I've mainly used Diawa Rods and Reels since in 1980's. My older 47lc's really worked double what I thought their lifetime should have been. After I retired them, I went with Saltists....
The line counter is absolutely right on your arm when your fighting a fish..... But the high speed gears are definelty an asset...allow me to explain...
When running slide cheaters...when the rod pops and there is a ton of slack, the high speed reel is amazing with how fast you can gain tight line on the fish. I noticed I have a greater catch rate on cheater bites with the newer reels. Another bonus is, if you have a smoker on in heavy traffic and have to make an aggressive maneuver, getting line back is much easier.... I've done this a bunch of times to keep guys from cutting off the fish.
Rods.... I've run the Old Great Lakes Systems and now the 8ft Heartlands. I like they have a decent back bone and are really tough. I've only broke one rod in my lifetime.... Diawa is resurrecting the Old Great Lakes Systems Rods, so I will probably change over to them.... They were a great stick.
I've owned just about every reel on the market..... As far as Rigger rods and reels, I keep going back to the diawas.... Spring is right around the corner....