Found an old Gem in the attic - 2500C

[skrimmy]

I found an old gem in the attic last night I forgot I had, an Ambassadeur 2500C in great condition. Anyone ever use these for steelheading? It's from a past lifetime when I bass fished (lived down south in other words). It seems that it would be well suited to drift fishing, yes??

[Dangerous_Dave]

That really sounds like a gem. I'd give it a try. Nothing to lose.

[husker]

skrimmy-...i dont have a clue about your reel except to say.....can it hold say 100 yards of 12#.....if it can, i would use it......ambassaduers can take almost anything u can dish out

[skrimmy]

Thanks Ron! From what I can tell in searching the web, it holds about 95 yards of 10#. With some of the thinner lines out there now it'll probably hold a bit more than that I'm guessing. Either way, it's going to Ollie Damons for a checkup (I think the drag needs a bit of work) and it's going into active duty SOON!

[Cohodependent]

You could put a lot of Power Pro of what ever weight you wanted. It will be a great reel.

[luguando]

Skrimmy,

Just for kicks, look that reel up on eBay and see what other folks are willing to pay for it. You'll probably want to hang on to that one!

[skrimmy]

Luguando, thanks! No intention of ever parting with this jewel anyways! It was my fathers and has far too much sentimental value to even think about parting with it! But it's time for me to put it back into service! It's in awesome shape, hasn't seen daylight in well over 15 years. My dad and I used to Bass fish with it, that's all it's ever been used for. My eyes lit right up when I came across it last night!

[fishisabonus]

Cool find! I did that this summer.. found several reels that were my Dad's. I showed them to a fellow ifisher and he wanted to buy them from me. I told him that if they were that great, I was keeping them!

[skrimmy]

I stopped by Ollie Damons after work and they carry parts for these little gems! Spent about $3 for new drag washers and the reel is just like new! I can't wait to try it out this next week. Thanks for the inquiries both here and via email, but I don't think I'll ever part with the reel! They don't make them like this one anymore.

[fop]

The 2500c was a pretty good reel back in the old days. I have used them alot but with 8# mainline. Caugh many big Steelhead on them. Ya, some small ones too!!!

Didn't know that you could still get parts for them.

I have about 3-2500's and even a 1500c if ya can remember that reel. The same but a little narrower in width.

The only thing I can remember about them is when drifting with eggs the egg goop gets into the side of the spool and needs to get wiped out once in a while or it won't cast worth an darn.

I think I used to buy them from Pro Bass for about $35.00 each.

fop

[parthur]

I picked one up at a garage sale 2 years ago and it's by far the best steelhead reel I've ever run across. 1st fish hooked was a 25# Nook and it handled beautifully. It outfishes any Shimano I've ever had [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

[ 12-16-2002, 06:12 PM: Message edited by: parthur ]

[Perfect Drift]

I have three 2500's, I love them all. Use them for smallmouth, largemouth, salmon and steelhead, shad, I really like the small size and they cast so well. Bought my first one at the Sportsman Show from Doug Lamear in about '72.

[Charlie]

I am fortunate to have a 2500 c that my old
fishing buddy gave me, as I sold the two I had
about 10 years ago, all so I was left by another old fishing buddy a 200 shimmono and
a 300 both in excellent condition. The 2500 and
the 200 are now on my 10 ft.drift rods, and the
300 on my 9 ft.plug rod.

My friend has another 2500c and he might sell
it so if anyone is interested in it let me know.
email cutzc@worldstar.com

Charlie

[wiser]

The old grey reel, she ain't what she used to be many long years ago.... She's better..

[ 12-16-2002, 08:45 PM: Message edited by: Wiser? ]

[Bill Monroe]

They're terrible reels...just awful things...break down constantly and would never hold a steelhead...too small...pot metal...bearings are plastic...don't hold enough line...You'll always have problems...I should know, I've got three of the !?@%$#! things on steelhead rods.

Wanna sell it?

[skrimmy]

Well, thanks for the glowing review Bill! Now I just have to match it to a rod that's worthy of such a fine piece of craftsmanship! It will get it's first use in over 15 years soon and I'm looking forward to using it during the steelhead challenge.