Fished with a guide on the Charleston harbor jetties last week - all his rods were Ugly Stik Big Water or Tigers and all his reels were Penn Fierce II & Battle II (6000 & 8000), or Penn SSV (inshore - 4500, 5500). All spooled with braid (30 lb. to 50 lb.) I asked about his choices - said Ugly Stik's are nearly unbreakable and if they go over the side he hasn't lost much investment. As to reels, he personally prefers Daiwa for his own use but, Penn has a terrific Charter Captain/Guide program and he can buy all he needs at dealer wholesale, Daiwa limits him to 6 reels per year. He also feels the Fierce is just as good as the Battle for the life expectancy - the extra cost of the Battle doesn't give him any longer use than the Fierce. Interesting to listen to his take on it.
