Thanks, 92Esquire, that's precisely the kind of information I'm looking for. My inquiry is not purely academic; it seems to me that some very reputable manufacturers are beginning to bring out cast reels that, otherwise, have quite desirable characteristics. Two that come to mind are the Ross Flyrise and the Lamson Konic. Nowadays, in my time of retirement, I'm looking for ways to save bucks without significantly giving up quality, and these reels are becoming more attractive.