Save yourself the argument next time, just buy a quality rod AND reel. The amount of money you spend may hurt in the beginning, but buying a Loomis rod and a top quality reel will last forever. Most people don't have enough time to fish enough to wear either one out. Your amount of enjoyment will increase greatly when you only have to deal with YOUR screw-ups, and not your equipment's screw-ups as well. So, save a little longer, work a little more, and buy both. Plus, if you ever decide to focus your hobby time somewhere else(I have no idea why!), your top notch equipment is still worth good money to someone else.