut under a plastic retainer cap.

The extra cost for the C4 is only about $5 over the cost of a C3 in most mail order catalogs, and so it puts itself in the same price point as the C3. This makes it a tough choice between the two reels, which is why I own both types. I use the faster ratio C4 for plugging more than the C3, which I use more often for baitfishing and higher torque requirements.

Both reels cast similarly if not identically. Under freshly overhauled conditions with the right lube, the C4 can outperform the C3 in distance. It can also alleviate some wrist cranking stress because of the higher gear ratio. But after about one trip out, any amount of fouling pretty much reduces any gains from the extra levelwind worm gear support bearing and may actually decrease distance. But it's not significant.

The 5600C4 has a two extra features over the 5500C3. One is a bait clicker, usually only on the larger 6500 series, and the second is the thumbar release on the 4- and 5- series. This makes the smaller 5600C4 ideal for light inshore fishing where you may plug for a while and then switch to bait.

The higher gear ratio is exceptionally suited for fast running salmon and steelhead, but less suitable for sharks, rays, or bottom fish. While I prefer the 6500C3 for its larger capacity, I love the 5600C4 for as a lighter reel, general purpose reel. I can't say which is better.