mrpao

The spools are not compatible between the different reels.
The spool shafts are different.
I think shimano designed them this way to keep people from just swapping spools. Instead, you have to buy another reel.

SLX Mgl is top spool
Curado 150 Mgl is middle.
Tranx 150 spool on bottom 
 

I own both Daiwa and shimano spinning reels. Cheap to expensive.
You wont go wrong with either one. 
The Vanford is a good reel for the price. Shimano reels seem to remain tight and smooth with age.
Daiwa's have a tendency to loosen up a little with age. Unless you are using a straight retrieve lure, you probably won't notice it.
 
Since you like shimano's, stick with the Vanford or get a JDM equivalent like the Complex XR or Soare XR.

For an inexpensive reel, I recommend the Piscifun carbon x.
I started off with two reels. Now I have a whole fleet of them.
I use them more now than my daiwa's and shimano's.
They can be found for around $50, give or take alittle. Plus the spare spools can be ordered from piscifun for pretty cheap.
If you order from Aliexpress, they can even come with a spare shallow spool.

For finesse plastics, if going with a baitcast rod, the expride 7'2" ml+ is a good rod. I find it more sensitive than the expride 7'2" mh.
Another rod to consider is then Poison adrena 6'11" m+. Its also a very sensitive rod that will work with lighter plastics.
As for the reel - shimano aldebaran.
It would match up nicely with those rods. The combo will be super lightweight- around 9.5 oz with line.