Do you want a spin or baitcaster. There are some great baitcasters in that price range. Do you plan to live bait??

Too many birdsnests with the baitcasters. Starting her off with a spin reel, bit easier to start with. I was looking maybe at the new Stradic 5000FJ. Anyone used one of these yet?  

They sound pretty impressive and have read some good reports. Might look at the 3000 size. Around $200 is pretty good if it can do what the reviews say. Going to match it with a Raider Barra Spin 601 5-8kg. Should do the trick. Bit hard judging the size comparisons, im used to the Shimanos and the Daiwas are heaps different. Not much stremlining with reel sizing across the board.

I love my stradic's mate, have to be one of if not.. the best value for money reels on the market...

If your missus loves the 8000.... definately get a smaller 1...  Stick to whats been tried and tested... 

(unlike me who is a tackle/reel junkie)

the shimano rarinium is a brilliant little reel. like the stradics they have 6 drag washers therefore alot of power even in the smaller sizes. the 2500 has 10kg of drag.

i own a ci4 4000 and a daiwa fuego (american rebadged luvious) 3000, both light and smooth and great value for money, if you think i ci4 4000 is to big the fuego 3000 is just a touch smaller and in the hand feels smoother than the stradic and just as light as they are made from zaion, im about to purchase a fuego 1500 they seem the goods at less than $200, just checked the place i bought mine and unfortunately they sold out of the 2000 and 3000 models, only the 1500 and 1000 left.

hope that helps and good luck.

*edit* as for stopping a barra my ci4 is loaded with 30lb accudepth braid has 9kg of drag and has stopped 8kg mahi mahi without much fuss, i think a few guys here use em for demersal jigging so cant see why stopping a big barra would be a problem.

I have a Shimano 4000 D series baitrunner that is not only ideal for throwing lures but also gives you that live bait option.Cost around $240 i think .They are reasonably light but if lightness is what your after then you cant go past a 4000 ci4 (Ihave a 2500).There is also the Shimano thunnus ci4 which is the best of both worlds baitrunner and light but i think the price would be in the $300+ range.

I agree, Im also a fan of the Shimano Thunnus ci4... You can get them a bit cheaper from online stores on ebay.... Id probably go this as my number 1 choice for a smaller reel actually!!  Then the Stradic..

The Stradic Ci 4000 sounds pretty popular. And sounds like it should handle the work thrown at it. I had a look at the Daiwa Freams as well. The 3000 looks like it could compare to the Stradic with power but the Stradic has 2kg more drag. The Freams is a damn nice looking reel but then so is the Stradic.... Mmmm,what to do...? 

 Just ordered the Thunnus Ci4 4000 matched with the Shimano Raider 601 1pc Barra Spin 5-8kg. She liked the idea of the baitrunner option so she can put the rod down and fall asleep and look for shells and play on her phone. She usually lands bigger and better fish like that while everyone else is stiiting there for hours, closely watching their lines. I got the Thunnus for $289 from Motackle and the rod was only $99. Pretty sweet. Thanks for all your help and information.

 Sounds like a fair trade to me :)