Spinning reels for the noodles??

I use a one of those garbage Okuma's...lol. Third year with it. No issues. 

I wasn't suggesting you need to buy an expensive reel. I just don't like Okuma. I had several and none of them would ever wind the line on the spool evenly.  One ( forget which models I even had, they are in a landfill now) had a seam on the drag knob (why I have know idea) that the line would get caught in and knicked up, or broke off if a fish was running while it was caught in there.
I got sucked into all the hype with 10 ball bearing this and that and bought Okuma's, Tica's, Daiwa's,quantums,Pfluegers.  I don't like any of them. 
 
Just by Shimano and be done with it.
 
I do have a cheap Abu Garcia Cardinal reel that I use bass/striper/smally fishing that I've had for 10 years, longest any reel has ever held up for me. The drag isn't quite smooth enough to handle light line for steelhead though.

I've mostly  used Shimmano reels for spinning and baitcasting, what you might want to consider is getting a rear drag model for steelhead in whatever reel you decide, for me it seems much easier to adjust the drag when the fish is running. Just a thought
 
D-,MAC

I am using Pfleuger now, but I have had good success with Diawa. Shimano is junk, don't ever get one wet.

I use shamanos and brownings..they are ok reels with a good enough drag
i have got them wet and they were fine...i buy on the low to mid range price because i know i beat the he11 out of a reel between the salmon and steel i catch in a year...so with the realization of how i use them i don't mind spending $70 every couple years when i kill one....although i havn't burned one up in 5 years now

One thing to consider. When folks pay $150-$200 for a reel. Said reel tends to recieve better care & maintenance than one that they paid $50-$60 for.

I have the 20, it holds 200yd of 4lb Invisx and 150yd of 10lb braid nicely. Do you have the 20 or 40? Doesn't seem heavy to me. But my noodle has a real long handle that maybe balances it a bit better.

Used a pfluger templar the last few years and caught loads of steelhead and a 40lb grass carp with it. @ $50. I think the big thing with peoples reels ****ting out is they don't clean and oil them right every month or after getting muck on it from laying it on the ground..just sayin

Currently, my favorite spinning reel is the Shimano Stradic CI4.  I have a couple older Sustains, a Stradic Mg and some other older Stradics and the CI4 has them all beat.

before I quit using spinning reels I used the Stradic exclusively.Great drag and took a beatin.IMO you cant beat it in that price range.

Im with Loomis, the Exo is bad**** While i do have and use some Okumas, i love my Quantum energy, smoke, and exo

For the money and quality you get .. check out the Shimano Saros. Best reel for the money on the planet in my opinion. You can pick one off on ebay for under 100.00.

I'm Penn all the way now.  Any reel that needs replaced gets replaced with Penn.  I've gone through all the brands in 20 years up to around $150 and none has held up better than Penn.  They are sealed and saltwater grade.  Guiding in Erie for 3 years before I had twins I used Quantums that fell apart from the overuse.  Penns are still going.  I like the Sargus models and but even the Fierce models have held up for bass reels.  I have a Sargus for steelhead going on 4 years of Steelhead fishing.  Fishes like its new.  Shimano is junk until you get to the 150-200 dollar reels.  Okuma...junk.  Literally have seen the actual mounting pieces break off when picked up out of a rodholder, and numerous other problems.  Pflueger is the one reel I can't speak on.  The rest..never buy again.  About 20 reels in my fleet for 40 or so rods and every one that goes down I buy a Penn to take its place.  Just my .02 and that and about $38 will get you a new fishing license. 

Ive been using a 45 dollar okuma for the last 3 seasons....still going strong.  
Croatian, what do u recommend for upkeep?

I'm with Joe on the Penn Reels, they're some tough SOB's.  I've had a Penn Sargus since 2007 that's been through hell, and it still keeps coming back for more punishment.  Drag is still as smooth as the day I bought it.