Just a suggestion, before you buy a shimano, Which I do have to say, are a smooth reel, however, My general experience with shimano, is that unless it is over $200, it will wear out on you before you would expect... So far the BEST reel for the money that I have found, is the new Ambassadeur UC 5501 or whatever... It's the Ultra cast model, silver with gold trim... It's ALMOST the smoothest reel I have found... Check it out.. They retail around $130, and they don't wear out! hehe! Or you could look a little bit more expensive and get the Morrum series... That's another entire ballgame though =)

Tom