What spinning reel for my new bass x rod

[Cak920]

I bought a new St. Croix bass x rod and I'm trying to find a reel for it. I plan on using it as an all purpose bass fishing rod (top water, soft plastics, crank baits). I used to use shimano reels but I haven't like the feel of some of the newer ones so I've tried other brands on my newer rods like pflueger and Daiwa. I don't care for the feel of the pfleuger and it often wraps the line around the guide on the spool. I like my daiwa Laguna which is also cheaper. Looking for suggestions on what you guys use and like. I like it when I can find a brand I like and stick with it but I haven't found that for reels yet 

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

 

I fish Shimano Stradics from the FI to CI4+ and in between.

They are hands-down my favorite reels in feel and use. I have

spent time hands-on with Pflueger Presidents, and several other

brands and simply prefer the feel of Shimano better. Great brand

and great reel, the President, just wasn't my choice.

 

I have also have a Diawa Lexa 2000SH (gave to one of my sons)

and really like it, too. I think Daiwa makes fantastic reels.

 

You'll find opinions all over the place. 

 

Since you want an "everything" reel, you probably want at least a

2500 or 3000 size (same as 2500 but deeper spool). My preference

is for 1000 size for everything. But that's me.

 

Best advice is take your rod to a local Bass Pro/Cabelas/etc., and 

put several different reels on it. Which feels best in your hands?

Do you like a tip light feel or a tip heavy feel? Do you like beefier

reels or small profile?

[Michaelangelo]

A reel that's often overlooked I have a couple of and work pretty hard are Shimano Ultegra.  They're a lot cheaper than a Stradic Ci4 but still a very good reel.  I'm a Shimano guy, and basically have all Shimano, but my biggest complaint to this day is their bail system is crap compared to Daiwa and Pflueger.  

 

I have an Ultegra 3000 and Stradic Ci4 3000, both JDM special order from eBay, both 5.0:1 which makes them much better for all around use.  I throw everything from 1/8oz spinners to 3/4oz spinnerbaits.