I have to agree with the Tatula at $100 should you want to go with a different reel.  I hope to add at least one Pinnacle to my arsenal over the winter.  They aren't popular, but have gotten good reviews on here.  Pflueger is another brand of casting reels that seldom get mentioned, but I have used Trions and Patriarch XTs and found them to be quality reels.  I especially like the XTs (older blue models).

You should definitely be getting more distance than that.  Can I ask a question that is NOT meant to offend you?  Are you sure you have all those brakes disabled?  This was an issue for me when I got my PQ.  I wasn't sure which setting was which.  Quite simply, if they are "Clicked back" they are turned off.  If they are free floating, they are turned on.  Sorry if this is NOT an issue for you.  Not trying to be condescending.  I love my PQ but it took me more than 6 uses to get it really dialed in.

Good point and I personally wouldn't take a offense to it.  It's a good tip!  I know a lot of guys who didn't know including myself when I first started.

 

Lots of good tips on the thread and I would just like to add my vote in that the PQ is a very solid reel and one of the best bang for your buck reels available.

Welcome!!! Get a tatula it's a no brainer as Raul said..

Nothing wrong with them PQs. Clean and lube it, and if necessary get it checked out by a reel tech. If it still doesn't cast as far as you'd like, maybe try a longer/ more suitable rod.

Welcome!!! Get a tatula it's a no brainer as Raul said..

I third this.  But I love my PQ and it casts very well especially after a thorough cleaning.  

At the 100$ mark retail flip a coin....then hit the fleamarket and fleabay and then its a matter of a few bucks + or -

Latest update - My fishing pal cleaned off the original grease and re-lubed the reel. He recommended I add more line to the spool, as I had minimal yardage, to avoid backlashes.

The rod is actually 6 1/2' and is a cranking rod by Skeete Reese, so the equipment is right for what I use it for. I added more line, tried a few casts in the yard found I was getting bad backlashes, so I removed about 30' of line, dialed up the knob from 4 to nearly 6 and things were a bit better.

Conclusion: no need to buy a new rig. More practice is needed to minimize backlash and work on accuracy & distance. Since temps will be in the 20's-30's this week, I may wait a while to get back out, butmy goal is to be able to grab the rig when I want and not fear a backlash will keep me from wetting lines.

Thanks once more to fellow members for all your suggestions and help. Will spend lots of time on this site as I did today, watching videos, reading articles and learning more about this pasttime we all enjoy. Prespawn is only a few weeks away.