If you're into conventional reels for chunking 8nbait, I'd give serious consideration to the Daiwa Sealine-X 30SH reel.
It's very smooth out of the box (no need to put in fancy bearings) and crikey even the drag is more than adequate! I very much like the price too ($135???)...with all the features it provides, it is a real value.
I guess the only complaint I have is that the reel probably wasn't meant to be taken apart or self serviced very often. One smart fella pointed out that the side plate screw holes were drilled right into the graphite composite frame...I could see the threads in those holes getting stripped. Must be a cost cutting measure.
But overall, can't lose!
-FWW
Have You Tried the Daiwa SloSH 30 Yet?
Threaded Mode