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Posts: 57
Location: Racine WI | Anybody remember the Ambassadeur reels with the variable drag? You set it like normal, but if you turned the handle backward, you could back the tension down to about 1/3 the setting, and restore it by cranking forward again. Seemed like a great idea if you got a hit at boatside: no need to freespool, thumb, and re-engage. I bought a couple, and still use them some, but have never gotten a decent-sized fish on them. they were only on the market a short time. Was that because they were just unpopular, or was there a design flaw that's going to have me picking gearteeth out of my beard if a big mama hits? Anybody with reel repair experience wanna give me some advice? |
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Posts: 938
Location: NeverNever Lake | Mike, could you post the model #? I would like to check out the schematics on it. . . . . . . . . . ... . .. . ... .................................. Thanks, RaZe
Edited by RAZE1 2/23/2004 5:49 PM
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Posts: 440
| I think you are talking about the Snycro-Drag reels. I have a bass sized one, the XLT plus with the Syncro. I can't get the drag to lock down tight enough for flipping but it works fine for spinnerbaits and cranks. I think the idea is good but it seems to me that it goes from tight to real loose in a hurry. |
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Posts: 2089
| I've got a 7000c Syncro that I've had since they came out. Been awhile. I've been using it for a sucker reel and have no complaints. Doesn't get a lot of use but has served it's purpose.Biggest fish using it was a 47" a few years ago and the drag system worked well. Steve |
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Posts: 57
Location: Racine WI | It's a 3500 C SynchroDrag. |
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Posts: 57
Location: Racine WI | Originally written by Steve Jonesi on 2004-02-23 10:11 PM
I've got a 7000c Syncro that I've had since they came out. Been awhile. I've been using it for a sucker reel and have no complaints. Doesn't get a lot of use but has served it's purpose.Biggest fish using it was a 47" a few years ago and the drag system worked well. Steve
A SUCKER reel, huh. Hope that's not a pun. Your post, though encouraging, still leaves me wondering: What do you use as your main reel(s) if the Synchro doesn't get a lot of use, and why doesn't it? Thanks! |
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Posts: 2089
| The only reason that reel is relegated to sucker duty is that the other 7000's I have actually match the rods I'm throwing. Purly aesthetics.I also throw Calcuttas. Good solid reel. Steve |
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Posts: 1516
| Could be a Syncro or an Auto Shift. I just sent my Syncro back to the factory cause I couldn't get the drag to tighten down. Waiting to see what they can do for me. The Auto shift works ok but will sometimes shift when working a heavy bait |
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| Misermike,I have 5 syncro's two 5500C's & three 6500C's,why so many they just sort of found a home over the years. some of the drags work better then the other's,but they all work and Im not afraid to use them anytime on any fish. two of my best fish came on syncro's a 50'er out of Cave Run and a 52'er out of Ontario. Just back of the drag and let them run. I whould like to see a all new syncro to come out built on the C-4. ( My favorite reel). They have to work on the drag if they whant to sell any new Syncro type reel as the guys just wont buy them. (GATA-GOFGR-(8) MARV |
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Posts: 578
Location: Sheboygan Falls, WI | I worked on many of Syncro's and replaced a fair share as well. Either you liked the feature or you hated it is what we found; no grey area here. A good concept that many people did not understand the functionings of. For the most part, it is just a 5500, 6500 or what ever size reel with the "variable" drag you are talking about.
Although it was not a very popular reel for most fishermen, it still was a quality reel. The drag system is solid, as long as you back off of the drag, like any other reel, the whole system should work fine for a long, long time. There are 2 prongs that stick down and engage and disengage the drag feature. Those would wear down sometimes from use or placing too much torque on the system.
If you get accustomed to it, I would stick with it. If you have other "normal" operating reels and switch back and forth, be aware of the drag differences and what the handle does; it could cost you that fish of a life time.
Just my 2 pennies worth,
Chuck |
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Is my reel a disaster waiting to happen?