Perhaps the quantum has a plastic bushing within that swells when it gets wet, which leads to the reel binding up. The older higher end shimanos were notorious for this. Just google "shimano spinning reel binding" when you have a couple weeks worth of time to kill. Shimano has supposedly fixed the problem - can't speak for quantum. I wouldn't go out and drop a big wad of cash on a spinning reel that you are taking to the creek day in and day out. They get wet, you get dirt and grime in them, and just abuse them in general. I'm rolling with a $19.99 Shakespear tempest right now, still waiting for it to die after 2 years so I can bring out one of the 2 new ones in the box I have as backups.