I believe in that $45 ~ $75 range it's hard to go wrong with a Daiwa Spinning reel as they give you a solid reel with nice features for the price . I have some older Abu Garcia Cardinals , Shimano Sierra's , Pflueger Trion's / President's (with wooden knobs) - all have a lot of soul . But if starting from scratch today , it would be Daiwa spinning reels in Exceller and Legalis models .   

I like Shimano and Daiwa but honestly Daiwa beats Shimano hands down in the sub 100$-180$.  The 60$ Regal would be the way to go.  Smooth enough drag for neds and light wire hooks and far lighter then what Shimano offers at that price.  The Exceler would be 70$ or 80$ but it has a 1 piece handle that threads in.  Thread in handles have much tighter tolerances then a hex pin connection which is what you get with the Regal and any other Shimano under the Ultegra I think.  For what you pay you will be happy with the Regal and it really is a nice looking reel IMO.  Check eBay before you make a purchase.  Earlier this year you could get a Fuego for 70$ and an Exceler for 55$ or 60$, but the whole rona ordeal has caused prices to climb.   

Okuma Inspira. Lightweight, tough, and smooth.

 

Or maybe the Dicks' Okuma Stratus VI if you can find it on sale cheaper..... amazing for the price.

Okuma RTX

$59.99 Lew’s Speed Spin. 
 

I have 3 versions, 100, 200 and 300. A reel has to be exceptional IMO to buy more than 1. The only reel I have dupes of is the old Pflueger President with the wooden handle knobs.

 

These Lew’s reels are light, strong and reliable. Broke my PB LMB and Chain Pickerel on the 300 version this year. I highly recommend it.

I just picked up a Daiwa Legalis for my Ned rod. I haven't fished it yet but it seems OK for $70. 

Shimano Sienna

37 minutes ago, haggard said:

Shimano Sienna

I just bought a 2000 last night for creek trout . It seems solid and smooth especially for $30

Wow can't believe this thread is still going. I got a Daiwa Revros and it feels great for the money.

I know I’m in the minority here as I suggest looking into Piscifun or Kast King. Although I have no experience with KK spinning reels I have a Royal Legend 2 casting reel that I paid $35.00 for delivered to my door. It is not what I would consider a long term reel, I have Daiwa Tatulas for that reason but when I wanted to see if I enjoyed having a second lefty 5:1 crank reel it filled the bill. I would however suggest Piscifun Carbon X spinning reels, I have 2 and I’m very impressed with the quality. Plus if you sign up for the newsletter you get an additional 15% off.

Just ordered me a Revros 1000 & 2000. Hope everybody isn't exaggerating about them.

1 hour ago, GreenPig said:

Just ordered me a Revros 1000 & 2000. Hope everybody isn't exaggerating about them.

I have a 2500 and just got a 2000 last week. Great reels for the money. 

On 12/7/2020 at 9:50 AM, tander said:

Hate to hear this, I have 4 Pfluegers, 3 are the XT Supreme and one is the limited edition President, all great reels. I wonder if the XT Supreme is still  quality reel? I am looking at getting one more but might have to look at the Diawa,s

I had one of the gold Supreme 30 xt reels that I bought on clearance at Gander Mountain like 5 years ago, best spinning reel in it's price range hands down at the time, yeah I have been hearing the Pflueger line went to crap these days I wonder why.