Patrick - all I'm saying is that I think you're buying into the big ree/big rod phenomina that we all do at one time of another. BM uses that super stout gear for several reasons:
1ST - he plays with the big gals and because of where he lives and SKILZ - he plays often
2ND - A squidder or and solid lwinderless reel will be an improvement if you're working that soft sand day in and day out - just a necessary evil.
3RD - It's a solid stinking reel...
Reasons why yoiu should have started lighter:
1st - WHEN you learn to cast, you'll be casting over fish
2nd - there is no water within 100 miles of you now that you'll use that gear as it's meant to be used not that you can reach any without a car & license (I'm really not trying to bust your stones)
3rd - $$$$$ - coulda saved a few bucks
4th - most important gear to focus on is the stuff you are most likely to use on the here and now...
... I went and bought my fist BIG GEAR thinking that's what I had to do and the tackle shop musta been snickerin' when I told him what I wanted. I walked out with a 12' Daiwa Eliminator and a Penn8500SS - boy, did I get sucked in on that. All of those parts were sold within 2 years. AND it was biatsch to cast all night long...
I was able to do far more damage
with lighter and smaller setups... But hey JMHO