Tommy, you have a tournament. I'll be in CA at a family wedding instead of on Palestine where I should be netting Chris's fish. We find good uses for a spinning reel year round here believe it or not...

I hear you Tom. I watched enough of David Dudley’s videos last year of him pretty much relying on a Wacky Senko rig with spinning reel and braided line to win another Angler of the Year title to want to have that set up myself.
Be safe, see you when you get back.

I appreciate the input guys. I've used a couple of the lower priced reels and they're okay, but a little clunky. I hoarded gift cards from Christmas and the reel trade in sale is coming so I can get the higher end reel for little to nothing out of pocket, so I'm going with the Stradic. Leaning towards the FL right now, but I'll have to go in and check them out in person