Cheeky Ambush 375 Fly Reel Review

When we tested the Cheeky Mojo in our 8-weight Shootout, it was one of the first reviews of a Cheeky reel. Its bright colors reflected its performance and guides across the globe now have them in their boats. Since the Mojo did really well the first time around, we wanted to check and see how it's smaller brother, the Cheeky Ambush 375, would do as a trout reel. 5-Weight Shootout Full Results

WEIGHT

6.55 ounces. While the Mojo was on the lighter side, the Ambush was the heaviest reel in this test and far too heavy for a 9' 5-weight rod.

DRAG

The Ambush has a whopping 5.44lbs of drag. While not the strongest in the test, more than enough for even the biggest browns. The drag didn't have too much start-up inertia, but it wasn't exactly best in class either (.52 lbs).

DRAG TEST GRAPH

SOUND

The Ambush sounds great, but it's a little softer than I'd like.

SPOOL & RETRIEVAL RATE

Where the Mojo had a really great spool design, the Ambush was just a little better than average. Its retrieve was still fast at 7.7 in. per turn, but not as fast as the much lighter Hardy DD. One place the Ambush did stand out was in volume - it can hold a whopping 225 yards of backing - enough for a 7-weight.

LOOK & FEEL

We loved the looks of the Mojo in our 8-weight shootout. This year, they sent us an Ambush that lacked the characteristic 'bold' looks that Cheeky has become known for. It's still got a solid feel though we wish it were crafted here instead of overseas, but you can't have everything.

Ergonimics

Handle: The handle is flat and features a carbon fiber accent - it's pretty comfortable, but not the best we've tested. It's a little too thick too be in the top of its class. Drag Knob: Not as easy to grab as some of the top drag knobs, out there, but the constant torque is a nice feature. Spool Change: Quick change spool with a screw-on cap.

THE DROP

Average. The Cheeky did really well against dragging (partially due to its light color), and the scarring wasn't really noticeable, however when dropped, it had some major divoting. The lesson here is, if you care about how your Cheeky looks, don't drop it. No Damage.

WARRANTY

Lifetime to the original owner + $40 fee. Price: $360

CONCLUSION

When we asked for a 5-weight, Cheeky sent us the Ambush, which is really more of a 7-weight reel, than a 5. Unfortunately, the Strike, while smaller, isn't that much lighter, which was our main complaint with the Ambush. Cheeky is also a new company, and they did such a great job on the Mojo, we wish that some of that modern design spilled over into the trout sizes.

PROS

• Strong drag
• Better-than-average spool design

CONS

• Without the bright paint job, it doesn't stand out in the crowd
• Far too heavy