Buy a cheap reel. I finally broke down and bought a GOOD baitcast reel. Oh my goodness, what a difference, its like night and day in everyway. I can cast lighter tackle that I never could before, can cast other baits that I have thrown before better and more accurate without "Whipping it" I am a firm beleiver in you get what you pay for in reels now. But the biggest question I have is, how do you decide between the million that are out there. I fished with a guide a few weeks ago and just loved the reels he had. So I bought one, but if I had never thrown one I wouldn't have known just how good it was. So how do you choose? I talked to Bass Pro about why they don't have some spooled up with a casting station to test and get a feel for what you will be buying. No good answer given, but I have an idea of why they don't. Anyway I bought a Shimano Chonarch 100A and I love it. My fishing buddy is now saving for one he too loves it.<br /><br />Matt