used one on the boat for a long time chris,so easy to use,just got one for casting the other day and am casting just as far as i was with a multiplier,[not far haha]had to put mono on it as the braid i had on was keep getting crack offs on it,thats why i was trying to see Barney as i know he uses braid on his and there must be a knack to laying it on the reel or something else he does???  As for fishing with them i think they are as good as the rest of them from the boat but that is just my opinion, every body to there own,will let yous know when i eventually get to the beach with the casting reel how i get on,,cheers Davy. :up: :up: :up: