Is it best to buy a shimano reel and pair it with a shimano rod or could i put the shimano reel on a daiwa rod?

It's all personal preference although some people find it sacrilegious kinda like swapping an LS1 into a Nissan 240sx. 

You can put any brand reel or any brand rod without issue. I recently had a citica 200e on a vendetta rod and it was a very good combination. (I just ordered a Bucoo 7ft MH for that reel though....)

Use what feels best to you.  It doesn't matter what brand reel on what brand rod etc... as long as it is comfortable to you, is the only important thing.

Later,

You can put any brand reel or any brand rod without issue. I recently had a citica 200e on a vendetta rod and it was a very good combination. (I just ordered a Bucoo 7ft MH for that reel though....)

after you get that rod and match it with that reel you will wish you had that 80 bucks back from that vendetta to go towards another Bucoo... just for warning

to original: match what ever you want... it's your money but some rods will balance better with in house reels .... they design them that way

I have a Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris reel on a Cabelas XML rod and I haven't been struck by lightening yet.  If it is comfortable to you then mix away.

It's all personal preference although some people find it sacrilegious kinda like swapping an LS1 into a Nissan 240sx.

nice!!!

THE RULES state:

"Only Shimano reels can be mounted on

G. Loomis and St. Croix rods. Other brands

of rods and reels can be mixed and matched."

;D ;D ;D ;D

THE RULES state:

"Only Shimano reels can be mounted on

G. Loomis and St. Croix rods. Other brands

of rods and reels can be mixed and matched."

;D ;D ;D ;D

Crap!  All of my SC have Daiwas.  My one Shimano rod has a Shimano reel on it, though!

THE RULES state:

"Only Shimano reels can be mounted on

G. Loomis and St. Croix rods. Other brands

of rods and reels can be mixed and matched."

;D ;D ;D ;D

Man, I 'm scrwd. 

could i put the shimano reel on a daiwa rod?

No, Shimano reels will not go on Daiwa rods (and vice versa)...it's sort of like trying to put the same poles of two magnets together; it just doesn't work.

THE RULES state:

"Only Shimano reels can be mounted on

G. Loomis and St. Croix rods. Other brands

of rods and reels can be mixed and matched."

;D ;D ;D ;D

Now Roadwarrior I think you confused the rule. It actually states Only an American made reel can be put on an American made rod. Meaning only Ardent Reels can be placed on St. Croix and Loomis rods. Put those stinkin Shimanos on a Japanese rod  ;)

THE RULES state:

"Only Shimano reels can be mounted on

G. Loomis and St. Croix rods. Other brands

of rods and reels can be mixed and matched."

;D ;D ;D ;D

Sorry RW I just got a St. Croix and put a Pflueger Asaro on it 

Is this a trick question ?

My two daiwa rods have daiwa reels, the rest is fair game.

LOL Kent, Shimano and Abu Garcia Reels on Loomis Rods, is what I have,

THE RULES state:

"Only Shimano reels can be mounted on

G. Loomis and St. Croix rods. Other brands

of rods and reels can be mixed and matched."

;D ;D ;D ;D

Yikes - I've broken that rule for sure. My Loomis GLX MBR842C is wearing ................................................... a BPS Carbonlite reel!

THE RULES state:

"Only Shimano reels can be mounted on

G. Loomis and St. Croix rods. Other brands

of rods and reels can be mixed and matched."

;D ;D ;D ;D

Yikes - I've broken that rule for sure. My Loomis GLX MBR842C is wearing ................................................... a BPS Carbonlite reel!

Goose you are a heretic!  A BPS reel on a GLoomis rod would get you burned at the stake in some jurisdictions.

BTW if I ever own a GLoomis rod, it will have a PQ on it. 8-)

Goose you are a heretic! A BPS reel on a GLoomis rod would get you burned at the stake in some jurisdictions.

BTW if I ever own a GLoomis rod, it will have a PQ on it. 8-)

I did have a PQ on the Loomis rod while I was waiting for the Carbonlite to finally go on sale ...

Shimano reels always go on Shimano rods...