You might have a look at the Daiwa Regal which is mid-priced at around £60 (although they're on 'special' at GAC at around £45)
We have two of those for Carp fishing, they have proven very reliable and well made for the price.
Personally i was dissapointed with most modern fixed spool reels, the ones at the affordable end of the market have become very plasticy and often quite nasty, i was always a shakespeare fan, but when we looked around at those and the Okuma's they could not match up to the Diawa in the same price point.
Shimano make nice reels, perhaps a second hand Ultegra or a second hand Mitchell 300, from the days when most of the fixed spool reels had proper metal bodies and decent bearings.
Otherwise Look for something that feels solid, has a metal spool and more than 3 bearings, i have seen the Abu Soron and they are very nice
perhaps a little pricey though
I have the Far eastern version of this in 3500 size
http://www.monstertackle.co.uk/fishinglures/daiwa-exceler.html which is black and brilliant, it gets a fair bit of harsh use in the sea and is standing up to everything i put it through so i would heartily reccomend it
Looks like a decent price in the UK as well.
This will cope with the salt and freshwater and hold plenty of decent line (especially if you are using braid), excellant fixed spool reel.
Depends what you like, i prefer front drags, you can adjust the tension while palming the spool, plus i have a history of breaking rear drag knobs on rocks etc
, plus i like metal edged spools, big handles and lots of bearings.
have fun looking
Sandy
