While I do not currently do lots of spodding, a few seasons back I joined Grenville Lake, a large water that often required baiting at range. There were two requirements that I decided any potential spod reel needed, namely a fast retrieve and strong build quality.
Winding a spod back multiple times from distances over the 100 yard mark involves a lot of turns of the reel handle and, as a result, isn't kind on the hands. So, the retrieve rate was of huge importance. This reel ticked the box there as it hauls back an incredible metre of line for every turn of the handle. That was it then, decision made, and I soon purchased two Emblems, one each for my spod and marker rods, albeit the drag on the Emblem is not designed for the latter.
That season, and the one beyond, saw me use both reels extensively and they both stood up to some rigorous workouts on a regular basis.
I didn't really do much to maintain them either, save for the off wash down to get any spod mix remnants, but neither displayed any reduction in efficiency or performance.
Latterly, I fish a smaller water that does not require spotting but I do use the marker on occasion, without any fuss whatsoever. While there are a few more dedicated spod reels available now - there weren't when I bought these - I'd still stick with the Emblem. It's a decent price, is an absolute workhorse and they are solid as a rock. I've said it many times before, while some reels are built to look nice, these are built to last.
If you're after a reliable reel for your spod rod and do not have unlimited funds (or even if you do) then check it out