I totally agree with Taylor. I have three Curado Super-Frees and 3 Stradics. I've tried many different reels, but Shimano is all I use anymore. They are pricey ($160 for the Super-Frees and $120 for the Stradics). I would have saved money if I would have bought these originally instead of the circular junk laying on my garage bench.

In my opinion, the high quality is more important in casting than in spinning reels. A quality spinner is sweet on the retrieve; however, a cheap spinning reel without a fancy low friction spool lip will cast almost as far as a really pricey one. With casting reels the difference in casting distance is like night and day. If you get a cheap casting reel, and then have the oppurtunity to try a quality one you will probably end up upgrading later.

Try Bass World West in Santa Ana to check out reels. They have a demo for every model they sell mounted on cut-off rods in holders at the front counter.

Try some flourocarbon line if you plan on using jigs, Spoons, plastics, or drop-shotting. The lack of stretch really helps you feel every touch. After soaking 30' or 40' of monofilament for an hour or two it will soak up water and get really stretchy. You can move the rod tip a foot or so and never lift the bait, It's all line stretch.

I like Seagaur. Everybody tells me that Yamamoto Sugoi is the best, but it costs nearly 25 cents a yard
NoTrollMotor