I also like the ambassadors. I have several 5501's (left handed) and have had good luck with them. They need to be kept clean because sand often enters the reel via the line and can cause major havoc on the gears and the drag. I buy mine at GI Joes and have taken one back for an exchange, no questions asked. My buddy stuck his thumb in the level wind when a plug hung up, the boat was trying to run down stream over the top of the rod, he saved the rod but his thumb didn't do well.