Shimano and quantum both have rebate deals going on now (you may have to go to their website to download the forms-they don't always advertise the rebates), and they are both great brands. Baitcasters are one thing you don't want to go cheap with - you really get what you pay for. BPS makes some pretty good reels - but I wouldn't buy those unless they were on sale (about 5 times per year). I have the extremes, pro qualifiers and the johnny morris signatures and elites. The extremes are hit or miss, the pro qualifiers are pretty good, but the johnny morris signature and elites are among my favorites - up there with curados and quantum TE.

I started off with cheaper baitcasters and they will give you headaches - backlash easy and just not as durable, but that doesn't mean you will not be able to use them proffeciently. However, I would suggest saving and buying a 1 better quality reel than a few lower quality reels, you will be glad you did in the long run. I wish I would have done this.