Looking to get a nice spinning set up for tubes, drop shot, and other finesses applications.. Price range is 250-400 dollars. Would like to get some opinions from all of you! Appreciate it

For 400 bucks you can get a setup you won't want to upgrade for quite some time to come, The St Croix SCIII Avid AVS68MXF a 6'8" MXF rod would be near the best out there at any price and as good as it comes for it's price around 160 buck's. 

 

Top that off with the new Stradic Ci4+ in the 1000FA size with XSHIP for around 210 bucks, and you got the slickest smoothest stoutest and lightest spinning reel made for this type of fishing. Put this set together and I doubt you would be happier with any other combo for this price.

 

If you want a split grip and better a blank the SCIV Legend Tournament  TBC610MLXF a 6'10" MXF for around 240 bucks, with a Stradic 1000FJ for around 145 bucks,  would be the same quality real but a little heavier by about 1 oz.

 

Awful hard to come up with a sweeter package's for close to this money, and both will be within your 400 dollar budget!!!!

KLX and a Stradic is what I'd get. Best rod under $250 I've used, and I've used almost all of them. Stradics are smooth, powerful, and last a long time. Won't do much better for $300ish.

I'd check the net for a Daiwa Ballistic. They are being marked down and still available. Use the reel savings to upgrade the rod a bit. St.Croix LTB or better yet check into a local custom rod builder and have one made to your spec.

I went with a stradic ci4+ but went for the 2500 size... Paired mine with a cumara 7'1" M-F shakey head rod...best spinning setup I've ever used

I second the 6'8" mxf avid with the spinning reel of your choice

I 3rd the Avid 6'8" M/XF.  Very versatile rod and mine is my designated tube rod.  I looked at a bunch of different brands before I bought this one, spent more time shopping this rod than any other in my entire life and for me it absolutely excels for tubes and other finesse presentations.  

Sounds like the Avid is the winner. Thanks for the input, I appreciate it!