Straight out of the box it's tough, well balanced and a treat to cast. The drag washers will be upgraded to carbon fibre for those really roaring days. It compares really well up against my Stella and Sustain. It wins hands down with the sub $100.00 price tag on special. I bought it as a mate/sheila reel when they don't know what they are doing, but after trialing it with a matched rod, I may have a rethink on that.