I bought some really inexpensive reels (shakespeare and cabela's) the first season. Then upgraded the next year (to Daiwa 47LC and Satist's)...i retired the cheap stuff for spring browns. So, it cost me more in the long run! Now, i'd probably buy the new Daiwa 57LC or Seagate (to get the high gear ratio for just over $100). And load it up with a bunch of 40 lbs big game for backing...then 1,000 ft of wire.