I've been using, cleaning and repairing bait casters and their predecessors, level winds, for about 50 years now so I feel qualified to offer my opinion. The round ABU Garcias were and still are tanks - they hold up over time better than anything made back then or now. When ABU Garcia started making low profile reels, it took them a while to get up to speed but they have gotten better in leaps and bounds over the last 10 years. That's why I'm now in the process of replacing all my Shimanos (which are really starting to show their age) with ABU Garcias. There's also a new kid in town you might want to consider - 13 Fishing. Several of my fishing buddies have them and my first impression is that they are the best reel on the market for the money. Plus they're made right here in the USA.