I am in the market for a new baitcasting reel and am having trouble getting past the hype. I "THINK" I have narrowed it down to two reels. The Shimano chronarch 100A and the Abu Garcia ambassadeur 6600 d5. I have heard lots of good things about both. If anybody has any experience with either reel or has any advice that would be great. Also, if anybody has a suggestion about another reel I should consider please feel free to enlighten me. I would greatly apperciate it!!! I am going to mount my new reel on a 7 foot Shimano Clarus rod with medium action and a fast taper with 12-17 or 20 pound test if possible. Thank you for your help saving a fellow fisherman from the black hole of retail!!!

Personally I did not care for the Abu D5. I started using baitcasters about 1 year ago and I like to be able to adjust the cast control. If I am not mistaken the D5 did not have one. It comes with just one dial. Also, the D5 seemed to be a lot more prone to backlashes compared to a catala or a millionaire-s.
Just my 2 cents on the D5.

I've fished some Abu's in the past but not the D5's so I couldn't give you an accurate comparison. I've converted to nothing but Shimanos since then and have been happy with them. Don't know what applications you'll be using it for but if line capacity is not an issue i'd pay the extra few dollars and get the Chronarch 100sf. That thing will outcast the 100a hands down.

Not familiar with either one but I found a review of the Chronarch for you.

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewshimanochronarch.shtm

Dan

I would go with the Shimano they offer the best service in the industry I think should you need it. I would opt to spend the extra money and get the CH100SF it does cast a lot easier and further.Shimano is the way to go I own several of them and they have never let me down.Just remember you get what you pay for!

I don't know any about ABU Garcia except that they are owned by Pure Fishing (Berkley). I have had a little experience with Pure Fishing's customer service and wasn't too impressed. If their reel service is anything like some of their other departments I'd pass on the Garcia.

The bottom line is most companies make good reels but so far I haven't found anyone who can touch Shimano's service.

I own both brand reels (an Abu C4 and a Shimano cardiff 300 series). I've owned the garcia for about ten years and fought some good fish and had no problems. I have just recently purchased the cardiff and only used it once but it is also nice. I pretty much do all the servicing myself so I'm not familiar with the customer service but I'm sure the shimano is better as far as that goes but if your on a budget you can't go wrong with Abu Garcia.

I am not familair with the D5 but I used to use ABU for years. Then I made the switch over to Shimano and will never go back. Shimano is one of the best reels out there and the customer service is the best I have experienced. I now own 10-12 shimano reels ranging from (3)Stradic 1000's for the spinning reels and (5)curado 200's, and (1) Chronarch SF100 and just recently purchased a Japanese made Shimano Scorpion MG 1000SF and today just ordered two more Chronarch SF100's. So as you can see I have a lot of money invested in my reels and I have never had a probable with any of them. So dollar for dollar go with Shimano you won't be sorry.