Goose, it looks like there is a lot of information and agreement on the reels. I have to agree that the drag on the new Diawa may not cinch down all the way but I also prefer to run a litte light on the drag and thumb a bit when i need to. I have an old Diawa procaster and I love it, it's over fourteen years old and needs a little tlc which I am getting in order. That is the main reason I bought the Diawa, it's a more ergonomic version of the procaster....and the Calcutta TE (which I think is a better reel that the 251) is not available in a left hand drive. That is my $.02.