Spinning Reel Suggestions

[Canga]

so i took my rod sleeve off from my 6'8" mxf st croix legend elite recently to find the tip broken, so i warranty/upgraded it to a 6'9" MLXF legend xtreme. main use for the rod is vertical jigging and pitching jigs for walleyes (1/8-3/8th max) with either a grub, ringworm or live minnow, though i do some dropshotting for smallies as well.

the old rod had a gold pflueger supreme xt 9030 on it, however it flew out of my boat going down the road and i think something internally got messed up. when it has no pressure on it it spins freely and seems ok, but even a little pressure makes it seem much rougher and i dont feel comfortable using it, and since i dont have much invested in the reel, i am going to get something else for the new rod.

what im looking for is a very light reel, good drag, smooth, etc. i already have a pflueger patriarch and love the reel, but im wondering if there is something in that price range (about 200 or less) that is similar or better, but a little different.

so far what im looking at is:

Shimano Stradic CI4 (not sure if ill go 1000 or 2500)

the new supreme XT (i like my 9035 and liked the 9030 till it flew out of the boat)

the new supreme MG (seems like a great deal at $99, heard great things about the current version)

another patriarch (like i said, i have one and love it)

Abu Garcia Revo Premier (havent heard much about this reel, any input? seems like a solid reel with nice specs)

Daiwa Ballistic (not out yet to my knowledge, but seems like it would fit the bill)

and cabela's has their 50th anniversary Daiwa Fuego on sale for $188 or something like that.

i have a $40 daiwa exceler on one of my back up rods and it is a very smooth and well built reel, and i woudl love to see some of their higher priced stuff based on my experience with that reel. im not sure if cabelas has the fuego in store any more, and if they do, that the price is the same as online. the other problem with it is that they only have the 2500, which seems around the smae size as the 35 size pfluegers, which is a little big for my taste. if they have a 2000 or 1500 size available i may have to pick one up. otherwise, im looking for input on experience with the reels listed or any others out there in the $200 price range and light weight?

[RushFan2112]

"i woudl love to see some of their higher priced stuff based on my experience with that reel."

This is exactly where I was going before getting to this line of your post. Easy answer - get a Daiwa Bradia. You can sometimes find them on the big auction site brand new for around $170 shipped. Best spinning reel by far that I've ever used, especially for the money. Ultra-smooth gears and a killer drag also. Mine are both three seasons old now and perform as brand new. I can't say enough about this reel. I have one paired with a Compre 6'6 MH and the other with a 7' M Carbonlite. Those are my two "go to" setups and the only two I grab when going fishing. Love em!

[Packard]

Stradic CI4 or the new Stradic FJ, love my stradics!

[shootermcbob]

Cabelas had the stradic FJ 2500 series on sale in store for 119.00. You could get two for a bit more than your stated budget. They are REALLY nice.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I'm partial to Pflueger spinning reels for there bang for the buck. However, I recently acquired a Stradic Ci4 2500 that will go on a custom 6' 10" ML/XF with almost identical specs as the St Croix. The combo balances perfectly and is super light.

[boystcroix]

I have a Stradic FI 2500 on a 68MXF Legend Extreme and love the feel of it . I also have a Stradic FI 2500 on a 70MLF Legend Extreme, the Shimano balances both rods very nicely and is a very smooth, reliable reel. The Cl4 would be sweeter yet! I tried a 1000 series at first on the 7 footer , but the reel seemed small for the setup.

[Bluebasser86]

I've got the Supreme XT and love it. Good looking reel, light weight, and super smooth. You already have one you like, why not another?