im putting togeather a light tackle combo for the small bay near my house.a penn surf pro guide 7ft 5in and rated to 1 1/2oz. i am torn between two reels eather the 4500ssg or the 5500ssg to hang on this rod,which one would balence out better?

5500 I'd say for balance on the handle. I use a 6'6 with 4500 and it's just right.

4500 for sure

I'd go with the 4500 too. I have an older 4500 on an 8' st croix (to 1 oz) and one of the new ssgs on an 8' loomis (to 1.5 oz)and both are good set ups. If using braid or fireline you wont need the bigger spool for capacity, so keep it light. If you can, bring your rod to the shop and try the reels out to see which feels better.

St. Croix 86M, Penn 4500ss, 20# Fireline. Enough said.

I was going to say 5500 because you could use it on a number of set ups.
But if you were only going to use it on one rod then go with the 4500

If you can, bring your rod to the shop and try the reels out to see which feels better.

Best way to do it cuz then you can see where the actual balance point is on the rod. I don't know if alot of guys pay attention to this but I feel you get less tired and have better accuracy when the rod has it's natural pivot point at the reel or slightly ahead of it. I boat fish though and that's where I feel it makes a difference with the smaller rod and 12lb fluoro. All my flyrods are matched so they balance directly at the head of the cork where you hold it and it can make a 14 wt feel like a 10 if it's done right.