Hey guys, I just purchased a St.Croix Bass X rod in 7'4 heavy. I am trying to find the right reel to pair with it for a flipping/pitching application. my price range is $100-$130.

Let me know your guys opinions! Thanks!

Any reel with a quicker ratio, and good gears& drag. Theres some good deals at times in the fleamarket section at times.

I prefer shimano reels and have nothing but left handed retrieve baitcasting reels. What works for me? may not work for you.

 Your best bet? I'd suggest taking the rod in question to a local Bass Pro, or Cabelas, or tackle shop,..etc. and try some reels on it, see how they feel to you. how low they sit on the rod, how it balances out,,... etc.

 That way you find whats right for you.

My flipping rod has a Daiwa Tatula Type R 8-1 reel on it, it works very well.  Check out the Tatula type r 8-1, and also check out the slightly smaller Tatul CT in a 8-1 or even the CT type R.  Amazon has a bunch of suppliers with some very good pricing.  I actually fish 1 Daiwa Exceler, 2 Tatula CTs and 4 Daiwa Tatula Type Rs. I really like these reels.  I use both left and right hand reels. I use right handed reels for baits I chuck and wind like spinnerbaits, traps and crankbaits. Lures I throw, drop and hop back like jigs, texas rigged plastics, or sweep and let sit like a carolina rig. I prefer to use a lefty for pitchin and flipping  so I never change hands to cast and retrieve the bait.  I am right handed so I hold the bait in my left hand, then cast holding the rod in my right hand. I am in position to hook the fish as the bait falls.

I use a 7.2 to 1 ratio reel for my flipping and pitching. The old lady asked what iwanted for Christmas and the reel I showed her was a 8.1.1 reel. regardless the 7.2 has never let me down. So a good fast reel with good gears will do you good. As far as company and retrieve go that's all on the user

I've got a Lew's SuperDuty in 8:1. Beefy gearing, faster ratio, Lew's reel, good to go. 

aluminum frame is a must. quick retrieve. most of all, how it fits in your hand.