I'm looking for a reel + rod that will cost less than $200

Can't beat the pflueger president reel. Workhorse reel for around $60. That leaves you some room to get a higher quality rod. With spinning gear and finesse fishing in general, sensitivity is key. So spending a little more on the rod is worth it IMO. There are a lot of great offerings out there with what you'll have left, and you'll have yourself an awesome spinning setup.

Can't beat the pflueger president reel. Workhorse reel for around $60. That leaves you some room to get a higher quality rod. With spinning gear and finesse fishing in general, sensitivity is key. So spending a little more on the rod is worth it IMO. There are a lot of great offerings out there with what you'll have left, and you'll have yourself an awesome spinning setup.

thanks dude ill probably get the pflueger, do you think it will be good with the Veritas rod?

Spending more on a rod is totally worth it. Shimano crucials are great rods, with lifetime over the counter warranty. 

No problem. I've never used a Veritas but i've heard a lot of good things about them. I've talked to multiple people who have whole arsenals of them for tournament fishing. I would get the reel first, and then take it to a store and mount it on the rod. See how you like the balance, and decide from there. It's got to feel right in your hands. The pflueger is my first choice, but I also like the Okuma Trio reels, which can be had for around the same price.

What mkfriedrich said above is spot on. The Shimano warranty is the best I've heard of.

daiwa aird or penn battle combo

No experience with the Veritas.  I can highly recommend the Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth series.  Which rod depends on what you plan on using it for.  I'm a fan of Pflueger as well.

With $200 to spend id pick up a shimano compre rod, and a stradic fj.

I've got a setup ~ $100 total

Daiwa AirD Spinning Rod (IM6) paired with a high speed Okuma Trio 30s

Great sensitivity at IM6 and a fast gear to pull those fish in with..

 

Orange/gold on the pair .. looks super-sharp / fashionable as well.. and we know how important that is..

You might want to consider the Fenwick Elite Tech rod as well. I haven't used one but they get outstanding reviews and are within your budget if you get a 50-60 dollar spinning reel

No experience with the Veritas.  I can highly recommend the Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth series.  Which rod depends on what you plan on using it for.  I'm a fan of Pflueger as well.

just bass

 

I've got a setup ~ $100 total

Daiwa AirD Spinning Rod (IM6) paired with a high speed Okuma Trio 30s

Great sensitivity at IM6 and a fast gear to pull those fish in with..

 

Orange/gold on the pair .. looks super-sharp / fashionable as well.. and we know how important that is..

wow looks really nice, the okuma looks cool thats one of my choices now

 

You might want to consider the Fenwick Elite Tech rod as well. I haven't used one but they get outstanding reviews and are within your budget if you get a 50-60 dollar spinning reel

can i get a good reel with $50-60?

I feel like you can get a quality spinning reel in that range. Pflueger and shimano both make some that people like.