So many people use baitcasters, but Spinning Reels are awesome for finesse stuff. What is your favorite Spinning Reel? I have 2 of the older Daiwa Excellors and they have been awesome for me, so that has gotta be my choice.
Daiwa advantage 2000. Rock solid performers and i pick them up around a hundred bucks.
Shimano Vanquish C3000
I just got the lews team gold carbon spinning reel. Granted, its my first really good spinning reel, but from the reels I've played around in stores, its just as smooth, or more so than many of the more expensive spinning reels I've messed with. I love it and will buy many more.
My favorite is a Quantum Cabo 40, magnetic bail trip, corrosion coated body. Holds about 270 yards of 20# braid at slightly more than 13 oz IMO it's a light weight 5-6000 reel. Not the smoothest reel I own but it's right up there, drag is exceptional with 30# max. It has handled fish (tarpon) that I believe to be in the area of 70# off a sea wall, more than once.
So far I'm loving my pflueger president!
On 1/3/2015 at 8:20 PM, Catch and Grease said:So far I'm loving my pflueger president!
Ditto on the Pflueger President.
Shimano Complex 2500. Been beating on 4 of them for 4 years now, 200+ days a year, and are just as smooth as the day I got them. Brian.
Stella 2500FB
Yes, Pfleuger President- I have two and use them for spots. No problems after the first season. They're very smooth.
I went to cabelas on new years day and bought a few things. when I was looking at reels my wife comes over starts testing some spinning reels and really liked the quantum alloy. It was smooth,the bail closed easy, there wasn't any slop between the handle and the gears. It felt like a really nice reel and when I went to buy one I took it out of the box and trying to close the bail was like hitting a brick wall. I sure the display was worn in but. I have become very skeptical about spinning reels and unless it's a true "drop-shot" I don't use spinning gear much anymore.
That said I have a quantum accurist that I do use for weightless plastics.
I have an older Sustain 2000 that is my favorite. Runner up is the Stradic Mg that is on my dropshot set-up.
I use to have a Sustain but sold it. It was my favorite. I have two stradics that I like. both are still going strong.
My favorite is an Abu Cardinal c802, freshwater cousin of the 800i series (later the Soron, I believe.) The aluminum alloy body makes it on the heavy side but it's tough as nails and with 9+1 bearings and a sealed carbon drag it's about the best $80 I've ever spent.
Daiwa tierra
My Daiwa Ballistic SH finally gave out, so I guess I would go with the Stradic FJ. I haven't had it long, and it has held up to some nice steelhead.
Shimano Stradic ci4
I thought the President XT was going to be my favorite spinning reel. I think it is my best looking reel, but the retrieve is a bit slower than I like. Guess I would have to go with my 2500 Stradic MgFB.
Within my price range, I'm liking the pfleuger president. Also have a quantum accurist pt that has been wonderful over the last two seasons. Got it because it was 50% off on black Friday and I have been solidly impressed.
Have Pflueger's, Daiwa's, Okuma's, and several Shimano's, but my favorite would have to be the Shimano Stradic Ci4. A couple of my Daiwa's are a close 2nd though...
-T9
stradic 1000
My older Quantum Energy spinning reels were my favorite.
On 1/4/2015 at 4:00 AM, Scott F said:My older Quantum Energy spinning reels were my favorite.
Is that the white one? More of an off white i guess
On 1/3/2015 at 1:35 PM, Angry John said:Daiwa advantage 2000. Rock solid performers and i pick them up around a hundred bucks.
Where are you finding those for 100 bucks?
On 1/4/2015 at 4:24 AM, ataris41 said:Is that the white one? More of an off white i guess
No, it was the one with the multi-color, titanium finish.
On 1/4/2015 at 4:36 AM, Scott F said:No, it was the one with the multi-color, titanium finish.
Im thinking of one that was older. good deal
On 1/4/2015 at 4:26 AM, adam32 said:Where are you finding those for 100 bucks?
Bought a new one on sale for less about 3 years ago. Doesn't get used nearly as much as it should since I spooled it with 30# braid (at suggestions made here) because it is used on a MH Worm & Jig rod. I much prefer a b/c reel for those weights. Too bad to since that spinning rod is the nicest rod I own. However, I have to agree it is a very nice reel for the money. You should grab one if you can find them at that price.
I am surprised at the # of people who trash good old reels.
The only problems I ever had were Bail Springs & Bail bearings. That was it. I use the smaller spinners with 4# only all day everyday May 1 to Sept 20.
Fished every free minute of my 77 years. Did I get the only good reels ?
Had 1 spool wear out. That is it.
Light fresh water duty. Salt water seperates the tough from the new & pretty in a hurry.
On 1/4/2015 at 5:15 AM, new2BC4bass said:Bought a new one on sale for less about 3 years ago. Doesn't get used nearly as much as it should since I spooled it with 30# braid (at suggestions made here) because it is used on a MH Worm & Jig rod. I much prefer a b/c reel for those weights. Too bad to since that spinning rod is the nicest rod I own. However, I have to agree it is a very nice reel for the money. You should grab one if you can find them at that price.
If i could find them for 100 bucks I would grab as many as possible!
I'd have to say my stradic fj but a daiwa ss is on the list to try.
On 1/4/2015 at 5:28 AM, EvanT123 said:I'd have to say my stradic fj but a daiwa ss is on the list to try.
Hope the SS won't be a disappointment for you as they do not have infinite anti-reverse. Should last you a lifetime, tho.
I never bought any high-end spinning reels. Of the reels I have owned, my all-time favorites have been a 1990's Shimano rear-drag AeroSymetre and a Daiwa Whisker Tournament SS. I'm enjoying the new Shimano Sedona I bought this spring, but don't have nearly enough fishing time on it to form any kind of meaningful opinion.
I've had some incredible service life from Mitchell 300, 308, and 310 reels I've had for a LONG time, but I never really liked them all that much....
Tight lines,
Bob
Stradic FJ. Both 2500 and 3000.
On 1/4/2015 at 4:26 AM, adam32 said:Where are you finding those for 100 bucks?
I got one from TW when they were closing them out, and i picked up a second from sportsmans warehouse. I had to talk with the fishing rep at the store for the second as it was the demo and there were none left. My first one is beat from falling on rocks and stuff in the river and still kicks tail. Working on a 2500 sol right now, hopefuly pick that up for the same price.
On 1/4/2015 at 10:32 AM, Angry John said:I got one from TW when they were closing them out, and i picked up a second from sportsmans warehouse. I had to talk with the fishing rep at the store for the second as it was the demo and there were none left. My first one is beat from falling on rocks and stuff in the river and still kicks tail. Working on a 2500 sol right now, hopefuly pick that up for the same price.
I just retired my old black and gold daiwa advantage, one of the best reels I've owned. The sol and fuego were great reels to.
my favorite is probably my new shimano sahara 2500 fe.smoothest spinning reel I've used yet.really good drag too.
Abu Garcia Orra S30 is my favorite
Shimano Stradic CI4+
While I am a fan of the pflueger president reel series, I have found that not all of the president series offer the same or similar feel or quality of movement. I have found the 6735 and 6740 to be my favorite of the series, and my 6935 and 6925 are OK, but they are not as fluid as the 6735 or my 6740 which are identical in the body, but have different spools.
I have worked on reels for nearly 35 years, and all of the reels I have, have been worked on and tweaked to get the most out of them, and still there is a noticeable difference in feel and movement between sizes and newer and older reels.
Recently I purchased a Tokushima HK-3000 and have been blown away by this reel. It has more ball bearings than the president reels, and its movement is actually more free and fluid than my president reels. And it has a unique oscillation gear that moves the spool in and out very slowly and Tokushima calls it parallel line lay. The spool is made for superlines and does not need backing line. You can spool slick superlines direct to the spool. It is one awesome spinning reel for the money. Beats the president any day of the week. In fact, I have been putting my president reels and shimano stradic reels in a box and ordering more of these Tokushima reels. Here is an image of my new favorite:
My own Tokushima HK3000
And the HK3000 next to the reel it will soon be replacing- an old Shimano stradic
I've been fishing Shimano Stradics for close to 20 years.
Daiwa Ballistic
On 1/4/2015 at 2:10 PM, FloridaFishinFool said:While I am a fan of the pflueger president reel series, I have found that not all of the president series offer the same or similar feel or quality of movement. I have found the 6735 and 6740 to be my favorite of the series, and my 6935 and 6925 are OK, but they are not as fluid as the 6735 or my 6740 which are identical in the body, but have different spools.
I have worked on reels for nearly 35 years, and all of the reels I have, have been worked on and tweaked to get the most out of them, and still there is a noticeable difference in feel and movement between sizes and newer and older reels.
Recently I purchased a Tokushima HK-3000 and have been blown away by this reel. It has more ball bearings than the president reels, and its movement is actually more free and fluid than my president reels. And it has a unique oscillation gear that moves the spool in and out very slowly and Tokushima calls it parallel line lay. The spool is made for superlines and does not need backing line. You can spool slick superlines direct to the spool. It is one awesome spinning reel for the money. Beats the president any day of the week. In fact, I have been putting my president reels and shimano stradic reels in a box and ordering more of these Tokushima reels. Here is an image of my new favorite:
I would think you might want to fish this a while before going all in. I am VERY leery of a $40 Chinese reel.
On 1/4/2015 at 8:12 PM, roadwarrior said:I would think you might want to fish this a while before going all in. I am VERY leery of a $40 Chinese reel.
I have already been inside the reel, took it apart and lubed it my way including every bearing. It is a nice well built reel. And I am now on season two with it.
All pflueger president reels are made in China too. And most of the parts for Shimano reels are made in china too as well as Singapore and Malaysia.
This reel is well built and is awesome for the price.
I was told a while back Cabelas sold them for $130.00.
My shimano stradic reel now feels like a beast compared to this reel's ease of operation. The Chinese are stepping up their game and this is one of them.
Ball bearing symbol on rotor body is the same as on Pure Fishing models. I bet it shares internal parts with the new model Phulgers that are set to come out soon. Just like tires or cars, all the different makes come out of different back doors of the same mega factory in china.
That's my whole point! So why pay the middle men huge markups when you can get it direct?
What some Americans may not realize is that China is very well aware that they have developed a bad reputation over the years of making cheap junk for companies outside of China.
The Chinese are today trying hard to change that reputation by stepping up the quality of their products and are working hard on developing their own brand names with some nice quality products.
I work on the front end of trade shows and I have seen their efforts first hand over the past several years as the Chinese are now stepping out into global markets with their own branding.
I sort of figured if many of the products I was buying from outside of China companies is making this stuff in China anyways, why not go around them and check out some of the better quality Chinese products and save some money? So far it is working out well for me.
A lot of Americans who want to keep the "Chinese is junk" reputation intact often are not considering that a lot of the products they are already using and like are also made in China like the president reels, most bass pro brand reels are either Chinese or Korean.
I am about to place another order for more Tokushima reels and some others I have found online, and if all them are as good as my HK-3000 then I will be selling all of my president reels and probably even some shimano reels I won't need any more.
Another issue a lot of Americans may not be aware of is that one way the Chinese are taking over in already established markets is to just outright buy out existing companies and move forward from there:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/04/05/chinas-branding-failure-only-6-of-u-s-consumers-can-name-one-chinese-brand/
China’s branding failure: only 6% of U.S. consumers can name one Chinese brand
"There’s a reason Americans recognize Japanese brands better than Chinese ones: Both countries sell tons of stuff here, but China often does it under other, non-Chinese names. Chinese companies looking to sell in the United States have long preferred to acquire preexisting American firms (with their established reputations, resources, infrastructure and market share), rather than risk entering the market themselves."
"In 2012, Chinese buyers acquired or bought stakes in more U.S. companies than in any year since 2007, inking 46 deals worth $10 billion in total, according to the Wall Street Journal. Those deals included the $2.6 billion buy-out of the AMC movie chain in May and the acquisition of bankrupt battery-maker A123 in December. A University of Pennsylvania reportcalled it a record “run at U.S. companies.”
“We should get used to this type of headline,” management professor Mauro Guillen concludes. “More and more Chinese firms, and firms from emerging economies in general, will engage in [mergers and acquisitions] in Europe and the U.S.”
The market move is now a snowball rolling downhill right straight to China. They now have the financial clout to literally take over a number of markets and they are doing so while we put them down over here while still buying their products. At some point jumping on the bandwagon may not be a bad idea rather than fight it.
The sad part of uneducated consumers buying chinese is the fact that they, the chinese are destroying a huge portion of asia's environment while they make their profit. Our business had to leave our country to avoid stricter environmental laws among other reasons. Now we simply manufacture the stuff elsewhere and destroy the earth there. Thousands of miles of Siberian and middle asian rivers and lakes ranging almost to Iraq have become void saltin seas from run off directed there from china.
Innovation is not China's strong suit. I don't think they have actually invented anything since gunpowder in the 9th Century.
For the most part anything that approaches a quality product involves foreign supervision. Chinese labor is cheap, but quality
control in lacking. I suspect the reel in question is a knock-off of someones else's design or some combination stolen from
other companies. Maybe you have "nothing to lose" flushing $40 down the toilet, but the money would fund a fair portion of a
proven product.
Love my stradic fj and ci4+
I had symetre, sedona, and spheros and i like them a lot as well
2nd fav would have to be the cabo...
Of all the spinning reels i owned over the years the stradics are the only ones i still have
Cabela's Fish Eagle II and the Verano are great reels, one for the budget minded and one for the upper mid range budget.
I think it's fair to say, the Chinese Gov. Couldn't care less about the environment as long as foreign company's ( Wall Street ) usher in capital and products to build, don't get me wrong i love Chinese rice, as long as it's made with jasmine..
I will take a Maylasia reel or Bangladesh made reel over China most any day.
Korean made reels are not bad either. I have a couple that work great, last for years and still smooth.
I understand some Lew's and Abu reels are made in the same factory in Korea as Browning reels. (just something I read on the internet, so not confirmed) Even some Bass Pro brand reels are made in Korea.
On 1/5/2015 at 3:23 AM, FloridaFishinFool said:Korean made reels are not bad either. I have a couple that work great, last for years and still smooth.
I understand some Lew's and Abu reels are made in the same factory in Korea as Browning reels. (just something I read on the internet, so not confirmed) Even some Bass Pro brand reels are made in Korea.
Yeah, the Lew's and Abu are made in the same Korean factory. Good stuff. I'm pretty sure BPS and Browning are manufactured in the same place, so I wouldn't venture far to say they all may come from the same factory made to each company's specific order...
Pfleuger president definitely has been a great reel for me. So smooth!
On 1/5/2015 at 3:23 AM, FloridaFishinFool said:Korean made reels are not bad either. I have a couple that work great, last for years and still smooth.
I understand some Lew's and Abu reels are made in the same factory in Korea as Browning reels. (just something I read on the internet, so not confirmed) Even some Bass Pro brand reels are made in Korea.
By the way, Welcome to the biggest shimano cult on the internet. Don't let let it leave a bad taste in your mouth, hope you post often.....
I have been a shimano fanatic since the mid 1980's. But shimano has not been keeping up with the other reel manufacturers. For 15 years or more all I used was shimano and still use them as most of my baitcast reels are shimano and now less than half of my spinning reels are shimano, but this is changing... and shimano has no one to blame but themselves.
When I opened up my old stradic I could not believe shimano would be dumb enough to put one ball bearing on the left side of the main drive gear and a plastic bushing on the other side. What was the point to that? To save them money? If you put a ball bearing on one side of an axle it only makes sense to do the same thing to the other side, but they did not do that. That sort of thing turns me off to shimano. Cheaper pflueger president reels have a ball bearing on each side, so what is shimano's problem? Shimano has lost my loyalty with stuff like that.
Thanks for the welcome!
On 1/5/2015 at 10:04 AM, FloridaFishinFool said:I have been a shimano fanatic since the mid 1980's. But shimano has not been keeping up with the other reel manufacturers. For 15 years or more all I used was shimano and still use them as most of my baitcast reels are shimano and now less than half of my spinning reels are shimano, but this is changing... and shimano has no one to blame but themselves.
When I opened up my old stradic I could not believe shimano would be dumb enough to put one ball bearing on the left side of the main drive gear and a plastic bushing on the other side. What was the point to that? To save them money? If you put a ball bearing on one side of an axle it only makes sense to do the same thing to the other side, but they did not do that. That sort of thing turns me off to shimano. Cheaper pflueger president reels have a ball bearing on each side, so what is shimano's problem? Shimano has lost my loyalty with stuff like that.
Thanks for the welcome!
I agree. The new symetres have a bushing instead of a bearing on one side of the drive gear. The older symetres had bearings on both sides. I'd like to hear the reasoning behind that from shimano.
Also a 39 dollar trion or 59 dollar president has a bearing in the handle knob, but a 179 dollar stradic doesn't. Go figure.
On 1/3/2015 at 8:20 PM, Catch and Grease said:So far I'm loving my pflueger president!
X2 for the President
I primarily use Pflueger for my spinning reel needs, of the many I own, I enjoy the Supreme, it IMO offers a very good value for your money.
I like the Pflueger Trion and President.
I have a Supreme XT that I find to be a fantastic reel. All the meat of the patriarch and a little faster ratio, just without the sexy carbon bits.
Cannot compliment it highly enough even after years of service. It is smooth, dependable and a pleasure to fish with. A little on the expensive side but I still think it's a good deal.
I've always been a big Shimano fan. I own several of the Sahara & Symetre models. However, since last purchasing a Pflueger President, I'm changing my mind. The Shimanos are becoming increasingly expensive. The President can be found for under $50.00, which, to me, is simply amazing. The reel is extremely smooth (you just cannot feel any gear teeth on retrieve) and the drag is excellent. I've only had it for one full season, so I can't speak for it's durability - yet. I do believe I will be picking up a couple of more of these Presidents this season.
My favorite budget spinning reel is the stradic 1000 fj. My favorite highend would be the stella 1000 fe.
Looking forward to getting a vanquish or the new stella in the future...
Favorite of what I own are my Stradic 1000FI reels.
Would love to upgrade to a newer model, but not in
the cards any time soon.
Also really like my Lexa 2000SH, but not my fav.
On 1/5/2015 at 11:34 PM, thehooligan said:My favorite budget spinning reel is the stradic 1000 fj. My favorite highend would be the stella 1000 fe.
Looking forward to getting a vanquish or the new stella in the future...
You might want to consider the newest model: http://www.shimanofish.com.au/products/fishing-reels/spinning/stella-fi.html
On 1/6/2015 at 12:18 AM, roadwarrior said:You might want to consider the newest model: http://www.shimanofish.com.au/products/fishing-reels/spinning/stella-fi.html
Maybe in the future, im having fun with my finesse casting reels at the moment. Havent used a spinning reel in 6 months and dont really miss it...
I am all about high end gear. I understand the benefits and lore of owning a nice piece of fishing equipment. For some reason I just can't come to terms with 800 dollar spinning reels like the Steeze and the Stella. The Certate at 500 is also above my comprehension and appreciation. Someone tell me why these reels command this kind of price.
I sent my 2500FB to Mike at DVT to balance on a custom he built for me.
The reel was perfect, but what the heck, I had him service it while he had
it in his shop. The reel had never been fully broken down and frankly, I don't
think it needed a thing. It's hard to improve a 10/10, but I am still saving my
pennies for a FI.
BTW, I have a newer Model, 2500 FD, but I prefer the FB.
It seems a bit more compact to me.
On 1/6/2015 at 12:27 AM, aavery2 said:I am all about high end gear. I understand the benefits and lore of owning a nice piece of fishing equipment. For some reason I just can't come to terms with 800 dollar spinning reels like the Steeze and the Stella. The Certate at 500 is also above my comprehension and appreciation. Someone tell me why these reels command this kind of price.
It's like holding kity cat in the palm of your hand.
On 1/6/2015 at 12:32 AM, roadwarrior said:It's like holding kity cat in the palm of your hand.
I ain't payin 800 for one of them either. LOL
I have owned 5 models, all NIB and paid around $300 for each from the original owners.
Two were won in tournaments and the guy just wanted quick money. I don't really know
how the others were acquired, but I bought three of my five from BR members in the
Flea Market.
On 1/6/2015 at 12:43 AM, roadwarrior said:I have owned 5 models, all NIB and paid around $300 for each from the original owners.
Two were won in tournaments and the guy just wanted quick money. I don't really know
how the others were acquired, but I bought three of my five from BR members in the
Flea Market.
I'm interested enough that I would be a player at 300, my concern about buying new would be that if you are buying NIB reels for 300, how well do they hold their value?
On 1/6/2015 at 12:27 AM, aavery2 said:I am all about high end gear. I understand the benefits and lore of owning a nice piece of fishing equipment. For some reason I just can't come to terms with 800 dollar spinning reels like the Steeze and the Stella. The Certate at 500 is also above my comprehension and appreciation. Someone tell me why these reels command this kind of price.
I have 4 different certates that I have purchased new. They all were all priced between $200 & $350. They are a good buy in that price range. I call them a poor man's Stella.
On 1/6/2015 at 12:49 AM, Dwight Hottle said:I have 4 different certates that I have purchased new. They all were all priced between $200 & $350. They are a good buy in that price range. I call them a poor man's Stella.
Seems like a good/fair price for an upper end reel, would you consider buying one at retail now that you have had the advantage of using them?
i've never seen the value in spending over $100 on a spinning reel period.... i just don't use them enough to justify.
that said, i picked up a pfleuger patriarch on a smoking deal and could not be happier. the thing is smooth as silk and looks awesome.
but if that deal were not available, a supreme or a shimano symettre would have likely been the next choice.
On 1/6/2015 at 12:52 AM, aavery2 said:Seems like a good/fair price for an upper end reel, would you consider buying one at retail now that you have had the advantage of using them?
I think any of them under $400 are a good buy. I would not pay full retail. Either wait for a 20% off sale or JDM model.
On 1/6/2015 at 12:27 AM, aavery2 said:I am all about high end gear. I understand the benefits and lore of owning a nice piece of fishing equipment. For some reason I just can't come to terms with 800 dollar spinning reels like the Steeze and the Stella. The Certate at 500 is also above my comprehension and appreciation. Someone tell me why these reels command this kind of price.
If you're paying $500 for a Certate, you need a new retailer. The new 2013 model can readily be found under $300.
Nah, not paying retail, I can get a much better deal. I was just using the retail price for sake of conversation.On 1/6/2015 at 7:07 AM, Tywithay said:If you're paying $500 for a Certate, you need a new retailer. The new 2013 model can readily be found under $300.
I've been really impressed with my Revo Premiers. Silky smooth and nice and light.
My favorite Spinning reels -> Stradic FJ and Symetre. However I've never gone above the Stradic.
On 1/7/2015 at 1:55 AM, WIGuide said:I've been really impressed with my Revo Premiers. Silky smooth and nice and light.
I have had a Premier spinning reel since they were released a few years back, it has never been serviced other than to clean and oil the line roller bearing, and put a drop of oil here or there. It remains very smooth, and I have not had a minutes problem with it.