Some of the new shimano reels, i use a stradic 1000 also, have waterproof rubber gaskets that keeps water and other small debris out of your drag system and your lube port. Pretty good idea for your creek setup.

I have had this trouble in the past with cheaper quantum reels. I think with the water and other stuff that gets in them mixed with the load of certain baits and the load of certain creek monsters... they just cant hold up over time.

The shimanos however are a different story. I suggest looking at a 1000 saros or stradic. SAme price range as the quantum you mentioned.