I haven't used the reel yet, waiting on a rod that's being made for it. I will say though that the little mini feather looking marks painted on the circle at the base of the handle on the reel are a little weird looking. I am hoping that they last but I am disappointed they are just painted design feature and look like they will wear off pretty quickly. I might be wrong but o me they don't even need to be there and look funny. If they were cut in like the spool that would be cool. Feels cheap and cheesy to me. I have two older ospreys and would much prefer the carbon disk look that those have.