Been using these for years. Excellent reel!

Quantum Smoke deserves a look.

I will agree and I have some expensive daiwa ballistic reels. I prefer my cheaper pflueger (hard word to spell!) reels and would rather use them over the Daiwas.

What ever reel you decide on, go with Seagaur Smackdown braid, you won't regret it.

I have a couple Daiwa Tatula Lt 2500’s, I really like them

I I do a lot of finesse fishing and own two Shimano Spirex reels and an older Shimano and one older Quantum reel. The Spirex reels are both of the 2000/2500 size and my favorites. They utilize a trigger style bale and have a reversible handle like other spinning reels but with a double handle like a bait caster. I use them tournament fishing and the way they are designed it just allows me to get more cast in during a days fishing because I'm not reaching for a bale and flipping it by hand. Once you fish with a Spirex for a little the only thing you really move is your index finger to get ready to cast.

I have 2, good solid reels

Another vote for the Pfluger brand.

The "somewhat older" Pflueger President spinning reels are awesome.

I mean the older models with the wooden handles. They rock!

...!

I have a Shimano Sahara…in the shop at SW Parts because after fishing with it for some time it gets hard to turn. From internet searches seems to be an issue with that reel. I also have a Daiwa Legalis that seems very good. If I buy another Shimano I will definitely stay away from the Sahara.