With the new lighter rods with the faster responsive tip, I have a preference to a reel that is lighter.
1. Agree with startup inertia is important, when the drag is high and little backing is how. I do not want to feel the rod jerked out of my hand, but once you got lots of backing out the line out is the shock absorber. When the backing is far out, you do not want to much stress at the line backing junction, because the reel did not give.
2. Large Arbour. Reel in fast, so the reel handle must be on the right side.
3. Something, I would like to "palm" to add drag.
4. I like to have the cage open for the backing, to allow the backing to dry after I soak the reel.
I added my voice, as I am not sure this last point was covered.
Though my partner (enjoys the saltwater), she is content to keep to bonefish and limited (no) interest to go after large tarpon. So I have two 11wts, that's it. In keep, with this, what I have is ....
A. Abel SDS - I did not like the old Abels (did not fell good to "palm")
B. Danielsson HD - no one else mention this, so I guess I stand out. I have had no issues.
C. Backup is an old Nautilus 12DD. I also have some Nautilus S for my long spey rods. I am always watching for another 12DD or even a much smaller Nautilus 8 (for a smaller trout spey).
When I had a choice for Nautilus versus Abel, I like the feel of the new Abel.
Never fished the Tibor Signature, nor palmed it, so I do not know if I like or not like its feel. I know there is a near cult following here for them (like Hardy on Spey rods).
Islander is an honourable mention.