I don' t remember how much it cost, but I' ve been fishin off the same Shakespear reel since I was about 8 years old and I' m 18 now. I had to replace the rod though. Not ' cause it was trashy, but because I broke the tip off in a porta-john door. So I got a fish stix rod for it and have been using it ever since. Both were bought at a Meijers and they have served me well. It may not be top of the line, but I like it. Shimano is another one I' ve heard great stuff about and shouldn' t cost too much.

Brandan