This is a question we, and think many newbies, and those on budgets often ask themselves....

We have been using lower mid range $120 to%180 bait runner type reels ..okuma shimano OC  4000 /6000 as our go tos...for general  straylining soft bait.
For the 4000s okuma 6/10kg and extreme.. which is ok...the blue predecessor to the nano matrix... very nice.. and a couple nano matrix also very nice.
 So basically not elcheapo stuff but not top of the line either.
 Putting a little more money into a rod makes a difference when casting and loading on a big fish...
But is it better to put the money into a rod?.. upgrade from exteme to nano matrix or the reel?

One of the okumas is getting a bit worn.. boat show..and a thunnus 4000 sitting at $269... Txt to the 'accountant'  and a "yes"

So replaced the 4000 oc on the nano matrix.. same braid ( reversed wound off the OC) .. then out on monday for a fish.
Yep far smoother turning, but that doesnt justify the extra $100...then flick soft baits into wash...crap missed the wash, landed right up on the rocks... more careful next flick..opps again.
Later drifting , a quick back hand flick up past the bows....took ages to land way in the distance. I could just get that sort of distance on a full cast.
 M8 who soft baits a lot commented on the distance.
 Not only that but the direction line was consistently spot on most of the time, except when seeing how far could get it.  This needs a little practice.

So was it worth the extra $100?

 Not for the smoothness?, that doesnt catch fish.

For the casting?, hell yeah, being able to accurately drop hooks into a wash at greater distance, and into work ups, shallow and deep water drifts, less disturbance of fish,  more ground covered .. MORE FISH
 For the easy of distance even on a back hand flick. the increased accuracy because of less effort for the distance.

Son who is right into S baiting .. loves casting more I think...he came home from work yesterday, told/ warned  him about the distance. Took the rod  down the back yard, did a toss, to fall sort of the gardens in front of the fence. If it was not for the thick trees at the rear of the garden , the soft bait would have gone clean over the fence.
 He wants one for his nano matrix now.