reel recomondation

[James Whalen]

I recently purchased a st Croix premier 6.6 2 piece medium heavy spinning rod. I am just asking for some opinions for a 3000 size spinning reel. One tackle shop recommends on their web site the shimano saros but they are discontinued. I am thinking about the Penn clash or Quantum speed reel 30 size. thanks for the responses

[Hower08]

For $99 I really really like my diawa fuego lt in 3000 size 

[Fishes in trees]

Didn't the Nasci replace the Saros?   Not sure but I think so.  Anyway, my point is I wouldn't buy a reel on line, look at it in person to make sure that it has all the features you want.   Case in point - I'm a Shimano guy and I got a Nasci reel a few years ago, didn't look at it very closely and when I got home I found out that it didn't have a manual anti-reverse switch.   Shimano says their drags are so good now that switch isn't necessary.  I don't care - I like a manual anti reverse switch, for tightening up the line with the bait hooked on the rod if for no other reason.

 

I didn't get rid of the Nasci, but I don't use it very much.   I think that the Pflueger President is a good reel for the money and it has an anti reverse switch and comes in different sizes.

 

[Crankin4Bass]

You might also want to bring your rod into a shop to test the reel with it to see if everything feels comfortable and balances to your liking.

[Cranks4fun]

Crankin4Bass makes a good point. You need to test the reel with the rod for balance. If the tackle shop allows this, the best way to get a balanced combo, in my opinion, is to put the reel on your rod and go through the casting motions. Some say to put the reel on the rod and try to balance it by resting the rod (with reel on it) on one finger just in front of the reel seat or reel foot. I like the first way better myself.  
  Some reels are heavier than others of the same size. My 3000 Saros is heavier than my 3000 Daiwa Fuego. I have a Quantum energy Pt that is a 2500 size and it is heavier than both the Shimano and the Daiwa even though it is classed as smaller. 
  You can fish with an imbalanced rod/ reel combo and do so successfully, but it often leads to arm fatigue (and sometimes pain at the end of the day) and it makes for less efficient and accurate casting. 
  Congrats on the new rod and good luck in your reel hunt!

[Michigander]

If you aren't fishing near salt, the Nasci doesn't do much for you over the Sahara (which is a great reel, btw). You might like the new Shimano Spheros Inshore SW. Its basically a Stradic.

[TBAG]

Sahara