I run all CGI # 8, there is a thread on here about cleaning them and using TSI 321 oil, i did that and they are awesome. My only complaint about them is the drag is a little jump, so if your a lake trout guy i would just go to a president and be done with it. Other then that i have pulled in some monsters with them, just play them out. For the price point they are extremely hard to beat, i wont be looking at a new reels for a long time.