Ok, so I got the ok from the wife to go and buy a new St Croix Legend Elite. Just a classy looking stick that feels good in the hand. Anyway, I am looking for recommendation on a reel. I am going with the 6'6" medium as generally an all around grub/tube rod for river smallies. I would like something in the 1500/2000 size (so Shimano is out, why they discontinued those sizes, I will never know, the 1000 is too small, the 2500 is too big) that doesnt make my new rod look like a Christmas tree. Open on price, I just cant rationalize putting a $40 reel on a $300 stick. Any suggestions? All the reels out there are either bright, gaudy colors or weigh 400 lbs. Thanks!

Pflueger Supreme.......Best combination of sizes, light weight, features, and price of anything out there.....

The 2500 is the same size as a 2000 but with a deeper spool.

Pflueger Supreme.......Best combination of sizes, light weight, features, and price of anything out there.....

x2

The 2500 is the same size as a 2000 but with a deeper spool.

I think the 2500 is the perfect size for that rod.

I just bought a Daiwa Fuego 2000 (last years model) for $180 at BaitnHook to put on my new (last years model) Legend Elite. An outdated combo, but I have high hopes  ;D

http://www.baitnhook.net/daiwafuego2000saltwaterspinningreel.aspx

x3 on the Supreme

Have had 2 of them for 2yrs and love them.

Cardinal 802  or the new version STX I have a 802 on the St Croix Avid 6 foot 6 rod and it has a great feel and the perfect balance point.

The 2500 is the same size as a 2000 but with a deeper spool.

Hmm...

Nothing to talk about...Stradic 2500, ICAST "Best In Class".

8-)

I own

supreme 8030, 8035

cardinal 802

stradic fi 2500

stradic fi 4000

It boils down to how much you want to spend

supreme a good value and works well 8030 med lt rod

cardinal 802 moved to med rod, handles anything freshwater

I moved 8035 to light saltwater, it manhandles 10# snook

switched the abu and supreme only for line capacity

stradic's has been sitting collecting dust, but they are fine reels

when I grab a rod my eyes just seem to go the supremes lately

Pflueger and Abu are serviced by Pure Fishing, best customer service I have found, that's why they get the nod from me.

2000 daiwa tierra

2500 shimano stradic

Well, just my 0.02 worth: take a look at:

Daiwa Tierra/Advantage - both available in a 1500 size. As I've been recently informed, the Advantage is a very well built reel. Just played with one for the first time, quite nice.

Abu 701/702LX - Both of these are right around the size of my Symetre 1500, all metal, very well built.