I was amazed by the variety and subtle differences among brands especially since this is my first foray into saltwater fishing. My officemate gave me a few tips in choosing the right reel for my technique. He advised me to get a very simple reel with features that would help me keep the line steady and smooth. He suggested the Daiwa Saltiga 30T and I tried it out. It was pretty good, I think. I had no problems casting into the extended strike zone nor did I experience any difficulty retrieving my catch. I’m no expert but the Daiwa Saltiga 30T seemed to be an efficient baitcaster. I did not go through the many horror stories other newbies did. I think I’ll be using the Daiwa Saltiga 30T for a long time to come.