I have an UL 7' Okuma EVX Guide series Spinning rod, and I currently have it paired with a 2500 size Daiwa BG spinning reel, which is to big/heavy now that I have caught the ultralight bug while pond fishing lately.

 

I love the rod, but want to get a light weight reel in 1000 size to make it more balanced. I was looking to spend $50 ballpark, maybe $75, and was looking for some ideas. I am open to any brand, even if it is a store brand like Academy, but not familiar with their spinning reels. 

 

I was looking at the Shimano Sienna for $30, and Daiwa Regal, and I noticed they have new ones in that range. I am not familiar with many of the reels put out in the last year. ...Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. Rod is weighted 2-8lb.

I have a couple of BG 1500's mounted on 7 FT HMG in Light and ML, but they are a little more than you are looking to spend.

 

The 1000 series reels are sketchy IMO. They always seemed hIt or miss, even within the same line of reels.

 

I have a couple of old 500 series Shimanos that have held up, but I think it was luck and going with a better bearing early on. I think I paid as much for the bearings as I did the reel, but I wanted a solid micro reel for keeping the weight down on canoe trips to Minnesota BWCA and a trip to Saskatchewan.

 

Good luck

Legalis LT 1000 is smooth and super light weight (below 7oz) high gear ration 6x. It pair nicely with UL rod. You should be able to find it around 50.

I was looking at a Daiwa reel called the Kage in 2000 size, but the shop owner recommended I look at this one.  It's a $60 job called the Regal LT (one of the ones you mentioned).  This line is way lighter than reels I had used in this price range before (Pflueger Presidents, Shimano Spirex, etc.).  I have gotten no farther than putting it on the rod, an ALX Zolo 7'LF, but if coronavirus goes away, the river smallmouth are fixing to see a grub go past their noses that's hooked to this rig.  This balances (with a pretty light 7' rod) right where my index finger is in this picture.

Legalis

Legalis

I have a Legalis 2500 on a 7’ Fury. It’s a great smaller set up. The 1000 would be pretty small, not in a bad way.

Thanks...I am going to look for one of the Daiwa Reels mentioned, regal, legalis....I used a friends Revros a couple of years ago for a few hours and it was also a really nice reel. Daiwa is putting out some really nice looking quality reels at good prices.

 

I have kind of always been a daiwa guy for spinning reels. I try to find older models on clearance and have been lucky enough to score a Procyon 3000 as my main spinning reel, and a BG combo for fresh and salt in 2500 which I love.

 

I like the Pflueger president for the value, but its a little heavy. I have a few Okuma reels as well, but they don't seem to hold up as long as I would like. 

 

Luckily I have plenty of time to look online for a reel....Ebay usually has some good prices.

Any of the daiwa LT series reel will be good.

As well as the shimano Sedona, Sahara and Nasci.

They will all be smooth and fairly trouble free.

1000 to 2500 size should serve for your purpose. I have tried most of them . As of now, most of my low end spinning reels consist of daiwa 1000 size reels. But I still have some older shimano' s in the mix too.

I’d spend the ten extra bucks and get a daiwa exceler, 2500 on the auction site right now for $60, this is a fuego minus the sealed bearings, I have a few, excellent value