Chaser, I am more concerned about pulling the gear up with the halibut on it instead of with nothing on it. I am sure the Diawas are great reels too. I have pulled 50# halibut up in water 650'+ deep. I don't think I would have wanted a higher gear ratio for that. In fact one of my reels has the great big crank winch handle to slow it down even more. No matter how you look at it it is all work but fun work. I catch quite a bit of halibut every year and am going to really look forward to my new electric reel.