Power: This isn't really an area of much concern with finesse reels because you're typically using very light line with very small hooks. As long as you're able to battle with your catch (and I was), and the reel's handle is of sufficient length (it is), that's all you can ask for with a finesse type reel. The Brenious doesn't hold enough line to even toy with the idea of tossing deep diving cranks with it.

Casting Range: This is where finesse casting reels are made - in their ability to cast lure combinations you'd normally only associate with spinning gear. The Brenious was just average in this regard. Despite a super light spool, and very little line on the reel to slow the spool down, I really had to make an effort to cast anything lighter than one quarter of an ounce (1/4 oz). Even drop shot rigs with the long pendulum of a three sixteenths ounce (3/16ths oz) weight were a challenge. This reel was capable of it, but not over using a spinning combo.

Brakes: The Brenious comes with an eight point SVS braking system adjustable only by flipping open the sideplate of the reel. It is the same system used in the Aldebaran BFS though unfortunately, the spools are not interchangeable. The Brenious spool does fit in the Chronarch 50E's body, but the brake block on the Chronarch 50E's spool interferes with the Brenious's sideplate not allowing it to close, so the opposite is not true.

Features: The Brenious doesn't fare too well against our standard check list of features. The reel's casting brakes are not adjustable from outside, there is no bearing on the levelwind worm gear; there is only one bearing per handle knob; the dragstar has micro-click adjustments, but the spool tension knob does not; there is no cover for the reel out of the box; and the reel does come with a vial of oil.

Design & Ergonomics: The Brenious is a very comfortable reel to fish. It's hard to argue with the size of Shimano's 50-sized reels. The reel's handle is of sufficient length, and the knobs are very comfortable to grasp. It's obviously very easy to palm, but one thing that did feel odd, given this reel is made for finesse applications, was the reel's weight. I'm used to using magnesium framed reels for finesse applications, and this pint sized aluminum caster doesn't feel right, weight wise, when trying to cast ultra light bait offerings.

Application: The Brenious is actually intended for saltwater finesse applications for perch and bream. Naturally, we test most everything against black bass, so our scoring for this reel might be a little unfair though a lot of the testing is still universal (casting range, retrieve, drag, etc.). As a finesse baitcasting reel for black bass, this reel leaves a lot to be desired. As a reel for saltwater bream, lure weights are likely higher, so perhaps the reel will perform better.