[FontaineRods]

i've used ambassadeur 7000s for years on jetties, occasionally in the surf, and on the boat. the key to that class of reel is replace the stock washers with some smooothie or extreme smooothie washers. if you have a "C3" or "CS" model, you need to occasionally oil the bearings. if the reel "whines" when you cast, your bearings are dry. i clean my drags about once a month or so, depending on how much the reel is fished. bearings get oiled about every other week depending on use also. i prefer 7000's mainly because i can thumb the side of the spool, which is important if you fish braid and dont want to burn your thumb. many other casting reels dont have that lip exposed and you need to thumb the line on the spool. i have fished squidders, but dont care for the "hum" they make when casting, they are heavy (unless you can find after market newell spools and braces), and i dont like to manually flip over the clutch after casting.

maybe pete (or the shop) can consider stocking smoothie components for 6500 and 7000/7500 class reels.