History of Abu Garcia Reels ~ Ambassadeur Reel History

The History of Abu Garcia Reels plus Ambassadeur Reel History:
Before there were Abu Garcia fishing reels, they were called Garcia Abu and Garcia Ambassadeur reels in The USA and Canada. See their 1950s, 60s and 70s ads at tinyurl.com/Garcia-Abu-Reels and tinyurl.com/Garcia-Ambassadeur... in the Mitchell Reel Museum. www.mitchellreelmuseum.com
Like me, most anglers who love Mitchell reels were also hooked on Abu and Ambassadeur reels so, when I first saw this film "For Life: The Story of Abu Garcia" at iCast 2013, I was honored to see parts of my film collection shown on this film!
I just wanted to share this great documentary on Abu Garcia reels with everyone. Anyone who wants to view this film in HD, please see the original video at • For Life: The Story of...
Tight Lines! Wallace Carney
• History of Abu Garcia ...

[@deepwater2652]

I found a "new" old-stock Ambassadeur reel in the back of a fishing tackle shop - still using it after 40+ years!

[@jaydee5156]

The story of the young boy who lost a prized reel rings familiar to me. In my case, the reel was mine. It was an Ambassadeur 6000 that my dad surprised me with one month early as a gift for my birthday. Mine was knocked overboard into saltwater. The tide was going out, the current was swift and the water was deep. My rod and reel were never recovered. Upon return from our fishing trip, my dad treated me to a shiny new Ambassadeur 5000C and Heddon rod. I still have both to this day.

[@barclaysauers255]

My Dad (gone on now), brothers and I have used Abu round bait casters in the surf since the early 1970's. About 1980 my best (fishing buddy) friend bought the new 'acclaimed' Shimano Bantam 200 one day and felt like hot stuff. Great looking reel and well made. He used it for a year or two but.....well, he sold it and got a new, beautiful black 'Ambassador' that he still has to this day. That, right there, is some fishing story!

[@grizzly4437]

Very interesting story. My uncle was the first to have a 5000 around 1965-66 in Kentucky USA. My Dad bought his in the spring of 1968 that has been passed down to me. I was 15 when l got my first one in 1971 that was a 5000C. Back then they came in a nice box and had a leather case with a wrench a few parts and small plastic bottle of oil. I remember reading the literature about them being made in Sweden. Unfortunately someone stole my 5000C in November 1979. I still had the leather case and contents that l gave my son on his 21st Birthday 5/9/2018. With another 5000C l replaced in 1979 but they discontinued the leather case and contents. Just thought l would share my personal story. I'm now 62👍

[@46bektas]

GRIZZLY44 👍🏼

[@johnechterhoff4791]

This was very informative. Thanks. I have, among many other brands of rods and reels, 33 Ambassadeur reels. I maintain them, clean and lubricate them and have upgraded most of the classics (5500C, etc.) with ceramic spool bearings. These are my finest reels and my love for them started at around 10 years old...I'm 63 now. Thanks for the history. JEE.

[@salamanca1954]

I still have my left-handed Abu Garcia spinning reel from 1969. I have repaired the ratchet a few times, and today it still works as well as it did out of the box. At the time, I didn't know of anyone else making a left-handed spinning reel, so they were my go-to. Much love and many fish with that reel.

[@ropermrmeredith06]

great film!...i've owned an ambassadeur 5000 C since 1971 and it still works perfectly.

[@Northstar-Media]

Abu Cardinal 55 was big with specialist anglers back in the 80s i had Mitchell's 300,a & Match & 208 that i still own & work as good as the day they was bought . Match could do with a repaint.

[@JollyPeanut]

My first" new 'Abu was the 5500c that was along time ago ,watching this video makes me feel like buying another Abu reel....

[@OhioRiverFisherman]

Abu Garcia makes the best of the best rods and reels. When I see Abu, I see durability, quality, beautiful equipment that's made and built to last and catch the biggest fish out there, with no problems.

[@independentthinker.273]

My first Abu was an Ambassadeur C4 5601 date stamped 2007. Which I picked up on eBay in 2020. A few months later I bought another one of the same model. 2 years later I picked up two of the 6601 CB reels. I use my C4s for bass fishing and I use the CB reels for big game striper fishing mounted on two 8 ft Uglystik Catfish Specials, with added power handles from Abu Garcia. I originally had the newer C3s, but found that the CB reel with a thumb bar release was better suited for doing lots of casting. These reels are just phenomenal!

[@Auqalungangler]

And after all this excellence as what seems to be the way of the world these beautiful reels are now not the same some things never change for the better abu reels were one of them sadly.. Now i cherish the 6500cts i have luckily akios knew what these reels were and now do many parts to keep my joys running

[@bignoah808]

wonderful, thank you.. I love my Ambassadeur reel

[@tonykemp4645]

I use my ABU GARICA 10.OOO CL OVER HEAD FISHING REEL ITS LIKE BRAND NEW LOVE THE ABU REELS VERY WELL MADE IN SWEEDEN

[@DrFrankensteam]

I just bought my first Abu bait caster 2 weeks ago. Never owned one before, although it’s not a Ambassadeur, I LOVE it! I’m saving for one, can’t wait to own one!

[@javiervega9055]

Its a great show! Thanks and have fun. Sinceramente desde México.

[@franciscozahradnik8040]

All my reels are Abu. I have like 7. But I always use my reliable 7000 C Synchro. A bit heavy now ( 800 grs) but cast's divinly. And I dont have to worry of the size of my catch. You'll never cut the line if you have patience. You have to love fishing to love Abu. Very good video, but it seem`s I missed the part when they named it Abu.

[@huntingfishingandworkingev5134]

Love my abu’s old and new nothing but the best here

[@lucasmustang66]

Very good documentation and exactly what I searched for. I own 6 ambassadors and am learning them. Cleaning them and using them. Recently catching 15 catfish.

[@dcgilleland]

My Daddy gave me a 5000 four screw in 1964 as a present at age 10. I used it for many decades in freshwater & salt water. Just had it refurbished and it will go to my Grand Daughter when the time comes. ABU Garcia makes the BEST bait casting reels on the market-BAR NONE!!

[@dennisharrison4744]

I like the mid 60s to mid 70s reels iv got 2 ambassadeur 5000 and 2 6000c there a 1970 and a 1971 iv had the 71 model 25 years still like new also. Have 8 or 9 80s eara reels

[@danielmiller5703]

really great

[@karinhuber5818]

so nice!!!

[@Blackduck46]

Have quite a collection myself. My collection is still growing but these days just replacing my old ones with similar in better condition. Starting from Pebecco to mainly year 2000 because way too many models after that. My best is probably the 1992 Gold Collection set in cabinet with matching Cardinal 33 of the same number. But I do have a No1 of the 5000Deluxe that but a few have. I mainly fished with a 9000 that served me well for 20 years. Must have around 150 but lost count.

[@emilybrown8783]

an interesting story

[@46bektas]

Awsome !

[@levi2bear]

very cool

[@cincinnatiking8008]

Great documentary! I have 3 Ambassadeurs and use them for catfishing on the Ohio River

[@isabellawilson6157]

great story

[@Mitchellreelmuseum]

I'm glad you liked it. Thank You...

[@brendaaddington8297]

nice!

[@coldspring624]

I just opened the tackle passed on from my father and uncle...in front of me is a large selection of Abu tackle from the 50s ...some of these Ambassadeur reels look like they were never used. Guess they never will be

[@johnthemachine]

Not everyone on the water is equal. You got guys in 100,000 boats with 25k worth of electronics vs the dude with a Walmart rod and some worms fishing from the bank.

[@patstrzeszewski3240]

i think they should make a video of their beutiful ct beach reels like the ambassadeur chome rocket

[@FatGuyWithAKatana]

I like my little kingfisher 43, can't wait to land a fish with it

[@MisterCee41510]

My step Dad gave me a mind condition Garcia Conolon rod rated for 15-40 lbs. It so nice I dont even want to use it. But feel like that would be doing it a disservice.

[@markburnett9067]

Hello I have a black 5000c with this s/n 58387 do you know what year it might be thanks for any information

[@peteranddorothybowles5428]

I collect the multipliers In fact I picked up a lovely 8000 today In the UK we say If it is made in SWEDEN great If it is not It'll be crap Made out east Don't touch it I've an unused Red 9000 and just look at it The Metalic thick paint Chrome Real quality Today the ones made out east are just NOT ABU REELS as i see them A real shame Come on Abu The green wouldn't want one MAKE THEM IN SWEDEN

[@rmcq1999]

I'd imagine that segment from Australia was Murray cod fishing.

[@tomnewham1269]

It would be barramundi that they would be fishing for. It is Australia's top sporting fish and secondly the video showed a crocodile which are located in the northern parts of Australia the same as barramundi.

[@robertwatson818]

A big magnet might be helpful!!

[@patstrzeszewski3240]

there used to be a person who worked for abu called simon bradbury but they made hi redundant so he left and made the british brand akios

[@shimobeoni8508]

29分27秒は日本人のambassador [故 開口健]先生ですね❗️

[@ArtWilborn]

Pure Fishing should manufacture the Ambassadeur exclusively in Sweden.

[@wjcolon]

The abu record

[@jasarizoran575]

Ciao Wallace, bellissimo video. Grazie per quello e i tutti altri meravigliosi video.

[@brigittebayer6495]

interesting

[@Comrade_Akimov]

hey what's Svartzonker doing there

[@patstrzeszewski3240]

whats ralph lafferty

[@lucasgalvao3546]

Tradução ja

[@user-ne2xb2oo3w]

私は日本人ですが､アブのアンバサダー等は同じ機種を複数所有したくなるのに対して､シマノやダイワのリールは同じ機種は1台あれば充分 性能云々だけでは語れないアブのリールはホントに素晴らしい 日本製のリールは高性能過ぎて面白味でアブには敵わないと思うのです

[@gihide3964]

お

[@SammyandMonica]

Abu Garcia has the worst customer service ever! Oh and all the new reels are made with cheap parts so beware!!!

[@saintjohnny1]

Joe harvey you must have been the one to give this s thumbs down.

[@davidstinson5095]

They are all mostly built that way you know little China little Japanese and so on etc

[@Comrade_Akimov]

the opening statement isn't true on 2023 any more

[@Gator1699]

I have the 5000 made in Sweden got it 2007 or 8 got it from Kmart Melb Au I returned a bait caster combo I paid $40 She says go an exchange it for another I returned and told her there all gone well go and pick something else so grabbed the 5000 thinking I would have to pay the extra $ she said no you can have it as an exchange it was over $100 yeeehaaaa. 🐊

[@Mitchellreelmuseum]

I’ve never heard that before! I think you lucked out, but interesting experience for sure. Thanks for sharing 😅