This is a great reel for schoolie stripers up here in the northeast. I love this reel for inshore fishing in New Jersey. It has great construction and is pretty strong.

I purchased the Alaris from another vendor (before I found out about tackledirect.com) and have been using it for surf fishing in Southern California for the past two months (about 2-3 times a month). I wound it with 10lb mono and have caught striped sand bass and small sting rays on Carolina rigs with it. It’s held up well so far, even with some splashes and dunkings (but I also rinse the reel at the beach with freshwater often as well as after I get home).

I have some other reels that cost more (and reel a bit smoother) but I find myself reaching for this reel more often. For an inexpensive reel, the Alaris does a really good job.

About the only issue I have with the Alaris is the handle. Specifically, I would’ve preferred a ball or oval knob at the end of the handle instead of nothing. Still, my fingers haven’t slipped off the handle, yet; so it’s not really that much of a problem.