Baitcasting reels

My history with baitcasting reels is pretty young--I got my first at the end of last season, a Daiwa Megaforce, and my second just last week, a BPS Pro Qualifier. What amazes me about the difference between the two is how Daiwa, a company with a long history, can actually make, market, and sell a reel that casts so badly. The braking system is virtually non-existant, as it only has a magnetic brake that works toward the end of the cast, essentially limiting casting distance. After just two days of using the Pro Qualifier I can see what I was missing: a piece of essential fish-catching equipment that can be used without fear. The Megaforce always had me worried about the next backlash, which happened about 1 out of every 3rd cast. I can understand the need for a magnetic brake, as the spool definitely can continue to spin after a lure hits the water. But to me that is the easier part of the cast to control. The Pro Qualifier really has the best of both worlds. It also just feels a lot stronger and durable.

Something else I have yet to discover with baitcasters is just which types of lures it is best suited for. Without getting overly specific, I decided I'd stick with the heavier lures I have in my tackle box. Sometimes after reading articles by the pros I get a little confused: angler x says he uses spinning gear for suspending jerkbaits, but angler y will use a baitcaster for that; or angler a will use a baitcaster for topwaters when angler b prefers spinning gear and a rod with a lighter action to cushion the blow of an aggressive topwater bite. As an admitted beginner, I'd rather keep it simple: shorter, lighter rods with smaller spinning reels for lighter lures, and so on up to the baitcaster for the heaviest lures and the heaviest line I'll use. After years of experience I could imagine refining things. Until then, the basics seem to hold best.