Hey guy's I'm just getting back into doing some local freshwater fishing especially on the reservoir across the street from my house.  Been fishing mostly rubbers and having a blast catching small and largemouth.  Started with a 25 dollar spinning reel/rod combo from dicks.  With the yen being so cheap I have the itch to splurge on a nice jdm setup (I already have a golf club problem so add it to the list).  Any recs.  

What is your budget?

Baitcasting or spinning?

What do you want to use it for?

Spinning or casting? Budget? $100-250, $250-500, over 500?

If casting youll probably want something with either a SV spool from Daiwa or an MGL spool/DC reel from Shimano. If you are a beginner at baitcasting rods and reels the above spools/technology are great for beginners and will drastically reduce backlashes and birds nests. Very easy to use and learn on. But if you know how to use a baitcaster already they will still be some really great reels.

 

Do you want to fish finesse stuff like ned rigs, wacky worms, tube jigs, weightless soft plastics?

Or crankbaits, jerkbaits, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits/buzzbaits, texas rigs, etc....

 

How many different rod and reel combos are you looking to get? 1, 2, 5?

Thanks for the replies!   I have very limited experience with baitcasters so I need a spinning reel.  Fishing with soft plastics with a small weight.  Would like just one combo for now.  Budget i'm willing to spend over 500 bucks on a nice setup.  

Spend 250 on 2 nice setups

7ft Medium fast

7ft Medium Heavy fast

 

2500 or 3000 sized reel

JDM Stradic is the no-brainer spinning reel.  

$140 in mid-frame 2500 size.  

Don't expect shipping before May 6 because of national holidays next week.  

$5 more gets 3000MHG, which is beefed-up mid-frame with braid spool and large-frame drag.  

@Awainer1 - I fixed my 3000MHG link just above.