They're ok for medium/light stuff. I have one, my brother and another buddy has one, and so far far (3-4 YRS) they're still working. I would put them a notch below/even to the garcia ambassadors. They are smooth, cast very well, and the drag seems consistent, but we may have got lucky with ours. I know musky fishing will eventually take its toll on them, as it hard on all reels under $100. But if you've got a gift card, why not.