Just trying to find a spinning reel to match the 7' Spinning Carrot Stix rod I have.

I've looked at the Daiwa Sol as the best match, but I'm not wanting to spend $200 for a reel right now.

So, I found the new Shimano Sonora as the next best choice to match w/ the Carrot Stix.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0060371123666a&navCount=7&podId=0060371&parentId=cat20333&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=MainCatcat20166-cat20333&catalogCode=XJ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20333&hasJS=true

It's much cheaper in price & it's a graphite bodied spinning reel.  I think it should do well for freshwater fishing, mostly bass & panfish.  I'm thinking of getting the 2500 sized Sonora.

Any pros or cons about the Sonora???

Also I've been looking at Dick's Sporting Goods version of the Daiwa Capricorn in 2500.  That's $10 more & it comes w/ a spare spool.  But I don't know how good this reel is....or how good the new Sonora is.

http://www.nextag.com/549199699p/prices-html?nxtg=303b0a240516-556095F5E1ADB8B5

thats my opinion of that problem.

and you can get them cheaper than 55bucks if you look around.

Color wise it'll match up with your rod. That's what your worried about right ? It will do for panfish.

I don't see why the Sonora wouldn't work, but if I had a nice rod, I wouldn't want to settle on a reel just to have the colors match.

Also I've been looking at Dick's Sporting Goods version of the Daiwa Capricorn in 2500. That's $10 more & it comes w/ a spare spool. But I don't know how good this reel is....or how good the new Sonora is.

For that $10 more you are not only getting a spare spool you are getting a reel made out of aluminum instead of graphite.

If you are not going with the Sol, which would be my choice, then get the Capricorn. I agree with Dan though a nice rod deserves a nice reel, if you are worried about colors matching get a black reel, there are black parts on the Carrot Stix.