I got a g-loomis mossyback BCR853 rod and don't know what reel would be a good match. I have been looking at the daiwa sol or I have been checking out some of the Japanesse daiwa reels also. I'm looking at anything in the $200-$300 range so hope you guys can give me some good advice. If I was to go with a Japanesse reel what would be a good one to go with.

For that kind of money and now that GinRinPeche closed it 's e-bay store there 's no point in purchasing a Japanese reel when you get the same thing in a domestic version, the good thing about GinRin was that you could get a good japanese reel anywhere from 50 to over a 100 dollars less than it 's domestic counterpart. With domestic reels you have repair service and guarantee, with Japanese reels you are on your own.

The only differences between the Alphas and the Sol are the handle ( which lightens the reel ) and one gear aluminum ( which lightens the reel ) vs brass, the rest is exactly the same and now the Alphas costs 20-50 dollars ( depending upon the version ) more than the Sol.

Right now the only Japanese reel I would go for in that price range would be the Daiwa Pixy which has no equivalent in the domestic market and designed specifically for finesse fishing, but that 's about it.

I'd go with the Abu Garcia Revo STX - $199.   I've got 2 Revo SXs and they are better reels than the Curados I used to own.  In fact, I think the Revos are as good or better than any Shimano at twice the price.