It wont be the popular choice and people will bemoan it...but....
My first reel was the White River HCII. Super Cheap, like $30. I have dropped it, thrown it, froze it, overheated it, never cleaned it, scratched it, caught large fish, caught small fish and downright abused it. The thing still works like the day I bought it. It is indestructible and cheap. Still have it and use it to this day.
Which means you can spend more money on a better line and Rod. I think these two are more important than the reel (flame away)
Edit* It is heavy, so if you go with something really nice (usually lighter) for rod it will probably throw the balance off.