I'd go with the Shimano, Lew's used to make a cranking reel, but I haven't
mess with one in a long time. A good cranking rod is the Lamiglas XCF705.
The ultimate is a spiral wrapped Seeker BS706B in S-Glass, I know where a
few are at $40 for the blank. The difference between it and the Lamiglas is
a little heavier tip. Weight and general feel are identical. Both are
S-Glass.