I can cast 1/8 oz weights w/ a Chronarch and thin 10lb mono, and have absolutely no problem w/ floats and jigs. The difference in smoothness (and comfort given its low profile) between the Chronarch and the Calcutta makes me reach for the Chronarch every time (as long as line capacity isn't a factor!).

But the reel I've got my eye on is a Shimano Scorpion. I don't even know if it's hit the US yet -- the box I've seen is in Japanese. It has a titanium spool that spins when you breath on it. It's so silky smooth you'd think it came off a teenage girl. I've not fished the Scorpion -- just held it in my hand and drooled. I thought it was too expensive, but at $20 more than Bass Pro or Cabela's charges for a Chronarch, I just might give it a whirl before the next salmonid trip. (I'm sufficiently excited, I'm going to go down to the store at lunch and buy the sucker. Just have to hide it from the wife -- the reels all stay in their gray Shimano bags and I'm careful not to display any more than 3 at once so she doesn't know I've got 5 in all. Hey, I'm a gear junky. What can I say?).

I have no idea if either the Chronarch or Scorpion offers a fast retrieve ratio. Probably not based on how fast I have to crank when a steelie swims at me.

I live in Singapore and can help you get a deal on either the Chronarch or Scorpion by putting you in touch with the local fishing tackle shops (they all have Email and will deal direct with you using Visa or Mastercard plus a 3% surcharge for taking the card or you can send an international money order which is more pain than it's worth).

The locals quote very, very cheap prices (e.g. $130 for a Chronarch and $220 for the Scorpion). If these prices seem too good to be true, they probably are: with the Yen now very strong against the dollar, the next shipment is going to be a higher price (while still likely to be far below US retail).

I've bought about 10 reels in total for personal use and for friends, and have never had a problem with the shops and the reels. And while I can't guarantee these guys won't cheat you, if they don't perform let me know. As one of their biggest customers my friends and I can bring some pressure to bear on them if something is wrong.

I've not used the tackle stores to ship to the States, but on this count you have two alternatives (other than FedEx): send uninsured 'Letter Post' and it arrives in 7 days (and costs $5 a reel), or ship International Parcel Post insured wait 3 weeks (and pay $10/ reel) but it's insured. To my knowledge, no duty is payable.

The reels come w/ US warranty cards (don't know if sending a reel to Shimano USA w/ a Singapore sales voucher would work very well). On the off chance you needed service under warranty, you might be out of luck.