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Started By
Message
Better snapper reel: Shimano Tekota 500/600 or Ambassadeur 7000iC3?
Posted on 4/9/14 at 9:04 am
Posted on 4/9/14 at 9:04 am
I am looking for any OBers with experience with the Shimano Tekota 500 or 600 vs an Ambassadeur 7000 series reel. The application will be primarily mangrove snapper fishing, some red snapper fishing, and occasionally diamond jigging for blackfin. The reel will be on a 7'9" Heavy/Fast Action 15-40# rod.
Here are the specs on the three reels:
Tekota 500: 40# braid/390 yds, 18# max drag, $170
Tekota 600: 40# braid/515 yds, 18# drag, $170
Ambassadeur 7000iC3: 30# braid/630 yds, 17# drag, $150
I am most concerned about the durability of the drag system on the ambassadeur 7000. I have experience with a Tekota 500, but was hoping for a little better casting ability so was looking into the Ambassadeur 7000 iC3. Trying to keep this around $150, so most other quality level-wind options (Revo Toro NaCl, Shimano Tranx, Daiwa Lexa 400, Calcutta 400/700, etc...) are outside of my budget.
Here are the specs on the three reels:
Tekota 500: 40# braid/390 yds, 18# max drag, $170
Tekota 600: 40# braid/515 yds, 18# drag, $170
Ambassadeur 7000iC3: 30# braid/630 yds, 17# drag, $150
I am most concerned about the durability of the drag system on the ambassadeur 7000. I have experience with a Tekota 500, but was hoping for a little better casting ability so was looking into the Ambassadeur 7000 iC3. Trying to keep this around $150, so most other quality level-wind options (Revo Toro NaCl, Shimano Tranx, Daiwa Lexa 400, Calcutta 400/700, etc...) are outside of my budget.
2
Posted on 4/9/14 at 9:06 am to The Last Coco
Shimano tekota easily
Posted on 4/9/14 at 9:07 am to OhFace55
If they're the same price, 600.
Posted on 4/9/14 at 9:08 am to OhFace55
quote:
Shimano tekota easily
Do you have experience with the Ambassadeur or just with the Tekota? I know the Tekota can handle it fine, but the casting precision I may need for pitching mangrove baits at the rig isn't quite what I want on a Tekota.
Posted on 4/9/14 at 9:17 am to The Last Coco
If I was you, just save another month or 2 and go buy a Calcutta, then call it a day and drink beer.
I've fished for everything, save for YFT, with a Calcutta and it can handle alot, save for a YFT and probably a fat-arse grouper or AJ.
Very fine reel, I can pitch or cast with it relatively easily.
I've fished for everything, save for YFT, with a Calcutta and it can handle alot, save for a YFT and probably a fat-arse grouper or AJ.
Very fine reel, I can pitch or cast with it relatively easily.
Posted on 4/9/14 at 9:25 am to MadtownTiger
I have experience with both. The tekota can winch big snapper out the platform. If you want something to pitch for mangroves as well then get a spinning reel. The penn spinfisher is always recommended or I will personally recommend the quantum cabo 80. I can horse a 20+ red snapper with it and pitch at mangroves with no problem.
Posted on 4/9/14 at 9:36 am to MadtownTiger
quote:
If I was you, just save another month or 2 and go buy a Calcutta,
I just don't get offshore often enough to justify the money on a calcutta. Living in Shreveport the past 4 years has seriously put a damper on that.
quote:
If you want something to pitch for mangroves as well then get a spinning reel.
Got a couple of those already. Much prefer baitcasters/conventional reels for the mangrove application. Just not accurate enough with the spinning gear. Is the ambassadeur just not enough arse to winch fish out?
I guess what I want to know is WHY doesn't the 7000 work for those applications. Simlar drag rating, line capacity, gear ratio, line recovery rate, so what is keeping it from performing just as well as a Tekota?
This post was edited on 4/9/14 at 9:37 am
Posted on 4/9/14 at 9:39 am to The Last Coco
There just seems to be more arse end on the tekota. The ambassadors feel like the gears slip when you are trying to pull a big one out of the platform.
Posted on 4/9/14 at 9:40 am to OhFace55
If you dont target big snapper then get the ambassador.
Posted on 4/9/14 at 9:42 am to OhFace55
quote:
There just seems to be more arse end on the tekota. The ambassadors feel like the gears slip when you are trying to pull a big one out of the platform.
Awesome. That's what I needed to hear. Tekota it is then. Next question is 500 or 600... 390yds of 40# braid should be plenty with the 500, but spooling up with 50# braid I could probably get the same yardage on the 600.
Posted on 4/9/14 at 10:31 am to The Last Coco
I've fished Tarpon with both a Amassadeur 7000 and a Calcutta 700. I don't think the Calcutta is worth the extra price.
I've never used my 7000 for Snapper though.I usually will bring it for Cobia. I've only ever spooled it with 30# mono and you don't get enough line on it for snapper. I don't like putting braid, because I cast with it a lot and I'm not perfect. I still get the occasional backlash when casting with a 6'+ leader.
I have used a little larger Tekota's for snapper. I liked them more than TLD's
I've never used my 7000 for Snapper though.I usually will bring it for Cobia. I've only ever spooled it with 30# mono and you don't get enough line on it for snapper. I don't like putting braid, because I cast with it a lot and I'm not perfect. I still get the occasional backlash when casting with a 6'+ leader.
I have used a little larger Tekota's for snapper. I liked them more than TLD's
This post was edited on 4/9/14 at 10:42 am
Posted on 4/9/14 at 10:36 am to KG6
bookmarking this page for later 
Posted on 4/9/14 at 10:36 am to OhFace55
quote:
The ambassadors feel like the gears slip when you are trying to pull a big one out of the platform.
I've seen 7000's catch 150+ lb fish. It's all about the type of fight. I would not have a problem fighting any snapper with it.
Posted on 4/9/14 at 10:47 am to KG6
quote:
I've seen 7000's catch 150+ lb fish. It's all about the type of fight. I would not have a problem fighting any snapper with it.
Well damn. Back to square 1. I generally think most people over-power their gear and I like the fight, but I don't want to lose lots of fish because I'm trying to whip rig donkeys on a fairy wand with a zebco.
Posted on 4/9/14 at 10:54 am to The Last Coco
Wouldn't want to hook an AJ with one, but it wouldn't freak me out either. It would suck having 200 ft of line out with a 7000.
But, like you said, people overkill with drag. I've seen 150 lb tarpon caught on 7000's with 6-8 lbs of drag. You use the rod to fight the fish, not the drag. I watched the show Flats Class the other day and the guy caught a 60 lb tarpon on 12lb line and a baitcaster. Took the drag off and thumbed it. It's all about technique and turning the fish's head. You do however have a little less control when fighting a fish that wants to run straight down.
But, like you said, people overkill with drag. I've seen 150 lb tarpon caught on 7000's with 6-8 lbs of drag. You use the rod to fight the fish, not the drag. I watched the show Flats Class the other day and the guy caught a 60 lb tarpon on 12lb line and a baitcaster. Took the drag off and thumbed it. It's all about technique and turning the fish's head. You do however have a little less control when fighting a fish that wants to run straight down.
Posted on 4/9/14 at 10:59 am to KG6
quote:
It would suck having 200 ft of line out with a 7000.
Eh, if spooled with 40# braid you could probably fit almost 500 yards of it (listed capacity of 630 yds of 30# braid) so having 200' out wouldn't be a problem.
Of course I wouldn't be targeting AJs with it, but like you said I think I could catch one if I hooked it and could manage to get it away from the rig. This would be mainly targeting mangroves, red snapper, and blackfin, none of which routinely exceed 25#. We have plenty of other, heavier gear for deep dropping for grouper, AJ's, or targetting YFT, so me hooking a larger species on this set-up would be incidental, not intentional.
Posted on 4/9/14 at 11:10 am to The Last Coco
Thats a lot of reel for an 11 day season.... 
Posted on 4/9/14 at 11:56 am to Itismemc
quote:
Thats a lot of reel for an 11 day season....
That's actually why I am moving more into mangrove gear. With red snapper off the table often times, I want to still be able to fill the fish box which correlates to catching mangroves, bee-liners, trigger fish, lane snapper, etc... and this set-up is light enough to effectively target those species but heavy enough to handle a red should it be in season.
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