@fattyflattie
@huge
Three tournaments weekends in a row and another this weekend before a one-week break. Fishing has been good. Feeling like all I do is fish or prep to fish. Not complaining.
Anyway, as far as spinning tackle goes, it is like a sandwedge for me. If you see me on the front deck of my boat with a spinning rod in hand, you know I am in trouble and struggling. It is a last resort for me if I am trying to get a limit in the box. I do carry three with me at all times just because they make it so much easier for a Ned rig, dropshot or Damiki rig. But again, I see those techniques as limit getters and not a way of putting much weight in the boat. There is a time and place though.
That all said, I am not going to spend big bucks on spinning tackle because I go into every tournament hoping not to pick it up. No problem spending money like I just did on a Metanium MGL baitcaster (super sweet BTW). For spinning reels I have settled on Shimano Stradic as you stated and/or Shimano NASCI, which is a damn fine reel for the money. Everyone I know who has purchased a NASCI as a backup has quickly worked it into the starting lineup. Here are some reviews: https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano_NASCI_FC_Spinning_Reel/descpage-SNFS.html
I will add that Diawa Tatulas have a strong following. I can speak to the Tatula baitcasters, and they are good-to-great reels. The other brand that has really impressed me over the last few years is Lew's. They used to be really special for certain applications in the '80s and '90s then fell off in quality. They are under new ownership now, and all my Lew's reels are fantastic. Not sure how they will hold up, but for the money, I find them hard to beat right now.