I take kids and newbies out fishing fairly often, so I bought some Okuma rods as beater boat rods for them. I have to say that they have fished and held up quite well. I've got my "snooty" favorites, but the truth be told, I've found myself picking up the Okumas more often myself. Pretty decent. My all time favorite rod for steelhead (may it rest in peace) was a similar kind of a product in it's day, made by LCI. So IMHO, price doesn't always tell the whole story. I say fish the "value" product till you KNOW specifically what you want, then pay whatever it takes to get it.

Haven't tried the reels. I might just have to give one a whirl. Anti-reverse feature, you say? Hummm.