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I have always fished Ambassadeurs. And in the process, have killed a whole heck of a lot of fish over the years with these reels. If it ain't broke...

After thinking about it for a pretty good while, and thinking I wanted something lower profile with less line capacity (trout, reds and bass not exactly having solid reputations as drag burners), and finding out there were some recent upgrades made to this reel, I went out yesterday and bought a Citica 200D to try out.

Went wade fishing for a few hours yesterday afternoon. Caught 4 trout on a 7M Mirrolure, 2 keepers, 2 shorts, all after 8 pm. But that wasn't really the purpose of this trip.

Holy jumpin' Jehoshaphat (a king of Juda in the mid-ninth century BC). This real is smooooth compared to a worn out Ambassadeur. And when properly adjusted for the weight of the lure, will throw backlash free, even into the wind, with no thumb. Haven't caught anything big enough to try out the drag yet, but I expect that to be as smooth as the rest of this reel. However, I found out trying the no thumb trick with all the brakes pushed in will backlash this reel like a mighty dawg. What did I think would happen?

I really like the ease of which the VBS can be adjusted and the fact that the sideplate is retained.

So now what do I do with my left thumb? If I don't consciously keep it off the reel during the cast, it wants to ride the spool.

What do ya'll think of the Citica?

I think you would have been equally impressed with the Ambassadeur REVO. Maybe more impressed.

Thanks JT. I'll take a look at the REVO.

Another thing I'm thinking of doing is taking my old 5500s and 6500s to Johnny Rivers. I'll have him rebuild them and see if he can give them the upgrades the newer models have with the carbon matrix drag and six pin centrifugal brake. I've got some rods that need to go to him anyway.

Another thing I've tried recently is a longer (7'), softer rod with slower action. Not sure if I like this or not. It's more forgiving in that it's not as easy to tear the hooks out a a trout's mouth. But it's more difficult for me to work a lure the way I want. It's easier for me to walk the dog with a topwater with a shorter, stiffer rod with faster action.

I am sold on Shimano.I bought my first Citica back in 94 when I was 18 and it still is as smooth as it was when I bought it. It was the first high priced reel I had bought and still use it all the time. I have since gained a cronarch and a calcutta they are nice but I don't think I would put another $270 in a reel. I have a 5000A that my father bought back in the 70's that is still smooth as silk just a little heavy .The revo is a good reel (I hope) because I bought one this week. I have not used it yet but we'll know soon. So until I use the REVO I'll say "in my opinion" the Citica is the best value for the money as far as baitcasters go.