Just bought a St. Croix Premier 6'6" Medium Fast spinning rod.  Put my 3-yr old Quantum Kinetic PTi30 on it, but it just feels a bit too big and heavy for the rod.  Any advice for a good spinning reel for under $80 that would be a good fit?

http://www.***.com/Pflueger_President_Spinning_Reel_10_Bearing/descpage-PPSR.html

Lews Tournament LFS Speed Spin, TSS2000 reel.  $79.99, it is an amazingly smooth and very light reel.

SJ

Pflueger Presidents make nice reels with 9 bearings

Shimano Symetre or Sahara. 

Okuma Trio..

Last year's model Daiwa Exceler. The current model Shimano Sahara is also a good choice.

Daiwa Exceler. They are IMHO the best sub $100 spinning reel you can buy, and Daiwa still gives you a spare spool, Shimano does not. I own a few and they have seen a ton of use and abuse. With little done to them but basic maint. and they are still running like new.

President

Pflueger President.

Check out the Daiwa Exceler as others have recommended

i have an exceler and a Sahara their both very nice reels for the money.

You can find the new model Symetre 2500 online for 79 NIB. Super smooth and solid reel. They don't come with a spare spool anymore but that just gives me an excuse to buy another rod and reel!

I was looking online at the new Cabelas Prodigy which I believe is an Exceler TSH with some upgrades. Wish I had a store nearby so I could do a stare and compare, but it is $99 which may be out of your price range.

I've had a chance to use my pflueger president xt now and for the $ it is a excellent reel. Got mine brand new w/ box and extra spool on ebay for $63/free shipping. If it continues to impress me as much as it does now, I might sell my saros and get another.

I've had a chance to use my pflueger president xt now and for the $ it is a excellent reel. Got mine brand new w/ box and extra spool on ebay for $63/free shipping. If it continues to impress me as much as it does now, I might sell my saros and get another.

X2

I'd also recommend taking a look at the Pflueger Arbor in either the 7430 or 7435 size.

The 30 has a spool diameter comparable to a 2500-series Shimano and the body roughly the size of a 1000 Daiwa. Very compact and lightweight...but I think it would be a bit too light to balance your Premier so I'd suggest the 35.

i am a pflueger guy, as all my reels other than a bps pq baitcaster are pfluegers, but i just picked up a daiwa exceler (last years model?) at gander mountain for $40 bucks... hard to beat it at that price. otherwise look at a president or, if you cant get past the dumb wooden knob, a president xt.

X2

I'd also recommend taking a look at the Pflueger Arbor in either the 7430 or 7435 size.

The 30 has a spool diameter comparable to a 2500-series Shimano and the body roughly the size of a 1000 Daiwa. Very compact and lightweight...but I think it would be a bit too light to balance your Premier so I'd suggest the 35.

I assume the spool on the 35 is a bit larger? If so, any concerns over the size or spacing of the guide closest to the reel?

i am a pflueger guy, as all my reels other than a bps pq baitcaster are pfluegers, but i just picked up a daiwa exceler (last years model?) at gander mountain for $40 bucks... hard to beat it at that price. otherwise look at a president or, if you cant get past the dumb wooden knob, a president xt.

Thanks. Any idea if the 6730 is big enough for the 6'6" Premier - or would the 35 be a better fit/balance?

Daiwa Exceler. They are IMHO the best sub $100 spinning reel you can buy, and Daiwa still gives you a spare spool, Shimano does not. I own a few and they have seen a ton of use and abuse. With little done to them but basic maint. and they are still running like new.

Thanks. Any idea if the 2500 at 9.9 oz. is too heavy for the 6'6" Premier, or would the 2000 be a better fit ?

there is only about an ounce difference between the 6730 president/president xt and the exceler 2500. not really enough to worry about.

as far as if they would balance well on a 6'6" medium premier. i think they would be pretty well balanced, the 6735 being 11.4 ounces is a little too heavy for that rod. i would hit up a store that sells both, and maybe an arbor 7430. if you can mount them on your rod (or one off the shelf) and see which one feels the best to you. all 3 of those are quality reels that should last a long time (especially if cared for!) and will balance your rod quite well.

Another vote for Flooger President.

Shimano Symetre or Sahara. 

"DITTO"

BTW: I like your rod choice

Roger

One feature on a spinning reel that's important to me is the size and comfort of the handle, for me it's Pflueger supreme. I do not like a dinky little handle on many 2000 series reels.

Someone mentioned Cabelas Prodigy-they are wonderful reels. They are obviously made by Daiwa, at least mine are because it says so on the reel. Sometimes on sale in your price target. Otherwise, it is wise to stick with name brands if you plan to have them professionally serviced. Some of the best servicers won't service brands other than Shimano, Daiwa, Quantum, and a few other name brands. You can do the required cleaning and lubing yourself, although I wouldn't recommend taking them totally apart. They are getting pretty complicated and you might end up with a part or two left over.

Shimano has a reel or two in your price range, as does Daiwa. I have an older Quantum, and am a little gunshy about them because that reel as it aged got pretty rough compared to Shimanos and Daiwas. They may be a lot better now.

I have to admit I have more confidence in Shimano and Daiwa than any others, and will wait get what I need from them rather than buy other brands.