I was a tackle buyer for many years and have had the opportunity to test 100's of reels from many manufactures including Shimano, Daiwa, Okuma and Quantum. I'm quite aware of bearings vs. bearings, gearing vs. gearing and frame materials vs. frame materials. I recommend the Okuma because I've fished it. It's a quality reel and very smooth. It has quality SUS sealed ball bearings and a quality oil soaked felt and SS drag. It's the best reel I've fished under $60.