Well..... I was on a budget, and for reasons undisclosed ( ), I had to buy retail. I was looking for a spinnerbait/light, VERY little cover jig rod and reel. I now have an All Star Platinum 6'6" Extra Fast, Medium casting rod and a Pflueger Templar baitcasting reel spooled with 15 lb Hybrid. The Templar is a Walmarty version of the Echelon, seems slightly upgraded. against my better judgement, this is my first Pflueger. It perform nice enough in the back yard...

If it catches fish for you and it does not give you problems then you did good.

Good luck and have fun.

I can't comment on the reel, but the Platinum is a fantastic rod.  You'll have no problems feeling a light bite

If it catches fish for you and it does not give you problems then you did good.

Good luck and have fun.

X2

Roby

If it catches fish for you and it does not give you problems then you did good.

Good luck and have fun.

X2

Roby

agreed

If it catches fish for you and it does not give you problems then you did good.

Good luck and have fun.

X2

Roby

agreed

yeah.. i guess ive become too influenced by tackle specialists.

I've got one and I like it so far. My buddy who fishes local tourneys has a half dozen. Don't believe all the nonsense about spending a pile on a reel (or rod) if you don't have it to spend. Take care of it and it will last a long time.