Well before today the only conventional reels I've cast were boat rods. That all changed this afternoon , I went out to the field and put a 3 oz. bank sinker on my new Big Game 7000CL and Lami XRA 1205 loaded with 30 lb Dupont Magnathin line. I started slow got 50 yards no backlash 1st cast. picked it up a little , got a few minor backlashes while I got used to it. By the time I was thru practicing 6-7 casts I made it out 75-80 yards. Now I know it will be different with a plug or jig but I am happy with my first try at it.
I also test casted my new rod Mike T made a lami SB 121 3M with a 6500 Neptune loaded with 65 lb. whiplash(new). And I finished up with a couple casts about 450 ft. with a 4 oz. sinker. (check that , it was more like 400 ft. 130yds.) I was thrilled with the casting of that rod!
It doesn't matter to me how the reel is put together inside , it matters how they perform. If it needs maintenence I'll drop it off for someone else to fix.