I bought a reel last yr on a trip to AZ. Simply amazing....... I think it wasa Quantum Blue runner. Bought at sprtsmans warehouse for about $40. I'm using 20lb test mono and I think it holds 200+yds. I'm at work right no and will check when I get home. The rods I use are 7-8 med heavy, I like to be able to see even the smaller fish hit. Not too stiff and Ilike to e-glass not graphite...... especially for shore fishing.
Bait runners are a good option. My next spin reel will have this option. Don't go too cheap, big cats are hard on equipment and so is the shore. Mud rocks sticks and such.
My first reels didn't last the first yr...... but that was catching over 200 34"+ channel cats