I really like the quantum accurist. Now you have to open it up and adjust the breaking. But it casts a mile and is smooth for a price of $99.

I can backlash toilet paper, if I had some.

Right there with ya! Excellent reels.

For the win!
I have use Shimano for years and have several of the E's and 7 or 8 K's. However, I've been buying the Diawa's the last year and love them. The Tatula Sv is by far my favourite so far! It's my dedicated pitching and skipping reel and while it will backlash. I can skip baits way back under docks and cover and rarely backlash. Try one Chris! I think you'll love it!

The highest end reel I have is a Lew's hyper mag speed spool, and I have no complaints.

Metaniums here

Surprised to hear no Zillions

Daiwa Tatula SV for me.

I have a couple of Zillions and they are great reels but they perform no better than the Tatula so not worth the extra cost for me.

Yes. Cause they tend to last longer. Lol

Same here on Shimano. Never thought my Chronarchs would be put away, but they are now. I like the Diawas that much! For heavy duty I've got the Diawa Coastals too. They are just as excellent. I fish salt and fresh so that makes them even better. Highly recommend!!!

Another reel that made the cut for my deck is the Lews Tournament MB. Awesome reel at a good price. Really surprised me on how much I like it.

I am switching over to all lews from abu, have 4 of the revo premier and 2 revo winch, still use and like the reels a lot but the lews are some awesome reels.

so far all I have is 2 of the wide hvy duty.

https://www.lews.com/casting/superdutywide

Shimano Core is still my favorite

Ask SW Parts about the upkeep on Daiwa reels. If you’re like me and I’m 90% sure you are, you will just have your group of high end reels and send them in every year or two and boom.... brand new reel. The Steez was my go-to but getting Daiwa replacement parts is a [censored] shoot and they recommended I go with another brand so I’m getting the higher end Shimanos and love the things. I thought the Steez casted further than anything but that’s because I didn’t own the Antares. That new Metanium looks like the cat’s meow but I don’t own one yet. My old Chronarchs are still some of my best casting reels and infinitely adjustable.

I have a whole sack of Abu stuff that I’m really frustrated with. The two Rockets still have great indications because of the speed but my MGX falls apart before the year goes by and all of my SXs and STXs won’t cast across my living room. The Premiers are okay but nothing like the Shimano and Daiwa. As Doc said, weight is getting more important to me the older and more arthritic I get and Shimano isn’t going to win in that category. I have found a strong correlation between weight and durability though which I guess makes sense. Magnesium parts aren’t as strong so they come at a price. You can over engage the drag on your MGX and hurt its casting distance where the Antares has as much drag force as you can pull with your hand and minutely adjustable.

Someone asked if the more expensive reels catch more fish and I’d say that they so much less frustrating than the lesser Chinese stuff. My Bass Pro reels lasted a year and watching it decline each trip was a hassle. Such a confusing but fun quest!

Good luck Chris.