I recently purchased a St. Croix Premier 7ft Medium Light Fast action 2 piece spinning rod. I have done some research on some reels but do not want to buy the "wrong" one. This will be the nicest setup I own so I really want to get the right choice. Here are some that I have been looking at. If anyone has any recommendations I am open to researching more reels.

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/daiwa-bg-spinning-reel

Daiwa BG

https://www.basspro.com/p/daiwa-regal-lt-spinning-reel-101453913 

Daiwa Regal LT

https://www.basspro.com/p/shimano-miravel-spinning-reel

Shimano Miravel

https://www.basspro.com/p/shimano-nexave-fi-spinning-reel 

Shimano Nexave

I have that same rod in a 1 piece. I have a Shimano 2500 on it. I use it for Ned, shaky, small swim bait and finesse jig fishing. It’s my favorite spinning setup.

BG is bulletproof but heavy. Any shimano or Diawa in that price range are excellent.

Miravel for finesse, Ultegra for power - ya, Shimano runs two different lines of spinning reels. I have both and am very happy with them.

I have both a Miravel 1000 and the B&G in 1500 size and will say they are on completely opposite ends of the weight scale. If I could only have one though I’d pick the Daiwa as it simply feels bulletproof. I also have a Shimano 1000 Stradic and if asked the same question as above I’d probably still pick the Daiwa again weight and all but after thinking about it it would be really hard giving up either one. Don’t overlook BPS’s house branded spinning reels which are made by Daiwa or more likely Tica which I’ve learned from @bulldog1935, I was informed by a BPS salesman the BPS JM signature series which I do own is a silver painted Daiwa Fuego and so on and so forth based on the price point. I also have the Carbonlite 2.0 which is currently running $90.00 but I’m not sure which Daiwa model it would compare to. Besides the paint scheme the biggest difference between the 2 brands is the BPS reels have what I would consider standard spool depths vs the Daiwa having deep spools on many of their spinning reels.

Edited March 16Mar 16 by Eric 26
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My son and I have been very happy with the Shimano NASCI and Miravel. His current favorite for newer reels is the miravel. Super smooth. We do have a nexave, but I'd recommend the miravel in that price range. I see others are as well.

11 minutes ago, Eric 26 said:

I was informed by a BPS salesman the BPS JM signature series which I do own is a silver painted Daiwa Fuego

Scheels is right up front saying that their name-branded reels are actually Daiwas.

I'd offer another suggestion.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Daiwa_Prorex_X_LT_Spinning_Reel/descpage-DPRXL.html

I have this reel in the 2500 size and it is hands down the smoothest, nicest spinning reel under $100 I've ever owned.

39 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Scheels is right up front saying that their name-branded reels are actually Daiwas.

Good point @MN Fisher and definitely a reason for the OP to keep his eyes open especially for a sale on them.

13 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I'd offer another suggestion.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Daiwa_Prorex_X_LT_Spinning_Reel/descpage-DPRXL.html

I have this reel in the 2500 size and it is hands down the smoothest, nicest spinning reel under $100 I've ever owned.

Another one I overlooked and although I’m not a cold weather fisherman I myself along with a few others on here appreciate the slower gear ratio as well. I will also add knowing the quality and size of fish @Bluebasser86 catches if he says it’s legit especially at that price point it’s definitely worth looking into.

JDM Stradic from Digitaka. https://www.digitaka.com

Many people on the forum will vouch for them.

Yeah, it's clearly the JDM stradic. Last I looked they were about $155.

Okuma ITX CB hands down. I have two of them each paired with a St. Croix Premier ML rod. Absolute fire for Neds, Tubes, and other finnese techniques. You can normally find them on sale and save a few bucks if you shop around online. Don't pay the 180 dollar Tackle Warehouse price. Bought both of mine for less than 150 each.

I would go with either a Stradic (just over your budget but worth it) or an Ultegra. 2500 size.

Miravel from Digitaka at 104.00 or

Diawa Caldia at 155.00

Both are impressive reels.

Consider the JDM Stradic. Miravel and the others mentioned here are good. I have a Nasci 1000 that I like. But value wise I recently bought a Stradic 2500 from JLS for the same price as miravel here in Canada. Cant really go wrong with any of them but Stradic is a step up for the same $ out of your pocket

20 hours ago, NavyToad said:

JDM Stradic from Digitaka. https://www.digitaka.com

Many people on the forum will vouch for them.

@NavyToad , is there any difference between the JDM Stradic vs the model I would get as BPS?

BPS version you get a warranty.....that's about it....

43 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

BPS version you get a warranty.....that's about it....

@MN Fisher , thanks. Randy

@Randy Price - the grip might be different depending on the model. I forget which way it is but in some cases you get a T-handle and in some you only get the nub/straight handle. Check out the pictures on digitaka.

15 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

@Randy Price - the grip might be different depending on the model. I forget which way it is but in some cases you get a T-handle and in some you only get the nub/straight handle. Check out the pictures on digitaka.

Thanks @casts_by_fly !

@Randy Price C3000 sizes in Stella worm-drive series (through Stradic) come with 55-mm tee handle.

It also comes on large-frame 4000 model.

4 hours ago, Randy Price said:

@NavyToad , is there any difference between the JDM Stradic vs the model I would get as BPS?

Other than the considerable price difference I couldn't say without doing some research. The JDM Stradic at $150 is probably the best reel you'll find under $175.

11 hours ago, Columbia Craw said:

Miravel from Digitaka at 104.00 or

Diawa Caldia at 155.00

Both are impressive reels.

I have 2 or 3 JDM Caldias. I chose them over the Stradic - Shimano makes bicycle parts and I'll never get over it. LOL!

@Randy Price Answering out of turn, you'll have 14 different model choices with different gear ratios and spool capacity (depth) vs. 5 choices in USM Stradic FM

Chart below

Japan Fishing and Tackle News

Most Sold Spinning Reel from SHIMANO Has Come Back Renewe...

This is the mid year new fishing products season as we have already introduced you DAIWA 23 LEGALIS, SHIMANO has also revealed some renewal of products. And we assumed this is one of the biggest news

I second what @MN Fisher shared --- Miravel for finesse and Ultegra for power (at the $175 price point) - it looks like you would place the reel on a ML rod - Will you be fishing power ? finesse ? a mix ? with the rod - That decision (along with the weight of the reel and how it balances with your rod) could point you towards the reel that best fits for you - As was mentioned above Shimano has reels in their "Core Solid" (power - NASCI/ULTEGRA/STRADIC/Twin Power) and MGL (finesse - Miravel/Vanford/Vanquish) lines - As mentioned you can potentially stretch your $$$ by going JDM (Digitaka or other JDM tackle shops)

On 3/16/2026 at 10:47 AM, Jig Man said:

I have that same rod in a 1 piece. I have a Shimano 2500 on it. I use it for Ned, shaky, small swim bait and finesse jig fishing. It’s my favorite spinning setup.

Do you have the new version premier that came out last year? I have a few of the old ones that are nice but really interested in the new model