Recommendations for a versatile/ultimate Spanish setup?

What would you folks recommended for a good (under/at $500 all around) for a Spanish (rod&reel) setup? I know that's a good bit of $$ but looking to make it a dang near lifetime purchase.

Right now my current setup is a Shimano Nasci 2500 on a 7'6 ML St Croix Triumph..it's a great setup. But feels like it lacks backbone and being versatile, I mostly used to use this setup for light tackle speck fishing...the last days when those Spanish were hitting if they were to have gotten any bigger (and I guess they weren't that big at all, really) and I would of been the googan asking for a net on a sub-20 inch fish. Something that can cast a country mile and maybe withstand up to a school of Jacks or Reds cruisin' through, but maybe that's asking too much out of one setup.

I'm really really not a fan of Penn, I like Daiwa and Shimano but willing to try out a new brand/product..maybe I just need to go J&M and yack someone's head off about it, lol.

Spanish reels for me are a 4000 series, I like the stradics , but use the Cabos too
rods really just go by feel . I have a couple favorites most are 7-8ft , something I can cast most of the day

I have a few when I come, just in case of falures , and adding to try all the time, hoping to get 1 or 2 wrapped before the next trip to try, that couldn't be fished before stripping (to bad)
the roller rods stayed the last couple trips (sold)
And they all fit in the rod tube

Don't over think it, it's just fishing

https://i.postimg.cc/zfrkQ8T6/20180419-170843.jpgibc atm

I agree with Ironman -- spanish set-ups need to be lightweight for making a million casts a day. That's hyperbole....mainly.

Lots of reels fit the bill, although if you want it to handle a jack or a king that hits your spanish rig, you need something with the reel capacity and drag to make it work. I like the 4000 penns, but diawa BG or shimano are fine of course, and others.

I bought a blair wiggens s-curve rod years ago, 8 ft. heavy. It slings stuff a mile paired with a 4000 penn and 15 or 20 lb braid. It has handled reds, jacks and kings, easily swings up big spanish, and has great sensitivity with a fast tip. Unfortunately the wright mcgill model I have is no longer made. Lews is putting out the new models, and they do offer an 8 foot heavy spinning rod. Some folks had problems with the WM models breaking, but mine is still going strong with many trips under its belt. I'm sure the Lew's branded ones will be similar in performance and maybe a bit stronger.

I bought their 8 foot st. croix mojo catfish spinning rod last year because it is a fiberglass blend blank and two piece. I saw some reviews about it being great for casting plugs with the backbone for whipping fish, and it is. Lightweight, too. Handled kings and jacks like a grown-up, but still does well throwing a #10 or #12 xrap. Love the 2 piece for travel.

Last but not least, I have a TFO 7'6" medium that is more like medium heavy. Super sensitive and lots of backbone. They have a saltwater series now, I believe. It has handled a couple of small kings that hit gotcha's or small LY, and does really well on spanish. You can be undergunned a bit when trying to horse them away from sharks.

You should get lots of other recommendations. Half the fun of fishing is buying new stuff. :)