45 minutes ago, Corey91 said:

Well, I have a rod and reel ordered. Thanks everyone for all the replies. I ended up going with a dobyns medium fast rod and a Pflueger President-25. I will probably put 20lb braid on it with an 8lb leader. 

I would put some cohesive athletic tape around the arbor of that 2500 spool until it only held 100 yards of either 10 lb or 15 lb braid at most. Braid usually breaks at a much higher strength than it's advertised at. The smaller size line will have less wind resistance and that can be a consideration when fishing lightweight baits in order to maintain contact without having to resort to heavy sinkers that get hung up easier.

 

Quality fishing line is expensive (but worth it to some degree) so if you can get two fills from a 200 yard spool, that will be like paying half price if you were going to fill the ridiculous spools that they ship to us here in North America. Even if I bought a 150 yard spool, I would have no qualms about putting 75 yards of braid on it if I am using leaders of fluoro or mono on it and only losing a foot of braid when I attach a new leader. JMHO and YMMV.

^ What he said. I've only got 75yds of 10# braid on my Pres-25 rig, backed by 6# mono. Then it's 6# InvizX for leaders.

If I were to spend Truely spend $150 for this set up I would first buy one of two rods in ML 7ft' rods.

1-https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072K2DR1P/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&aaxitk=347dd79a14e760d46a9060d8f9872b88&hsa_cr_id=1725706520601&pd_rd_plhdr=t&pd_rd_r=fe631a86-20f2-4907-8c9d-f65878649f56&pd_rd_w=0eOVH&pd_rd_wg=iTRkR&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle_mcd_asin_1_img

 

2-https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Daiwa_Aird_X_Spinning_Rods/descpage-DAXS.html

 

That way I would be able to get a really nice reel in a 2500 that will stay in your arsenal for a while, my favorites are.....

 

Shimano - Sahara and Nasci

Both are super smooth and the Nasci has some seals if you want to do some salt fishing. All around great reels.

 

Diawa - Legalis LT or Exceler LT

Both are phenomenal reels for the money, Super smooth and I prefer the line catch on the bail arm and handles over the Shimano's. the minor details are nicer.

 

Down the road any of the four reels would set nicely on a $150 rod and not feel out of place.