For me,Id rather spend a little more money on a good reel, but what i call a good reel to other people might be cheap. I like the older Shimano Curados. A good rod to me cost about $100 and I tend to be a little hard on em. Constantly having eyes replaced. I really try to take care of all my eqpt., but it never fails, somebody always seems to step on a rod in the boat and its always mine. Maybe I should only have the one Im using out of the rod locker.