Amen to that. I was warned but ignored the warning thinking I was going into a shallow hole and found it was a cliff. As for as reel I went all in with mine with a Stella, Presso 18 ( bought the last one in Japan ) and an Exist. You don't have to go to that extreme but boy is it sweet. I recently ordered that same rod for a friend who after fishing with mine, just had to have one and paired it with a Abu Garcia MGX 1000S from KIWI on the advice from Jawjatek. Was about $ 260 with shipping if I remember right. You can get by with a less exspensive reel just make sure it's got a GOOD drag as you will need it when you get hold of a 1lb+ shellcracker on 2# test. As to my favorite of what I own it would be the Presso and would get at least one more if they were available but unforuntately don't think they are any. Scott