I agree with the shimano recommendation. I have some that weren't high end to start with, 12 to 15 years ago. Slade is the model name and they have front drag which I prefer. No matter how much you spend or front or rear drag, loosen the drag some when you store them. Rear drag discs are smaller by design but leaving any drag tight for long periods compresses the drag washers and makes them hard to adjust and jerky when they give up line. That gives the fish the upper hand. The spool can't start moving before the line breaks. Loosening them a turn when I'm through for the day has helped mine last as long as they have and they're still going.
If you like a metal frame and spool look into the Diawa Sweepfire reel. I found em cheap when they first came out and bought 6 or 8 of them and they do a fine job. A little heavier but not too bad.
Creativity is just intelligence fooling around