I am trying to decide which spinning reel i want to get and want some opinions on the different ones as well as rods. I want to stick to either a penn or a shimano. I want to get a high quality reel and am willing to spend up to $180 for a reel. What kind of rods and reels do you guys suggest and what type of line braid or mono?

I like the Shimano Baitrunner for casting or live baiting for the price the also make one a little pricer in the same design. I have mine on a penn power stick.

I second the Baitrunner...w/ 50lb test braided!!!

Daiwa Emblem Z or Emblem X - I have owned both, and have caught cobia and drum with them, very smooth drag. These reels have a massive spool and are great for surfcasting as well. I take mine off my tallus and put it on my 12 foot heaver when i go surf fishing - kills 2 birds with one stone. They are known as long distance casting reels. I just bought the Z on ebay for 130 dollars - retails for over 200.

If we are talking about casting...Shimano Stradic 8000, Heavier duty bottom fishing- Penn, Bait running or live bait- Baitcaster- I am a born and raised PENN boy....but last year I started in with the shimanos...now I own 2 Stradic 4000, 1 5000, and 1 8000, and 1 Baitcaster (Biggest size # unknown right now..)...still have a few PENNs for heavier duty type fishing and 1 SLAMMER for lighter action. All in all for longevity PENN is proven to me, still fish with granddad's old PENN. They are tough as hell. Shimanos are smooth as hell and just plain sweet! Either way, I think you are on to something with the two you have narrowed your shopping down to. Bottom line...Baitrunner still best for cobia....head to DICK's Sporting Goods...pick yourself up a king daddy, warranty package, and 300 yds 50 lb test power pro for right around your 180$.

If you are Buoy Hopping use lighter stuff because you can give chase,for that I use the Penn Slammer 560 with 50 lb Power pro wind on 80 lb leader.If you are anchored and Chumming you dont want to have pull anchor I would go to 850 0r just use conventional stuff.We got a 65 lber last year with the Slammer 560 and a bunch of fish around 50.

oops

I prefer the Penn's. They are built like a tanks and they last forever.

I HAVE 2 STRADIC 8000 AND LIKE THE REELS, BUT WOULD NOT SUGGEST THEM UNLESS YOU CAN GET THE WATERPROOF WASHER TO GO ON THE DRAG SPINDLE. ONCE THE DRAG WASHERS GET WET THE REEL SLIPS. I WOULD SUGGEST THE BAITRUNNER. EVERYBIT AS SMOOTH AND HAS A WATERPROOF DRAG = LESS MAINTENENCE. THE 4500 BAITRUNNER WORKS FINE FOR ME BUT THE 6500 WOULD PROBABLE BE IDEAL. I LOVE THE STRADICS, BUT THE BIGGER ONES AREN'T AS GOOD IMO AS THE SMALLER ONES.
CASEY

i personally love the shimano tss 4 on a heavy 7 foot st croix rod, but you cant get the tss iv here in the states anymore. 30 lb test with 80# shock leader.

if anyone has a tss IV for that they want to get rid of i will be happy to purchase it from you.

I've been looking as well and I might go with the Shimano Thunnus. Looks like it could stand up to anything you want to throw at.