Ive fished with loomis Gl3s for a while now and I think there great, mine are custom built (thanks to TH custom rods) he builds a quality rod, I wont buy 1 of these over the counter because I dont think the quality is still there, TH has also built me a rainshadow , and Im very excited about this one, especially when the rod builder is very sold on it. As for reels Ive had shimano reels they are very good a little spendy I also have an abu morrum great reel a little heavy and spendy, My favorite all around reel is an abu ultra cast 6500, this reel is incredible great casting, and awsome retreive power, and thats what you want in a reel, and its about 100.00$$ alot cheaper than a calcutta. and pound for pound just as strong I think.