I have a c-4 and two c-3's I use the c-4 for plunking mainly and it seems to be a great reel for that application but I still prefer to use my c-3's when back bouncing :twocents:

 

:agree:

 

C3s are the worker bees for all things salmon...My C4 is on my bobber rod because of its fast retrieve...

 

Hate the thumbar. Crackered a few fish setting the hook.

 

::yeahthat:

 

c3 is the best but the c4 would be even greater if it where not for the thumb bar. its to easy to hit well i thumb my fish witch most people do.

 

I use both, and prefer the C4.
If you have a tendency to thumb the spool on your baitcasters, then you may want to opt for the C3.

 

c3, if you need something smoother and want a thumb bar, get a calcutta. i had a c4 for my bobber rod, the memory is very short, like the reels life. i had to put new gears in it at less than a season and put the winch gears in it. it was better, but what's the need?

 

I have had issues with the C4's. I have 15 C3's and have had no issues.

 

I like the c3's fine. When I stepped up, I got me a couple of Shimano Cardiffs which are great reels.

 

I have all three -6601 C4 / thumb bar -- 6501 C4 / push button -- 6500 C3 / push button. Prefer the thumb bar when trolling and the push button when on the hook. all good reels including my 5601 C4 I use @ Sellwood for Springers.:twocents:

 

I have both the c3 and c4 but my c4's don't have the thumb bar. I like both reels for all salmon apPlications. :twocents:

 

The only diff (besides the thumb bar) on a C4 is the bearing in the levelwind shaft, and you can always buy this later and put it on your C3 making it a C4 , a lot of people do this so they have a C4 without a thumb bar.

 

There's another key difference between the two models. The C3 is configured with a 5.3:1 gear ratio and the C4 is configured with a 6.3:1 gear ratio.

 

Went to Bob's to check them both out and they also suggested the"Record 61". Price is going up and I cant afford the Calcuta but this needs to be an all purpose reel so Im not sure. I bought the "Revo 61" and like the thumb bar on that but it is much lower. The c4 and record thumb bars are almost in the way. I can definately see a nest on its way. Looking like the c3 is going to be the choice. Anyone selling any of these around Kelso?

 

The thum bar on the C4 pops right off. The positive of the C4 is the higher gear ratio. If you are drift fishing it saves a lot of wear and tear on your wrist. The negative is I wear through gears and palls a lot faster on the C4. If you are back bouncing or trolling, I believe both reels are about equal.

 

Find yourself a good used C3 or similar model. You can always add bearings and gears to make it whatever you want. Ambassaduers are pretty much industructable and they still make parts for ones made 50 years ago.