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I think the choice boils down to two things, function of the reel and budget. Where the reel will be used in terms of the abuse it will see is directly related to budget. While some people choose to pack reels full with grease to act as a water intrusion prevention technique, this method requires a lot of time and additional maintenance. If you are swimming/wetsuiting at all, hopefully not in the canal, the ZB & VS reels are a no brainer. The surfcaster in general who puts in a lot of time, these reels are a high initial investment but in the long term a no contest winner. There are differences between these two reels other than pricing. One is how the line gets placed on the spool during retrieve. The VS has a recessed spools that "plunges" in and out of the rotor body, the line when initially place on the spool must be mounded and eventually works its way in to where it will lay on every cast. The ZB does not have this and the line lays on it like most spinning reels we are used to. The VS weighs significantly less than the ZB of comparable size, and the VS costs less than the ZB off the shelf. I would also say both companies offer some of the best technical service. Keep an eye out for guys selling their VS/ZBs on here, I don't think they last more than 5 minutes if the price is good.
If you are looking to not break the bank all at once, the options abound. Personally I have had great success with two reel brands. Penn and Shimano. I have a Stradic and Sustain love them both, good drag, retrieve speed, and smooth, they require maintenance frequently. I have had a penn reel since I was 8 (my first freshwater spinning reel) still works 22years later. Purchased the Battle as a backup reel this spring, smooth but I'm not thrilled with the drag. The new Spinfisher V looks promising, Penn is claiming that the 5500 & 6500 have 30lb max drag along with 39in/turn line retrieval, for $160 retail seems like good buy, but I suggest more research on this reel. Anyone have it yet? I think it's only been out for couple months.
For line, if you ask 100 people, tally the results, weed through to try and find the most common answer I think you'll be where you are right now. Personally I have 50pp original in olive on every reel I have except my conventional I have 50samuri (it's rounder/thicker). It it not necessarily "better" than any other brand, it is what I am confident in, from knots to cast-ability to longevity. I recommend use of backing on any reel spooled with braided line.
Good luck, Matt
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