Cabela’s Prodigy casting reels

Anyone used these before? I am not reel good at using these types of reels yet, so I don’t want to spend a fortune on one. If not this, then what do you recomend?
Prodigy reels

I have a couple “cabela’s brand reels. Casting and spinning,never had any trouble.Just keep’em oiled and greased

Nice smooth reel for the money plus a flippin switch. Makes a great jigging reel.

I’m on my second season with a Prodigy. I use it mainly for bottom bouncing. (flipping switch) The only issue that I have with it is when I get hung up on the bottom and give it a hard jerk to break it loose the reel will sometimes backlash. This has happened several times. A backlash is bad. A backlash when you’re snagged and in a wind is even worse. This could be an operator issue as I’m not a baitcaster expert by any means. It just seems to me that the drag should give before the thing goes into free reel.

Do not waste your money on the baitcaster. I had a few and I have to say I really like that little spool engaging button they call a flipping switch. None of these reels lasted me a full season. They do have a pretty free spinning spool, but the bearings are junk and will not hold up. I also had some of the internal springs break and other problems. Simply put, you cannot depend on these reels to perform. These reels are made my Silstar, and it is hard to get parts because they have the Cabela’s name on them. Good news is Cabela’s took all of them back off my hands and gave me credit with which I bought quality reels. These reels may work fine for the guy that fishes a couple times/year, but not for an avid fisherman. I really believe that pitching and flipping for that matter are techniques that are hard on equipment. Learn from my mistake and just get good equipment the first time.