out of the box, the JM sig. reel is as good as any on the market and will be so for a couple years depending on usage. Unfortunately they do not hold up over long periods of time, no matter how much you baby them, eventually they will go to the bottom of the rod box, or the back of the garage, and you will have the shimano in your hand. great reels, just dont last, I have 2 rick clunn's and one JM sig., still use them on heavy baits, but the brakes wear out and the lighter stuff will give you nice birds nests in your reels.