Spinning reels....

 My old Stradic's only had 3-4 bearings & were very good reels for the price range ov 'bout 'round $200 or so. Seen & sold many junk garbage reels that had a bunch ov bearings (over 6) You get what u pay for in most cases, so can't just go by # ov bearings in my book (false info) The new Stradic's have 6 but not as good as the old with 3-4 bearings.
 
crappy

 
OleDog Rap,
Penn is middle management!  You either need to be an IT Specialist or Project Management in today's culture to be rocking one of those!!!  Ha, ha.  I am one that favors reliability in anything over style.  As Walter Gropius would say, "form follows function".  Penn's are pretty basic, but work.  And hopefully mine works as long as Brock's!  They seem to stick with things that used to be standard in the 70's, but no longer are (full metal body).  They use modern upgrades that seem (to me at least) make sense.  In the sealed bearings and carbon fiber drag (might be from the 70's too...).  Other than that, most new reels are trying to look cool or try to trick you with numbers.  Penn looks like they are stuck in the 90's style wise, which wins points with me!  Slap a t-shirt, flannel and jeans that aren't painted on, and you might not be able to tell me apart from it.  ZelieSam is a big fan too, and trust his fishing sense (pretty sure he ruled the 90's too).  Catching sense, he seems to be on my level, so not sure if I trust that...  But someone that I know researches things.  I think you will like it.  Probably not love it, but you probably shouldn't be snuggling up with your fishing reel, unless you are one of those weirdos...
As Crappy (site genius in my book and know at least one of his kids can catch fish, not sure about the old man) noted, flip the bail and don't crank it through!  Most reels that I have bought in the last 15+ years since doing that practice, have seemed to hold up much better, including some cheapos.  When that "flip" mechanism shears, your reel is basically worthless.  Kind of like driving a manual, and gives you more control.  I hate agreeing with BTDT, as my street cred dips significantly, but I like his mention of the reverse.  Master that **** is what I was told growing up, and the women will love you...  Not sure how that applies///...
 
StrAiT rIIDer!  

It's not the arrow, it's the Indian. Just like golf clubs. I know guys that carry $2500 in irons, $1000 drivers, Scotty Cameron putters .. blah blah blah. Then they promptly shot high 50s and over 100 for 18.

I guarantee I'll catch as many fish on my $80 BG that any clown will using some $500+ spinning reel. juS saY'IN.