I like shimanos when using lures or freelining shrimp or greenbacks but prefer to use penns when using bigger live baits like pinfish or ladyfish for snook and tarpon. Like somebody else said its what your using them for.
I've used both and don't really have a preference but if I had to choose it would have to be a Shimano Spheros. They are both too expensive but the Shimano Spheros is a good all around reel in my opinion. It's not too (too) expensive, it's a workhorse and will take a beating and can be used in 4' of water as well as 40' of water. I think of it depends on how you're going to fish and I find the Spheros to be pretty versatile. I own 1 Shimano (not a spheros) and 1 Penn because I got them at good prices. I too like Okuma and have 2 or 3 plus a few Shakespears and a $25 Pinnacle reel that the guy at the tackle store said will only last the rest of the summer but I'll have to get a new reel before long, that was 5 or 6 years ago, still got it and it works fine.
i have caught more BIG snook with penn. if i am pier fishing, i prefer penn, if i am out light tackle or throwing artificials i like my shimanos. i use both regularly. and i agree on the $$$ issue. i only have both because i try to purchase when its too good of a deal to pass up. i have bagged some really nice stuff at more than half off just because of timing.
