it seems you have made up your mind already, but i think you should take a look at a daiwa slx20 the new ones have spools that dissengage. this makes for a much smoother cast and much less wear. i have an sl40 on my calstar 900 that i use for throwing jigs in the ocean and i throw swimbaits with that just as much as with my ambassadeur 6000c. i think an sl20 is the perfect size reel, plus it has a 6;1 gear ratio and is built extremely tough.
maybe just another one to look at when your in the shop.