Lots of the Penns will be going offshore soon due to nasty price market (they get killed since labor here is high compared to say China).
Daiwa Hardbodyz are great buys IMHO. Kastor locally is $70, Laguna is $80. Support your local shops! I like mail order prices, but they won't tell ya the hot spots to fish at.
Shimano Baitrunner 'B' series are rugged. I wouldn't want to take one apart thought ..... lol. Waterproof drag and baitrunner feature are nice. I use my 3500B & 4500A for plugging.
I' ve found some used 704 & 704z under $35.
LOTS of solid reels out there now for reasonable $. Rods are way nicer than they were 5 yrs ago.
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