Depends on what & where & how often you fish. My small (2500-4000) Sal****er spinning reels all cost over $200, but I have $30 reels for grandkids & guests (disposable). Drags, gears, frame material all contribute to performance when needed. Trolling offshore reels take a lot of abuse, yet cheap old Penns hold up...and some of the newer ones don?t last a season! Take them apart, replace a few bearings, and difference becomes clear. Idk about fly reels, have a very expensive one (a gift) and 3 cheap..they just hold line in my limited view.