Spinning Combo advice?

[andrewtp]

I need some opinions fellas.

I've been researching and am looking into getting a Shimano Sedona reel (either the 2500 or the 4000- not sure which would better suit my needs will mainly be fishing in the bays of southern cali and around the shoreline out of my kayak) paired w/ an Ugly Stick around 7'. It fits my price range of about $100 for a rod and reel.

Other reels I've been eyeing:

Shimano Sahara - 79.99
Symetre - 69.99 clearance for older model


I was at Sport Chalet and the sales guy suggested a Quantum Catalyst PTi
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...set=ISO-8859-1
over the similar priced Shimanos- Symetre $100, Sahara $80 and Sedona $60. The Catalyst was $80. He compared the Catalyst to the Sol 2500. He liked the Catalyst over the shimanos because of its bigger drag for a smaller reel. I've read nothing but good things about the reliability of the Shimanos but haven't heard much about the Quantums.

What do you guys think?