I was born in '46, and started fishing with baitcasting reels. Got my first good one (Abu 5500C) when I was in 8th grade for $ and 13 Cheerios box tops. It still works. I have a number of Abu's (all Swedish made), a Quantum they no longer make, a Shimano Calcutta 400, and 4 Penn 209's for downrigging. For trolling (or as Al Lindner calls it "horizontal presentations"), I prefer baitcasting equipment.
Everyone has pointed out desirable features and quality brands. I'll mention one other thing if you intend to use the reel for trolling, and that's the importance of the level wind mechanism operating any time line is leaving the reel. I have one that disengages the level wind if casting or letting line out while trolling. After a couple hours the line is very uneven on the spool, and that feature doesn't seem to add any distance to the casting.