Need for high end spinning reel?? 2024
JRammit reply :
So ive learned you get what you pay for with a baitcast reel.. With the high tech braking systems, bearings and drag systems
But why the expensive spinning reels??.... Ive always said the only thing separating a $40 reel from a $100 reel is a few ball bearings
Barring the really cheapo reels of course.... For $40 you can pick up a reel of any brand with an instant anti reverse and front drag... A $100 reel isnt gonna cast any better, that comes down to line and rod choice.... Basically all a spinning reel does is pick up slack
I have a Shimano Sienna that im happy with and plan to buy another eventually.... If you were a salesman, how would you convince me to buy a Symetre instead??
Choporoz reply :
I wouldn't. I have a Sienna that I love. I also have a Symetre that I have a love/hate relationship with.
The Sienna is a horse. Always strong and faithful, never given me a problem. The Symetre is much smoother; both the drag and the retrieve. However, the Symetre is temperamental; the 'binding' issues that I get, particularly in warmer weather are intermittent, but maddening.
In general, however, my 'higher end' spinning reels offer a smoothness that is very satisfying, but don't necessarily fish any better than a RELIABLE cheaper reel, IMHO. The exception, of course, is those reels (at any cost, really) that have hurky-jerky drag. Those will lose you fish eventually.
Darren. reply :
I do see a difference between low and high end
reels, and smoothness is one of the areas.
The other, at least with Shimano is their X-Ship
gearing which is just fantastic. I can really tell
the difference. They're smoother, they really move
a fish better than non-X-ship. I have Stradics with
and without it, FWIW.
The other is drag, as Choporoz also mentioned.
Not that you can't find a good, inexpensive spinning
reel. Plenty have them and use them. For me, I do
not regret spending the money for my four Stradics.
And lastly, though not always the case, weight. If say
you were to opt for a CI4+ you'd see a significant
reduction in weight, more like that of a bait caster.
roadwarrior reply :
Need? No, probably not, but want? Yes!
Strong, smooth, silent and reliant. Higher priced reels tend to improve over time. For me the most important feature is a smooth, reliable and consistent drag.
kickerfish1 reply :
I don't think anyone would could a Symetre to be high end. At the Stradic level and above, the reels tend to separate themselves...
Fishin' Fool reply :
Compare your Sienna to the Stradic FK and then the CI4 you should feel the difference between the reels. FWIW I own 4 Stradics but have not felt the need to spend the extra $50 to grab the CI4 at this point.
roadwarrior reply :
I agree. Stradic would be where "high end" starts.
avidone1 reply :
For bass fishing you never NEED an expensive spinning reel. The reason why folks like myself will occasionally spend the high prices is because they are elegant and deeply satisfying. I own a Daiwa Steez spinning reel. It is beautiful to look at. If has no vibration at all when retrieving. It has micro drag settings. It casts silky smooth. it is very light.
I also have a Shimano symetre and Sedona which work just fine. But there is something about the refinement of a truly high end reel that enhances the experience for me. It's not a "bragging" thing, because I fish alone so there is no one to brag to. But it is an "ego" thing. I KNOW I'm using a tool that is the best. It strums those soulful chords
S Hovanec reply :
A Chevy and a Mercedes do the same thing too, what's the need for a Mercedes? Some people just like nice gear that will last.
Kyle46N reply :
In my experience, fishing ultralight and light action bass for 25 years, the biggest difference between higher end spinning and low end spinning is the durability. For example, out of the box, Okuma makes some smooth reels under 50 bucks. But, two years of hard fishing and they start to break down. Cheaper components. In the past few years I've upgraded to Pflueger supremes and they are holding up much better. Alloy frames, etc. You can probably experience similar longevity with any of the higher end brand names when you start getting into alloy frames and more durable components. The big exception I've read about over and over is the Pflueger president. I've lost track of how many reviews I've read of guys owning these things for years and they're still solid. That's a low end (cost) reel with a record of durability. But even then, they are heavier than many of your high end reels. Give and take.
Fishin' Fool reply :
I agree that durability is a big factor of the more expensive reels. I've bought the "higher end" Gander Mountain reels only to get a few seasons out of them but my Stradics take a lickin' but keep on tickin'.
JRammit reply :
Good answers!
On the durability side, my 1st Sienna is 10 years old, i never once cleaned or oiled it (didnt know to back then) and it still works fine.. I only quit using it because the spool is all chipped from me tripping and falling in the rocks one too many times
My "new" Sienna is about 3 yrs old now, and i love it... But i just bought a Diawa Tatula BC, and i find it unpleasing to put it down and use my cheap spinning gear.... So i feel y'all there!
BassWhole! reply :
On 5/2/2016 at 9:03 PM, Choporoz said:I wouldn't. I have a Sienna that I love. I also have a Symetre that I have a love/hate relationship with.
The Sienna is a horse. Always strong and faithful, never given me a problem. The Symetre is much smoother; both the drag and the retrieve. However, the Symetre is temperamental; the 'binding' issues that I get, particularly in warmer weather are intermittent, but maddening.
In general, however, my 'higher end' spinning reels offer a smoothness that is very satisfying, but don't necessarily fish any better than a RELIABLE cheaper reel, IMHO. The exception, of course, is those reels (at any cost, really) that have hurky-jerky drag. Those will lose you fish eventually.
That is a design flaw of several Shimano spinning reels. What I finally did that works great, is remove the friction ring and tripping pin. No more binding, or bails slamming shut on snap casts.
IAY reply :
It makes me happier when I use it. Only reason I need lol
buzzed bait reply :
i agree that it's not necessary. BUT i did find a pflueger patriarch on sale a while back (like great sale you can't pass up) and am so happy i bought it. not that it's a huge difference honestly, but it is just buttery smooth and pretty light too. that said, i really like my trions too.... MUCH cheaper and they do a fine job for their intended uses!
Nick S reply :
On 5/2/2016 at 10:02 PM, reason said:That is a design flaw of several Shimano spinning reels. What I finally did that works great, is remove the friction ring and tripping pin. No more binding, or bails slamming shut on snap casts.
Removing the friction ring only helps shimano reels that have the old black ring that swelled up and rubbed the rotor. The symetre fj and new fl reels still bind and it has nothing to do with the friction ring. Even if it did you shouldn't have to remove parts from a hundred dollar reel to use it! Shimano should have fixed the issue years ago but they still deny the problem and produce spinning reels that bind.
mrpao reply :
For some strange reason I've had the most binding with the Shimano symetre series. I have both lower and higher shimano spinning reels. The symetres always gave me the most issues. So now, I just stay away from them. Most of my other shimano spinning reels are trouble free
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
You don't need expensive reels of either type. Spinning reels don't depend on mechanics for casting, but bails, oscillation, rotor balance, AR, weight, smoothness and long term durability are all areas of difference in low and higher end reels.
Onvacation reply :
My wife, who is 14 years younger than me, bought me a Stradic Ci4 for Christmas. I could get by with a cheaper reel and an older wife, but in both instances I was fortunate enough to get the extra smoothness, slightly higher build quality, and something that I knew would outlast me. Just sayin'.
BaitMonkey1984 reply :
On 5/3/2016 at 9:10 AM, Onvacation said:My wife, who is 14 years younger than me, bought me a Stradic Ci4 for Christmas. I could get by with a cheaper reel and an older wife, but in both instances I was fortunate enough to get the extra smoothness, slightly higher build quality, and something that I knew would outlast me. Just sayin'.
Been reading these forums religiously for about three years. This is hands down my favorite post I have ever read. Funny yet 100% true.
Chrisran99 reply :
I have fished shimano's for years in salt water, but never took the plunge on their higher end reels. Most of my experience was with the Sahara and one Symetre. When looking at better spinning tackle I bought a Abu SX 30 and it was great until I just got a deal on a Stradic FJ. It worth the money, even though I only gave $80 for it. Paired with some 10# power pro and a Fenwick HMG ML it has been pure poison with small crawls and sinkos on the beds. So to answer your question does it catch more fish, I doubt it, but I'm a happy customer.
frogflogger reply :
My zebco cardinal 4 is still smooth - I got it the first year they came out - replaced a few rollers and bail springs.
buzzed bait reply :
On 5/3/2016 at 9:10 AM, Onvacation said:My wife, who is 14 years younger than me, bought me a Stradic Ci4 for Christmas. I could get by with a cheaper reel and an older wife, but in both instances I was fortunate enough to get the extra smoothness, slightly higher build quality, and something that I knew would outlast me. Just sayin'.
LOL.... maybe i should have shopped around a little more on the wife, eh??
Onvacation reply :
Don't get me wrong, I still appreciate the classics.
Master Bait'r reply :
If there was any shred of "need" in my desire for high end spinning reels I might consider your stance.
Thankfully there is not!
Capt.Bob reply :
not a salesman and they probably don't like this. But I wouldn't talk you into either!! That is because I found out a long time ago, buy the best and it is easier and cheaper to UPDATE,,, instead of having to UPGRADE,,,,, when you do!!
I bought my first Stradic Bantam about 20 years ago, I found out the big difference is how long that reel keeps functioning like new and how much the sell for when taken care of used! Since I bought my first Stradic I have not owned less since! The Stradic I used for three years back then in a raging river with 20# fireline and in boulder ridden whitewater throwing as much as 1 1/2 oz using split shot up to 1 1/8 oz to get my 3/8 oz jigs down in this current for 2 months nearly every day, from sunup till I some days sundown. snaggs and breaking off are often, the reel takes a hammering most fishing won't ever subject to them. It was the first reel I could use for more than one season without the frame and rotor gears and anti-reverse, being totally stressed out and sloppy, gears stayed smooth, super stopper held up, drag operated as it should.
Befor that I bought top end reels from other manufacturers, a different one every year, and every year they needed more parts and work and could not be put back into service as the way they were new no matter what I did. Today those techniques have changed, now seldom do I need more than 1 oz to get my floating jigs down, using lighter lines on the bottom, Usually 1/2 or 5/8 will do the trick, much easier on the reels, but today I use nothing but Stradics and Sustains. They last and I do get my my money back when I replace em.
Two years ago I updated my Stradic FI's, 2-2500, and a 4000, I replaced them with new 1000, 3000, and 4000 FJ's, I did this at very little cost, those used FI's sold for nearly what I payed for them, cosmetically perfect, and mechanically as new back in the boxes with what they came with, and didn't lose over 15 bucks from what I payed for them new! I did this when I went from the stradic FD models, the FG models and the FH models, every time I never spent more than 10 or 15 bucks to replace a reel I had used for 2 to 4 years with the newest brand new model. You won't do that with the less expensive models, I can sell used Stradics in the box like I bought them, and not loose more than 15 bucks from what I bought them for after using them for a year, buying them on sale new, but ya can't with a Sienna Solace Sahara or whatever other reels Iv'e seen.
I'll spend 10 to 20 dollars every two to 4 years to use these reels over the less expensive reels I can't get my money back out of. I'm ready to sell some very clean FJ's now, and replace them with the Ci4+, smoother better drags and much lighter, and a huge improvement over the first Ci4's. I have already bought 2 2500's and a 1000 Ci4+, and yes no other reel compares that cost less than 600 bucks in my mind, and taken care of I will sell them when I am done with them for close to what I paid, and 2 of them probably more than I paid,,,,,,,,,don't ask, 
On 5/3/2016 at 9:20 PM, frogflogger said:My zebco cardinal 4 is still smooth - I got it the first year they came out - replaced a few rollers and bail springs.
Not saying your reel is not smooth as it was new!! BUT,,,,,
Before you think you know the true meaning of smooth,,, you gotta try a new Stradic CI4+ or FJ,,,, no selectable AR I won't try the newest, but trust me,,, the cardinal is not in the same smooth category,,,
Murrica reply :
I have learned over time to buy the best I can afford the first time. My Ned Rig rod has burned through 2 lews reels in a year and half and and I purchased the Stradic FJ on sale (should Have bought all of them for the $120 price on them) and that is the smoothest reel for the the money I have felt. Light as well. Not clunky and smooth drag.
Gavin.Ange reply :
I don't understand why it even matters, if we wish to purchase high end spinning reels then we can, until you purchase a "high end" spinning reel, you cant say much, but to me its the smoothness, the QUALITY is a big one, better drag system, lighter too... But whatever 
PatrickKnight reply :
I buy high end spinning reels because I use spinning tackle much more than I do casting. I recently just upgraded a 15 year old Stradic FG 2000 to a Stradic FK 3000 and man the difference is much more than I was expecting.
J Francho reply :
Cheap spinning reels drive me nuts - wobbly rotors, clunky bails that flop back on the cast, excessive twist from crummy rollers, AR slipping...you name it. I go Stradic or above these days. Yes, I prefer Shimano spinners. I have a Pinnacle Performa that actually pretty good too, but I think that's a $100 reel.
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