Have since moved up to a 55-sized version of the same reel for more breathing room (about 300m of braid on it). If my choices were the 6000 or 8000 sized Okuma Avenger baitfeeders, I'd not think twice about buying the 6000 sized model, even if the 8000 is only $10 more. Extra line capacity when there's enough on the 6000 anyway, is like a match on a raging fire - pointless. You also don't get any extra drag capacity and it's heavier.

But if you were predominantly or always fishing from a boat and drifting livies down to 150m pins then the extra line capacity of the 8000 might be worth it but in that scenario the drag isn't enough for my liking anyway so the reel kinda excludes itself on that basis.

But that's just my thoughts and everyone differs.

Please do let us know how you get on with it, and good luck.

The point was to question why you need the line capacity of an 8000 reel when targeting the species mentioned, especially from a kayak, and occasionally from a boat. Even from a boat, if you are going to be maxing the drag on a kingi, trying to stop it from making it to the pin, it's not likely to be enough drag anyway, even if that's about all most of us can realistically handle in a yak.

Buy whatever puts a smile on your dial.

Regarding sub $150 baitrunner-style reels, if new there aren't that many options. there are Shimano baitrunners that are sometimes sold in combo deals with rods for about $180 but that then brings into question what the rods for and if the combo rod is suitable.

If you go with the Okuma, can you please make a point of letting us know how it's working out for you in a years time? I'm on a cheap (sub $30) Okuma reel bender at the mo and keen to learn how other reels in their range are holding up (but it'll take a pretty bloody good reel to replace my baitrunner). Here's the last thing I caught on a cheap Okuma: