OK, here's my 2 bits (or 12 1/2 cents at a discount store). I confess that I have not seen or handled an Okuma reel, but from what I've been reading courtesy of the list, is that these reels have had parts fall off in the river, the bearings rust, the drag is very finicky. It would seem to me that they have been priced accordingly. I personally don't see the economy of purchasing a new reel once a year or more frequently. Nor do I look forward to losing a fish due to design failure. A higher quality piece of equipment equates to a more predictably satisfying experience. Of course there is more than one opinion on which piece of equipment is the most desirable as we have seen on this thread. And certainly each fisher is going to have his or her own priorities to favor. That being so, it would seem that there is room for many designs, products and prices and not one design, product or price will suffice for all. Vive le difference. It seems to me that bt has nicely outined the business of the business. Paul
