I can't cuss goods of repute.

(Ask my Wife)

I would also suggest the Shimano reels are going to serve you better long term.
I tend to burn through drags heavily fishing Sturgeon 100+ days a year, Penns will give you a season at best before drag replacement, Shimano TLD's and Tekotas 4 times that.

The saying you get what you pay for is spot on in this case.

Not many. I'd like to try a few more out to see what all the fuss is about.

I know nothing of big game salt water action, as the gear being used is off the charts crazy! All those tournament marlin and shark and tuna people are off the walls bonkers!

What's the high-end stuff for big game salt critters?

Honestly, the idea of spending 25K+ to outfit a boat with gear for the real salt stuff just blows my mind. Not to mention that I've heard it's almost impossible to insure the gear on a boat. Lose it and you just replace it.

I have 2 Shimano Charter Specials with the lever drag.
They've been great for the 2 years I've used them and I do like the lever drag a lot. A little over a $100.00.

Thanks for the tips. I plan to fish for salmon in the sound and straights/ocean with a little bottom fish thrown in. I have one knuckle buster and will get another but I don't think some of the people I will be taking out can handle them so I was looking for a good quality salmon reel for under 200. On the shimano's is it the Tekotas people like?

I've heard other people not liking them...but I like my Tekota.
Now unlike Doc I'm not reeling in 50lb + fish on the Kenai so take it for what it's worth. Fishing kings and silvers and ling (and Halibut) in WA it has worked great for me for 2or 3 years so far. I have not yet updated the original drags.

I have had Tekota 500s on my boat since they were introduced and they are still going strong, smooth drags and no level wind problems. I would definitely recommend them for Puget Sound fishing.

The quality of your gear greatly contributes to the quality of your experience. Not to say that I have the best...But I like most of what I have. The rest collect dust.

I upgraded to some Tekotas 500s last year. I also fished with Robbo in Craig and that pretty much sealed the deal for me.

I really like them.