Okay I'm looking for some good quality reels for under $150. I'm wanting to get into tourney fishing so I need something that will hold its own when I need it to. I have a Daiwa Tatula Tactical in 8.1:1 spooled with the old school spiderwire stealth 50# green braid and absolutely love it, just wish the drag was a little stouter. I will however be putting it on my C&T-Rig and Jig rod once I get my frogging and flipping setups ironed out. I was looking at getting the *** *** 8.1:1 for $120 from TW but can usually find the *** 8.1, and Concept C 8.1 on eBay new for $155 ish. Brand doesn't matter a whole lot just as long as it will haul in the fish plus the salad bar that usually comes with it when flipping and frogging mats.

Call me stubborn but for me it´s been years since it´s either Daiwa, Shimano or Abu when it comes to reel purchases, so if I were to get me a reel and the only "limitation" is the drag well, I will get me a reel from either of those and purchase some Carbontex Drag pads for it, problem solved.

New.....Tatula Type R or standard Tatula.  I prefer the finish on the R, but didn't notice a difference in performance between the two.  I do like the 8.1 ratio of the R.  The new Tatula CT is within that budget and possibly even the CT Type R  on ebay.  Haven't looked.  The Lew's Tournament MB is another fine reel....$109 on ebay.  Nice looking and dual brakes.

I think Carbontex drags run about $8.  I almost always have my drag upgraded whenever I send a reel for cleaning or tuning.

Another reel I am liking a lot now that I've spent a little time with it is the A model you mentioned.

Haven't used any of the new Shimanos so I will let others make Shimano suggestions.

Talk to Dan (smalljaw67).  He bought a couple of the Pflueger Supreme Xts and is very impressed with them.  Dan was a tournament fisherman before getting sick and has quite a lot of experience.  I've always thought Pflueger doesn't get the respect it deserves.  I've got the Trion and Patriarch XT (older blue model) and am very satisfied with both.