I would use it for the Tidewater fisheries near the coast. It only has a 2.8-3.0:1 ratio, and that means like 15-17 inches of retrieved line per crank roughly... It would work, but I would only use it for really big game, like salty Salmon, or even bigger fish, keeper sturgeon would be fine I'm sure. If you are looking for a simple baitcaster to drift fish with from the bank, ABU make 2 that are in their "low profile" line, and they are cheap, and cast like crazy...Kind of like de-tuned Revos. The Penn should do you fine for bigger angling just fine, and yes they are pretty cheap aren't they. Just my two cents...Why don't you tell us what you pan to use the reel for, and maybe someone can offer up some alternatives, as I think that would be cumbersome, plunking, and especially drift fishing.