Im a great fan of the thunnus, have several.
Before upgrading my gear, have 3 shimano OCs which are still in regular use.
Been very reliable as well, upgrading each to carbon fibre (ex Reel Repair Guy) as servicing comes around.
Son does a heap of beach surf casting of west coast... And very rarely comes home with out a feed. Most of his beach fishing is get a feed, catch release.
A basic okuma rod and 8000 OC.. Hes not the best, to say the least, at great care of his reels. A basic rinse put away till it dies eventually dies. Its been 5 or 6 yrs now of very high use...killed a couple rods but the 8000OC keeps catching.
Have asked him about going more up grade in his land based gear, recons just not worth it.. too easy to stuff a reel, and the 8000OC has survived way beyond its use by date.
His boat gear, thats a very different story...rod/ reel sets light gear all up in the $800 range and heavier stuff $900/ 1200 ..
A basic okuma or shimano rod and 8000OC will serve you very, for $350/ $400