Just got my 7' ML/F 2 piece Crucial today and need a reel for it. Ive tried my 1000f Saros but at 7.x oz, i would prefer something a bit heavier to help balance it out. Ill like to stay around $100 if possible but wont mind spending a few extra if a good deal comes up. This is going to be an all around rod and ill be using 20lb braid. 

 

Thanks!

Just bump up to a 2500 or 3000 series shimano reel. The new symetre retails for a $100 and has x-ship. The step down would be the sahara, but still a solid reel. These reels are just over 9 ounces and would balance your rod just fine.

Go with the stradic 2500 fj, that will be a nice combo...

I was recently looking for a spinning reel to be used with 8# mono.  Found a couple used Fuego 2500 reels Online, but they hold a bit more line than I was needing.  You would just need to add a bit more backing.  (I didn't want backing on my reel.)

i dont mind a little bit of backing, but i dont want half a spool of it on my reel. i was thinking about the pflueger arbor or even the BPS JM/PQ reels with the wide spool. havnt read much about the the BPS though good or bad. 

 

id love the stradic if it was a different color and priced a bit lower. im not too big on the white craze lately. 

 

so far these are at the top of my list...

 

pflueger purist and arbor in 30 size. 

symetre 2500fl 

diawa lexa 1500 - ive never owned or fished any diawa product and that handle is meh..

abu orra sx

Propulsion line management system and x-ship is where my money would go. Reels without feel far inferior in casting and smoothness imho.

3000 size Shimano Symetre or Sahara would be a good choice. I just picked up one of the Saharas yesterday and it seems like a very nice reel. I chose the Sahara over the Symetre just to save a little money.

Propulsion line management system and x-ship is where my money would go. Reels without feel far inferior in casting and smoothness imho.

I used the old Abu cardinals (30-40 dollar reel) for almost a decade and recently bought a stradic...boy oh boy ...im not ever looking back. The stradic is amazing and the difference is assounding.

To the OP, the Saros and the Symetre are probably what your looking for with your budget. Check out E bay i wouldnt be surprised if you found a Saros 2500. For a little over a 100.. i found my stradic on ebay for 135

I would take my rod shopping with me to see what reel feels best on it.  I use an 8.8 oz reel on a med 7' and it's near perfect, on a slightly lighter rod like a 7' ml something in the 8 oz range may fit the bill.  If you are giving it this much thought, the only thing to do is match it up person.  This is going to be a light duty combo, I'd be going straight 10# braid with no backing, sounds like a nice Florida freshwater pond outfit for bass and peacocks.

well i gave it some more thought and im willing to spend a bit more. so now im stuck between the new saros 2500 and the new revo sx 20. kinda leaning towards the revo sx because of its shallow spool and it looks better, imo. both are on flea bay for around $130. 

 

going through my line box, i have plenty of 15# braid so ill probably have that on the main spool and 20# on the back up. 

 

btw, this rod is amazing. the tip is a bit faster than i expected but it helps with all my single hook presentations. it does have tons of backbone for being a ML rod. i was also questioning the reel seat at first but i can say now that its very comfortable and secure.  i havnt fished anything as expensive before but now that i have, i dont think i can go back to anything less.

 

 

thanks for all the replies, guys. 

A 2500-sized reel is ideal for that rod. Anything bigger or smaller would feel strange to me.

Gotta put a Shimano on that puppy! A 2500 Symetre, Saros, or Stradic FJ would be perfect.

I agree with the 2500 Stradic FJ, the 3000 is nice but lighter by like .1th of an oz, not enough to notice but has a larger handle T knob than the 2500 that would be similar to the knob on your 1000f Saros. The handle knob and line capacity are the only difference in the two. The finest reels made under $250.00 retail, if you look around they can be had for $135.00 TO $140.00, and as the hooligan said would make an excellent match for you rod!