I had the Fin-nor Megalites (newer brown bodies) in 2000, 3000 & 4000 sizes and fished them for a year. All I can tell you now is I don't own ANY of them any more. Traded most off and gave the smaller 2000 to my Dad.
My main problem with the Fin-nor graphite body was the amount of frame flex - too much for my liking. Give me an aluminum body reel any day! They MLs had the cork drag like the Ahabs, but I found the drags to be no better, OR smoother than Shimano drags, or Penn drags.
If you want a small bay reel, I like the Penn 260 & 360 Slammers. Shimano Spheros (sleeper - not many buy them, but they are excellant reels for the $ IMHO). Many guys like the Shimano Stradics as well.
The Daiwa Hardbodyz are probably the best buy in reels for the $ IMHO. You can find them all over the place for reasonable $. Even if you buy the in a retail store they won't break your pockets. Daiwa Kastor & Laguna are fine, or if you want higher end then go for the Capricorn (Cabelas had then all on sale right now - fyi). Daiwa SS has been a mainstay for LOTS of hardcore salt guys for a long time.
I hate spending $ on stuff that doesn't get used. Just trying to save you some $and aggrevation.
I use light gear for most species of fish and I've experimented with just about every brand of reel over the past 25+ yrs.
Which size reel were you thinking about? What pound class?