Best Surf Spinning Reel...

[basswipe]

Spheros 8000 is the best bang for the buck going.You can find the older FAs in some shops still,they are a real bargain now.

Though I must admit my Stradic FI in the same size is superior.It lays line on the spool so evenly it has insanely good castability.Smooth too.

[Big Dave]

I have to give the nod to the new Stradic's, awesome reels for the money

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by Big Dave

I have to give the nod to the new Stradic's, awesome reels for the money

I agree with Dave. The Stradics have the new "Palladin" cold forged aluminum main gears that also have a super-hard black coating (possibly some sort of nitride). I'm also pretty sure that they have a brass pinion gear. One piece handle that screws directly into the main gear, and not through it where it's held in place on the other side by a cheap plastic nut. And it comes with an equal quality spare spool--lot of reel for under $200, with much better gearing than many other reels in the same price range.

The Saragossa is also a good reel with the same type of gearing, and it's almost as simple inside as an old Penn 704, but it doesn't come with a spare spool.

I don't think that the Spheros has the same type of gears--they're probably cast aluminum.

[JohnR]

Anyone try out that new Daiwa Saltist yet?