I trust you guys. This forum is what I consider home. That's why I come here for enlightenment and guidance. And because you are good dudes.
The intent is to use 2-4 lb line to catch panfish. It'll go on a 6' St Croix Panfish rod. I don't have a problem spending money on a good reel, but philosophically I'm not sure panfish require a $200 reel, either. Or maybe they do now, I dunno. I've got both mono and PLine that can go on it.
Bulldog mentioned the Fuego. I have seen a report or two ref it having flex in the stem coming down from the reel seat. As I recall I saw it mentioned on Tackle Advisors (he seemed to be a proponent of the Tatula) and in a post somewhere. (Here:
https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishi ... lt-flexes/) Not that a freakin' bluegill is gonna twist the reel off the dang rod or something.
I watched a video of a guy using a President and the line was coming off in coils. I don't necessarily want to buy into that problem, either. I've heard that larger spools tend to help prevent that.
I would prefer to have an on/off anti-reverse switch on it, but I suppose they have gone out of favor now.
I would prefer to buy and do it right the first time. If that costs more, within reason, then so be it.
Life was sooo much easier back in the day. Fifty years ago I woulda just gone and bought a Mitchell 308 or some such and called it good. Back when I was a teenager one Sunday I actually **ran** through a Kress store in order to buy a Mitchell 300 that was on sale. Back then, a Mitchell 300 was sorta the standard, and it was my first 'quality' spinning reel. Before that, I was using a little cheap Zebco open face spinning reel, although I managed to catch a 3 and 5 lb red on it one day.
Bulldog, what Shimano did you upgrade to from the Tica?
Would any of the Nasci-Sahara-Sedona triad be worth considering?