[ezamora]

from what i've gathered from testimonials of real world use, the higher quality in the manufacturing process, proven-design, quality of material, reputation/longevity of the company and it's attention to details and most importantly, the reliability of the reel in big fish situations is what sets abels (and the few others in that category) apart from other MUCH less-expensive reels.

don't let the high price force you into believing you NEED reels of this caliber but if you can afford it, i would imagine the reel would last a very long time, long enough to hand it down to others once you've left this world.

since i do not have reels of this caliber (sticking to $250 and under, and even then, bought used when talking about the higher priced onces i own), i am purely speculating from what i've read.

eric
fresno, ca.