re: Spec/red rod and reel combo recs?

I fish with 4 ugly stick carbons. They are on par with anything in the $80-120 range. Never had a guide wear down.

Yeah well I don’t use mine for a paddle and am reasonably competent at maintenance.

Oh and I also bought a Megareel for like $15. This was a 2-3 reply to a similar original post. Maybe here or maybe else where. I remember when nobody would buy Japanese even though they were 1/3 the cost. . It was American or French or Swiss reels. Now look at Daiwa and Shimano. I now have a $170 Penn, two Mitchell reels, one Plueger and 3 Shimanos to compare this new comer too. Im 64 and have learned to keep an open mind.