Hi MrP: Ive owned lampson/waterworks for the past 5 years and the drag is awesome and smooth as silk and the reels change out in a snap. Ive taken kings over 65lb and have caught little dinkers. And I have had no problems what so ever on the reels. I have had a cheeper brand explode on me in the middle of Ak while fishing for big trout, what a dissapointment. I had a cimmaron 4 and have not uesd it in 6 years.You may pay a little more now but it will last. What wt rod are you going to use this reel on? You might want to down size your reel a size and buy extra spools to be able to ues this on other rods. Just a thought, Good luck. Rick