I know this is a boating forum. My son bought an Akios casting reel two years ago for the surf, and it was pushing $200. It has what I consider a very weak not-so-well thought out design for mounting the reel to the rod. As I expected, it didn't take long for the mounting screws to break. I called the gent in Avon, NC, Joe Moore, who sold it to him. Joe said that he would gladly replaced the mounting system with an upgrade, and charge it off to Akios under the warranty. Hats off to Joe Moore for making it right.