If price is not a matter, Van Staal makes a VERY nice spinning reel. Penn also has good heavy spinning reels. Cheaper but still good are the Okuma spinning. If going level wind I would try the 310, 320, 321 GTI's. I have a 321GTI and never had a problem. I have heard the Okuma levels are good too but never used one yet. The old Alvey reels are direct drive "knuckle busters" but can throw a weight half way across the world. I saw one toss 8 ounces of lead some 700 feet on a TV show one time. THAT was a Columbia River cast if I ever saw one. My best toss has only been across the Chehalis at Friend's Landing, which is still a long ways. I was using a 15 foot rod and a Shakespear Reel. Sucks now because I finally busted my rod. Stay away from the Eagle Claw and Diawa reels I have gone through several of each. About one a year when I used them.