If it wasn't for the awesome reputation I would never have picked up an Ambassadeur. But I think that reputation was built on reels made more then 5 years ago. Once my confidence in a brand is lost, its hard to spend good money on their products.

TICA is ok. Have some experience with the Caimen. Its probably worth the money.

Okuma reels are eagerly invited to go have intercourse with the engineers who design them. Even at discount prices I wouldn't touch them again.

Lastly, just because I don't like Abu's reels doesn't mean I think any less of the people who use them. I gave them a 2 year trial because I many of the anglers who I watched catching all the fish were using that brand.

Tight lines
vince