Tjames09 Posted August 3, 2016 Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 (edited) So I recently purchased a BPS rod 7'6" H with an ambassaduer reel for musky fishing. Well actually I bought two. Anyways, the reel doesnt fit the rod, I have the rod clamp tightened as much as it goes and the reel still pops out. Is there a work around for this or is it just not meant to be. I held it together with zip ties, but it still is not stable. edit, should mention its the ambassaduer SX model, the red one. It seems the metal on the bottom of the reel isnt long enough to fit the rod clasp. Edited August 3, 2016 by Tjames09 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted August 3, 2016 Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 wrap some electrical tape around the reel seat....that may work. if not they sell actual reel seat pads that also may work. I had to do it with an inshore nrx spinning rod that my stella reel won't latch properly onto. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landry Posted August 3, 2016 Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 (edited) That's Wierd. I would return and exchange one of the items at Basspro. The reel is likely unused so that is what I would suggest. The Shimano Cardiff reels are reasonable and hold up better for Muskie In my opinion. The 300 size works for smaller stuff and it is what I have on my 7'6" H rod. Most people use the 400 size but I find it too wide for that rod and what I use it for. i sent u aniother personal message btw. Edited August 3, 2016 by landry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigeontroller Posted August 3, 2016 Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 Muskie lures, and sometimes Muskie, can put a lot of pressure on the reel. Take them back, get a combo that the reel locks in solid like it should. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tjames09 Posted August 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 wrap some electrical tape around the reel seat....that may work. if not they sell actual reel seat pads that also may work. I had to do it with an inshore nrx spinning rod that my stella reel won't latch properly onto. Seems sort of make shift for a $100 reel. I might take them back and find something that fits better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tjames09 Posted August 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 Could the Abu Orra 2 Winch not work for this application? I dont quite understand the difference between these baitcasters. The Ambassaduer SX is one heavy model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperDave Posted August 4, 2016 Report Share Posted August 4, 2016 Do as Pigeon Troller suggested. I had the same thing happen with the Tranx on a custom X rod. Just didn't fit right and cost me a fish! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tjames09 Posted August 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2016 Do as Pigeon Troller suggested. I had the same thing happen with the Tranx on a custom X rod. Just didn't fit right and cost me a fish! I did, returned it. I actually bought a more expensive reel (lol). I bought the Shimano Cardiff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted August 5, 2016 Report Share Posted August 5, 2016 hope that cardiff has improved since the mid 2000's fake gold models.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landry Posted August 6, 2016 Report Share Posted August 6, 2016 I'm sure your comment made him feel great about his purchase Steve. Lol. I have owned 4 of them over the last 12 years. Not one failed on me. They r a solid reel for the price. I think it will do him just fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom McCutcheon Posted August 6, 2016 Report Share Posted August 6, 2016 (edited) One of the first Muskie reels I had was a Cardiff. It worked well and will do the job. I eventually upgraded to higher end reels and passed the Cardiff along to a young angler in MCI who was just getting started; for the price of a beer..... Edited August 6, 2016 by Tom McCutcheon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tjames09 Posted August 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2016 I didnt like the button on the C3 which is the same price. The C4 is higher in price, and didnt seem to offer more when I was looking at it. After that it goes way up in prices. The guy at bass pro (well it seems everyone there) doesnt actually know a lot about fishing and fishing gear. He recommended 20lb braid for musky fishing should be fine. I liked the Abu Winch which is more a bass style reel but the guy didnt know enough for me to be confident in buying it and it working for musky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherpete Posted August 6, 2016 Report Share Posted August 6, 2016 (edited) Never get a C4 for muskie fishing. Trust me on that one. C3 with a power handle is a decent starter reel though. Hope you didn't take his advice and go with 20lb braid! Edited August 6, 2016 by Fisherpete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landry Posted August 6, 2016 Report Share Posted August 6, 2016 I had poor durability issues with every Abu C reel I have bought. I have an Abu Toro that has held up very well though and I got it from the bottom of the Detroit R, (snagged it and a broken rod). I cleaned it up, dried it and relubed it and it has been flawless for 4 years. Lol. True story. I also used all the parts from the rodeo build a new Tackle Industries 10'6"xxh this spring:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted August 7, 2016 Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 C3 is great. C4 was horrible. The C4 was actually almost useless, as the high gear ratio, and no guts, made it virtually useless for anything but rigger reels.... The old fake gold cardiff, which was a calcutta knock off, used to freeze and fall apart when we fished quinte....didn't hold up...most folks fish muskie late into the season..... a curado 300 works much better in tough conditions...used ones go for less than $200... maybe the new cardiffs are better than the circa 2005'ish Cardiffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tjames09 Posted August 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 Hmmm, guys arent making me feel to confident with my purchase now. The help at BassPro is very poor so its tough to choose when at the counter when the guy behind the counter really doesnt know. What is a better option at the $150 price point? Some of the reels you guys are mentioning are closer to $300 new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom McCutcheon Posted August 7, 2016 Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 (edited) That was the whole idea of you getting the Cardiff, correct? Your just getting started and didn't want to go really expensive yet. Like I said, I used a Cardiff initially, but realized after a season or two that I wanted more versatility. The Cardiff will suite you just fine, but it is not built the same as the higher end, more expensive models. Until you get comfortable targeting Muskies and want to get into specific rod reel combinations, go with what you have. You will find that it is a middle of the road reel and capable of throwing average size Muskie baits. I wouldn't want to bring double 10's in or throw pound bull dawgs all day with it though. Ambassador Record is also a middle of the road reel. I think around $200. give or take. Edited August 7, 2016 by Tom McCutcheon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tjames09 Posted August 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 That was the whole idea of you getting the Cardiff, correct? Your just getting started and didn't want to go really expensive yet. Like I said, I used a Cardiff initially, but realized after a season or two that I wanted more versatility. The Cardiff will suite you just fine, but it is not built the same as the higher end, more expensive models. Until you get comfortable targeting Muskies and want to get into specific rod reel combinations, go with what you have. You will find that it is a middle of the road reel and capable of throwing average size Muskie baits. I wouldn't want to bring double 10's in or throw pound bull dawgs all day with it though. Ambassador Record is also a middle of the road reel. I think around $200. give or take. Ah okay, yes you are correct. I didn't want to blow the bank which is why I went with this model. Just the last few replies left me wondering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landry Posted August 7, 2016 Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 Tom is bang on. It's a solid musky starter reel that will get u going with no issues. I still run one on my topwater rod. My other reels are curado 301, ambassadeur toro 60HS and a saltwater reel called an AVET SX for big bucktail cranking. All more expensive by quite a bit. I used YouTube and taught myself to service all my reels. They are simple to clean and replace parts if needed. Musky reels take a lot of abuse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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