First, I'm not really a fan of a spinning rod & reel but they seem easier to use especially for weightless or really light baits.
Most of my shopping/outfitting is done at Cabelas...

This is what I 'think' would be a decent rig:
Abu Garcia Verritas Spinning Rod
Abu Garcia Verritas Spinning Rod
VRS70-5 7' F 3/16 to 5/8 M 6-12
Coupled with the Pflueger Summit Spinning Reel
SMT30X 145/6 5.2:1 7+1 8.9 7 25.2
Pflueger

They are both on 'sale' thus my thinking.

So, first do you even use a spinning rod/reel?
Second, bearing in mind my proposed budget of preferably around $150 for both, is there a rod/reel combination that you would use/recommend or buy yourself?

From my 'limited use', they seem awkward for me at least and much more difficult than a baitcasting rig.
Opinions please...
God Bless

Whatever your reel budget is, i would pick the shimano model that fits the $$ you want to spend in the 2500 size, and then pick out a rod that you like/can afford/fits the reel.

Look at a TFO Signature series. $99 for one hell of a rod.

If you do any amount of fishing you're not going to be happy with that reel for long. Take a look at some of the Lew's spinning reels. I just got three of the top end ones today from TW. I'd put them against the Shimano that costs $100 more.

I throw my shakey heads and drop shot on a spinning rod and that's it! Every once in a while I'll throw a really small tx rig 1/8 pegged wieight and 2/0 hook. For me I think the rod is more important than the reel. Throwing light stuff you want it sensitive. I would find a used spinning rod in the trading post and then get a reel after. I got my dsr822s off of here with a reel for $150.00. You can't even compare that to a veritas or any new lower prices rod for that matter. If I were buying new and keeping it cheap I would buy a 13 omen with lews reel. I used my buddy's falcon spinning rod the other day and liked it a lot so that's another one I would check out. My problem with the veritas is the actions are off. A med is more like a med hev so a med light is more like a med action imo. If you're not using it a lot then who cares. Grab what to can afford that's comfortable and use it.

Oh and make sure you spool that spinning reel right so you don't have to post a topic "line won't stay on spinning reel,help!!" Haha

My next spinning rod will be a 7' med. Quantum Smoke, it is 119.00. The real will be a Shimano Stradic Ci4 2500, it is 220.00. I know that is out of your preferred price range by about double but you could easily swap out for a much cheaper reel. If I did I would look hard at the Lew's reels.

Brian

I grew up on spinning reels and am the exact opposite, though over the years I've gotten baitcasting about equal. There are some things you can do with a baitcaster that just don't work right with spinning. That said....it's far less important to get a high dollar spinning reel than it is a baitcaster. If I were you I'd look for a rod in the 100+ range and put a $30 shimano sierra on it until you like it better. If you find yourself using it a bunch you can always upgrade the reel later. Lemme know if you want to borrow a rod/reel....I've got a big stable of spinning gear if you'd like to try some out.

Nothing against the combo you listed, I just haven't used that equipment. Since you're shopping, one more option: Go to the Cabelas in Ft. Worth and look at a Shimano Compre 6'8" worm/jig spinning rod. IM-9 graphite, very sensitive, very light, great feel - $100. I've had one about a year and love it. And you can't go wrong with a Shimano Sahara ($80) or Shimano Sedona ($60). These weigh less than 11 ounces and have a long track record of being good reels. I use spinning reels a lot for finesse baits, and I've had one of each for several years.

Kistler custom z-bone 7ft M and a shimano stratic

I like the veritas, but as the guy mentioned above go one action down. Second the shimano reel though, at least a sahara.

I have the medium action 7' tec spec(Dicks ) brand. And a Medium Heavy 7' Carbon light. I love the tec spec, and don't care for the carbon light. The MH rod I too stiff for very light applications and I would gladly trade it for an action down. It is a better rod, just not the right rod. You need to shop for he right rod for you.

for the money you just can't beat the Pflueger president series ($49-$69) depending on the size, or the XT supreme, got mine at FishUSA for $119... very smooth drag system on these reels which is important with light lines. if you go with one of the president reels it will leave some $$ for a quality rod.

I do all of my soft plastic stuff on spinning..and I mean by that.. shakey head, drop shot and texas rigging. I haven't pitched or flipped with either yet.. just not a way I have fished. I would suggest a Shimano Symetre reel in the 2500 series.. you can get them on Ebay for about $50.. they are $80 retail. Rod.. that's tough since you don't have a "purpose" for the rig. I use a Skeet Reese drop shot rod. 6'10", soft tip, lots of backbone, 7'MH St Croix Premier for shakey head and texas rig worms and I also have a 6'6" Venture Fenwick I use for Senkos. I saw a demo by Woo Daves on fishing with Spinning for soft plastics.. really changed my thinking on it. All of those rods were less than $100, the Fenwick Venture was only $40 at Walmart. But I have caugth a good number of fish with it..

BD

St.Croix triumph 7' medium fast. 89.99 at Gander mountain. Made in the USA. Works great with Weightless senkos, shaky heads, flukes, etc. I had an omen by 13 fishing but nothing compares to the sensitivity of the st. Croix rods. Just feel how one compares to a skeet Reese brand or veritas and you will know what I mean. Any main brand spinning reel over 50 bucks will be decent. Just get one that fits you the best. Carbon handles are nice tho.

Try the Wave Spin you get no line twist at all best 150 buck spent on 3 spinning reels