Looking for recommendations for a new finesse setup. I like 1500 - 2500 sized spinning reels. Would like to find a nice 6’ or 6’6 rod to go with it. Looking for a sensitive, fast-action tip with with decent enough backbone to land 3 - 4 pounders. Not gonna be spending $300 on the rod, but would like to find something decent. 
 

Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

Lew's TP1 Black is $129 on TW if you're okay with micro guides. The 6'9" ML/F is my baby for finesse spinning. I use it with a 2500-size NASCI spooled with 15lb PowerPro V2 to a 6lb YZH leader,

3 minutes ago, Doubles said:

Looking for recommendations for a new finesse setup. I like 1500 - 2500 sized spinning reels. Would like to find a nice 6’ or 6’6 rod to go with it. Looking for a sensitive, fast-action tip with with decent enough backbone to land 3 - 4 pounders. Not gonna be spending $300 on the rod, but would like to find something decent. 
 

Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

I just upgraded my gear after extensive research and landed with the St. Croix 6' 6" Avid X ML F.  It has micro guides (which some folks don't like).  I haven't used it much though yet! The regular Axid would be good IMHO too.  I got mine for about 180.  MF might suit you well in those models if you are worried about backbone.  I went ML because the majority of fish I catch are 1lb or so, with a few up to 3 - 4lb.

 

There are other good options that are cheaper in the St. Croix line - like the premiere.  And possibly the mojo bass - highly rated around here.

 

 

 

Med action Fenwick HMG. Shimano Sahara 2500 spinning reel. There are lots of other options also

On a reasonable budget, I would go with a Daiwa BG reel. A little heavy, but a very solid reel for the price. The 2000 size is quite ideal for finesse as you can run 6lb, 8lb or even 10lb test or 10 - 20# braid so it'll handle pretty much all line choices pretty well.

 

For a rod, the St Croix Mojo Bass 6'10" ML/XF would not be a bad choice. They run a touch heavier than your typical ML and will handle ned rigs and drop shots very well and is a great blank for the price.

For an unreasonable budget, a shimano poison adrena 267ml rod with a vanford c200hg reel (total weight about about 8-1/2 oz - not factoring in line weight) is an insanely fun spinning rig.

Phenix Maxim rod.  Longer than you want this at 7’3”. But the thing is amazing to me.  I convinced a 5lb that my kayak was the place it needed to be. Super sensitive.