Best spinning reel around $200 dollars or less

[BassSam5]

Just purchased a Daiwa tatula elite 7’3 medium spinning rod for my all around finesse bass rod. I’m looking for a reel around $200 dollars to pair with it. I’m looking at the shimano vanford and was wondering if there was a better reel for the price. 

[jimmyjoe]

   If it were me, I would take the metal Stradic 2500FL. I have one of those and two Stradic Ci4+ reels in 2500 size. I used the metal reel for braid. I used the plastic reels for braid at first, but then changed over to nylon.

   I think the biggest factor in your choice will be which line you wish to use.

 

   Good luck!          jj

[Columbia Craw]

Take a look at the Diawa Ballistic LT.  I went with the 3000 because the body is the same as the 2500 and the larger spool has advantages.

[LCG]

I will second the stradic FL. Solid and smooth. I am sure the Vanford is equally good with you want light weight, but you also need a light rod to have the combo balance, if that's important to you. For my off the rack rod, the stradic balances well. 

[SK1]

I have both the Stradic FL and Vanford. Happy with both, hard to go wrong with either.

 

[mrpao]

Daiwa tatula LT, Ballistic LT, Procyon AL

Shimano Stradic FL, Vanford, Ultegra 

Any of these will work for you.

Not sure how well the lighter reels will balance out on the 7'3" rod but shouldn't be too bad.

[king fisher]

I'm sure that combo will catch fish, but I think combining a Diawa rod with a Shimano reel might be illegal in most states and a few foreign countries.  I would check on the laws in your state and don't be surprised if the bass police show up at your door after posting a crazy idea like that on the internet.

[Revival]

Daiwa Kage LT

[Msl819]

14 hours ago, SK1 said:

I have both the Stradic FL and Vanford. Happy with both, hard to go wrong with either.

 

I would second this.  If I had to chose one it would probably be the Stradic FL. That said, I also tend to prefer to match brands of rods to reels when applicable.   That’s all a matter or preference.  
 

Several online reviewers have called the new Stradic FL the best spinning reel up to the $300-400 range.  All subjective, but a nice reel for sure.

[roadwarrior]

I recently purchased the Stradic FL1000HG for $184.

[Msl819]

I think the drag stack comes with carbon washers in the 3000 (maybe 2500) and up in the Stradic FL,  if that matters to you.

 

I think I got mine for around $180 also, somewhere online.

[E-H]

I researched for a while and just pulled the trigger on Vanford 3000.  They are hard to come by now and sold out most places.

 

The 3000 does come with a carbon washer and is the same weight as the 2500 (felt washer) but just has a bigger spool.  I sided on a little bigger since the thing only weighs 6.3 oz.  That's insane for a 3000.

 

Lots of other great options for that price, but I decided the Vanford at that weight and size was the best for me.

[Randy Price]

I agree with other posters either the Stradic or Vanford.  Had the Ballistic for one weekend and returned it.  Just my experience and I'm not bashing Daiwa as I line the Revros and Fuego.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

12 hours ago, Revival said:

Daiwa Kage LT

Isnt that essentially a Tatula?

5 hours ago, Msl819 said:

I think the drag stack comes with carbon washers in the 3000 (maybe 2500) and up in the Stradic FL,  if that matters to you.

 

I think I got mine for around $180 also, somewhere online.

The 3k and up have carbontex and 25 and under are felt

[928JLH]

Stradic are really nice and I'm a Daiwa guy. Wanna say I scored my Ballistic LT for around $170 which are a solid choice too. 

 

[Revival]

5 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

Isnt that essentially a Tatula?

I had both reels and the Kage is way smoother.  I paid $180 for the Kage and $150 for the Tatula LT.  Is the Kage worth $30 more than the Tatula?  In my opinion, absolutely.  

[GetFishorDieTryin]

According to all the infro ive been able to get so far about the Kage line is that its just Daiwa throwing dealers a bone because online sales have taken lots of business away.  Your not supposed to be able to buy a Kage online, and only certified Daiwa dealers get them.  Daiwa gives the proshops a good deal on them so they can make a $. Ive read and seen a few videos that say the Kage rods are Tatulas, which I can believe Daiwa is infamous for rebranding.  For the reels I saw a video where the guy claimed that the reels were Tatulas as well.  He's pretty accurate with his info, but the video came out before the Kage MQ debuted.  I would think it was just a Luvias minus some parts here and there because financially it wouldn't make sense to design a new reel that would only be available to small fraction of the market.  Do you know why the Kage feels smoother?   

2 hours ago, 928JLH said:

Stradic are really nice and I'm a Daiwa guy. Wanna say I scored my Ballistic LT for around $170 which are a solid choice too. 

 

Where did you get a Ballistic for 170$

[928JLH]

2 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

  

Where did you get a Ballistic for 170$

Ebay 

[Revival]

4 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

Do you know why the Kage feels smoother?   

No idea.  I can tell you that prior to buying both reels, I was researching myself and I asked one of the authorized Daiwa dealers the difference and he said, it was basically the same reel besides the aesthetics, wooden knob, extra bearing and he himself also said the Kage feels smoother over all and especially under load.

 

I bought both reels to see for myself and I would agree.  I sold the Tatula LT and I kept the Kage.  I also have 3 Stradic Ci4+ reels so the Kage is not my first $200ish reel.

[ATA]

Shimano Vanford

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano_Vanford_Spinning_Reels/descpage-SVSR.html

[LxVE Bassin]

Ballistic LT, I got 2 of them 

[JustJames]

All the reel mentioned here is good or super good but if you are looking for 200 and light weight category with best bang for bucks nothing beat Daiwa Tatula LT.
If Tatula LT come with lower gear ratio, I don’t think I would own either Vanford or even Ballistic FW. You can find Tatula right around 160 while Vanford 220.
But just like @Revivali sold my Tatula LT to a good friend (he really want it) but kept the Kage LT ?. All the reels, I like ballistic FW the most and might get another one if my wife allow.