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Spinning Reels 2024


fishing user avatarbigbill reply : 

Ok do you think the quality of spinning reels since the 90's has become better or worse today?

I don't think we're seeing the cheap low quality that didn't last anymore from the 90's.

Today were seeing more reels with more ball bearings.

The bail spring design has changed from a circular spring to a longer coiled spring. On the other hand we don't get an extra bail spring with a new reel. Some don't come with an extra spool today.

Does anyone ever use that extra spool?

Any thoughts?? Newer? Older?


fishing user avatarS. Sass reply : 

I think its probably just as bad as ever. I walk through walmart and see tons of 2 bearing reels and combos and within a few weeks the inventory is depleted. Someone is buying a bunch a reels with next to no bearings. :Idontknow: I do think there are some good reels for a reasonable price though. Maybe more now then before. The Penn Fierce is a decent reel. One of the last to have a all metal body, only 4 stainless steel ball bearings but mine has been quite good for a couple a years. This is a $50 or less reel that I think would last for just about anyone. Then you have the Pflueger President is another decent reel in the $50 range so I think there are good reels but I have seen a bunch that I wouldnt want to use. 


fishing user avatarbigbill reply : 

I prefer less bearings with spinnerbaits.


fishing user avatarJeff H reply : 
  On 10/19/2015 at 2:37 AM, bigbill said:

I prefer less bearings with spinnerbaits.

You should explain that so everybody knows what you're talking about. :Idontknow:  I'm pretty sure you mean spinning reels instead of spinnerbaits but even so, why do you prefer less bearings in a spinning reel?  And what is your happy minimum?


fishing user avatarbigbill reply : 

I prefer less bearings in my spinning reels that i use with spinnerbaits. The spinning reels with more bearings(up to 10) plus the drag of the spinnerbait wears me out by the end of the trip.

I like to use my four ball bearing fin nor ahab lite spinning reels on my spinnerbaits, inlines, crankbaits.

I use the 10 ball bearing OKUMA exiptor and metaliod spinning reels with plastics, topwater, jigs etc.


fishing user avatarMolay1292 reply : 

I am trying to understand what you are saying for sure.  Are you saying that the extra weight of the additional bearings is the difference between being worn out when throwing spinnerbaits?


fishing user avatarkickerfish1 reply : 

Number of bearings has never been a deciding factor in determining the use or quality of a reel for me. The quality of the bearings and bearing placement however does. You can buy a cheap made in China reel with 10 bearings for under $20. I can promise you that reel will feel like junk no matter what you use it for. A friend of mine bought one of these for his son and the reel feels aweful.


fishing user avatarPitchinJigz reply : 
  On 10/19/2015 at 4:41 AM, Molay1292 said:

I am trying to understand what you are saying for sure. Are you saying that the extra weight of the additional bearings is the difference between being worn out when throwing spinnerbaits?

x2. His statement makes zero sense.
fishing user avatarJrob78 reply : 

Less bearings isn't going to make a reel retrieve a spinnerbait any easier.


fishing user avatarJeff H reply : 

Oy!  


fishing user avatarblckshirt98 reply : 

You have the same mix of plastic at the low end and magnesium at the high end, but there's been a "trickle" down of sorts with features making their way down to some of the mid-budget reels (especially spool design).  You can find a nice reel for 30-40 bucks like the Shimano Solstace or Diawa Crossfire that will last for years if you take care of it.


fishing user avatarbigbill reply : 

Sorry I should of checked back here sooner. When I was using my 6.3:1 spinning reel with ten ball bearing I found it harder to reel spinnerbaits over a lesser bearing reel that's 5:1 ratio. The faster reel wore me out.


fishing user avatarJrob78 reply : 
  On 10/19/2015 at 10:38 PM, bigbill said:

Sorry I should of checked back here sooner. When I was using my 6.3:1 spinning reel with ten ball bearing I found it harder to reel spinnerbaits over a lesser bearing reel that's 5:1 ratio. The faster reel wore me out.

That was because of gearing, not bearings.


fishing user avatarMikeFL52 reply : 

I think the amount of junk as well as quality in reels, as well as other equipment is relatively stable.  The old adage, You get what you pay for, pretty much always applies, to a point anyway.  I think that within each manufacturer's line you can find all of the above, price point often being a determining factor.  The lower priced reels, generally speaking, don't have the same quality parts and workmanship as higher priced models.  Having said all of that there are certainly exceptions to every rule, but for me, I stick with known manufacturers, buying there mid to higher priced models, mostly mid since that's what my budget demands.  I'm a Pflueger guy, I like their Supreme and Supreme XT reels. I have a couple of their lower priced Presidents and while they're a decent reel and perform adequately I do notice a difference with the somewhat higher priced Supremes.  I'm guessing the Patriarch more so, but I'm happy at the mid price range, and can't justify paying that much more.

ps: These are 8 - 10 bearing reels, with quality gears and frames


fishing user avatarbigbill reply : 

I find the more bearings the tighter the reel feels. The less bearings the reel is a tad looser.(spinning reels)

Are the 6.3:1 / 7.2:1 casting reels easier to crank with burning spinnerbaits? Over spinning reels?


fishing user avatarblckshirt98 reply : 

TBH in a blind test I bet most people can't tell the difference between a 4 bearing vs 10+ bearing reel if it's lubed and maintained properly.


fishing user avatarWIGuide reply : 

Gosh I love some of the stuff that comes out in these posts!


fishing user avatarPourMyOwn reply : 
  On 10/18/2015 at 9:29 AM, bigbill said:

Does anyone ever use that extra spool?

 

Yes, I do. I label it with a Sharpie, "6F" is 6 lb Fluoro, "6" is just 6lb mono. It's also why I have 3 of the same spinning reels, so I can have 3 spare spools ready to go. I'm not losing a trip due to line twist.


fishing user avatarthe reel ess reply : 

You can get an absolute STEAL of a spinning reel for $40 in the Pfleuger Trion. I'm gonna buy another as soon as I wear out my old BPS special.

 

BTW, I got that BPS reel (Viper) on a matched combo about 7 years ago for $70 and it's been a great one too. I've even stepped on the bail. I think it improved the operation!


fishing user avatarMikeFL52 reply : 

I do the same as PourMyOwn, spare spools filled and in my bag, cause you never know.  And yes Dink, I have 2 ultralight Trions which perform fine, I can notice the difference between these and Supremes but they work fine


fishing user avatarPourMyOwn reply : 

I like the Daiwa Regal, it's a lot of reel for around $40. 


fishing user avatark3bass reply : 
  On 10/20/2015 at 3:37 AM, the reel ess said:

You can get an absolute STEAL of a spinning reel for $40 in the Pfleuger Trion. I'm gonna buy another as soon as I wear out my old BPS special.

BTW, I got that BPS reel (Viper) on a matched combo about 7 years ago for $70 and it's been a great one too. I've even stepped on the bail. I think it improved the operation!

The line roller on the newer trions get a groove worn in them after a few trips if you use them with braid. I liked my older trions and presidents with the wood handles. The new versions are junk in my opinion.
fishing user avatarthe reel ess reply : 
  On 10/20/2015 at 4:45 AM, k3bass said:

The line roller on the newer trions get a groove worn in them after a few trips if you use them with braid. I liked my older trions and presidents with the wood handles. The new versions are junk in my opinion.

I have one with the black handle. All I've used on it is braid. I've had it since December and no groove.


fishing user avatark3bass reply : 
  On 10/20/2015 at 4:51 AM, the reel ess said:

I have one with the black handle. All I've used on it is braid. I've had it since December and no groove.

I'd check it closely, feel with the tip of your figernail. I have 3 of them and they all have a groove, it's gold colored in the groove where the chrome plating(or whatever it is) wears through on the roller. I'll post some pictures when I get a chance.


fishing user avatarbigbill reply : 
  On 10/20/2015 at 5:14 AM, k3bass said:

I'd check it closely, feel with the tip of your figernail. I have 3 of them and they all have a groove, it's gold colored in the groove where the chrome plating(or whatever it is) wears through on the roller. I'll post some pictures when I get a chance.

Is the roller loose enough to spin freely. How often do you lube it?


fishing user avatarthe reel ess reply : 
  On 10/20/2015 at 8:16 AM, bigbill said:

edit


fishing user avatarthe reel ess reply : 
  On 10/20/2015 at 5:14 AM, k3bass said:

I'd check it closely, feel with the tip of your figernail. I have 3 of them and they all have a groove, it's gold colored in the groove where the chrome plating(or whatever it is) wears through on the roller. I'll post some pictures when I get a chance.

I just checked again. It looks good to me. And it doesn't twist line either, which leads me to believe it's working properly.


fishing user avatarSnakehead Whisperer reply : 
  On 10/19/2015 at 11:46 PM, MikeFL52 said:

The old adage, You get what you pay for, pretty much always applies, to a point anyway. 

Unfortunately that's not always the case. I've always heard it as "You don't always get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get." More expensive doesn't necessarily mean better. I'm after good value for my hard earned money.

 

I too buy mid/upper-mid range reels. Most of my spinning reels are Shimano Saros, or Pflueger Presidents. I can't tell much of a difference between the Saros and the Stradic Ci4 from feel. They're both great reels, but the Saros happens to be much less expensive.

 

Welcome to the site, by the way. 


fishing user avatarMikeFL52 reply : 

Thanks Snakehead, I agree which is why I qualified my quote.


fishing user avatarbowhunter63 reply : 

I never have a problem with my Lews or Pfleuger.I use them for tubes grubs or stick baits.Spinnerbaits i always use my bait casters,More power and control.


fishing user avatarJaw1 reply : 

I'm a Sahara fan myself really think it's the best $80 reel out there. I fish them just as much as myStradic and more than the patriarch I had (got rid of it due to lack of use). I think there are more quality/value options these days myself than there used to be.


fishing user avatarEvanT123 reply : 

I put my symetre and certate head to head for a little while today. They were on very similar type rods throwing very similar type baits. They both did the job very similarly. The symetre has proven itself to me catching many fish, the certate has some catching up to do but is very nice.

I have to wonder if I was fishing bait casters say a citica and a steez would the difference In their operation and function be greater?


fishing user avatark3bass reply : 
  On 10/21/2015 at 10:26 AM, EvanT123 said:

I put my symetre and certate head to head for a little while today. They were on very similar type rods throwing very similar type baits. They both did the job very similarly. The symetre has proven itself to me catching many fish, the certate has some catching up to do but is very nice.

I have to wonder if I was fishing bait casters say a citica and a steez would the difference In their operation and function be greater?

Comparing a symetre to a certate is nonsense. I quickly sold my symmetry fl after using it a few times. On the other hand after using my certates, one for 2 years and the others for almost a year, I'd gladly pay retail price for them even though I bought them all at a discount.


fishing user avatarogbfishing reply : 

Shimano and Daiwa still make ultra-smooth spinning reels for $50-$80


fishing user avatarbholtzinger14 reply : 

I just bought a SHIMANO STRADIC FK and a Abu Garcia® Revo® SX Spinning Reel from cabelas to put on 2 new Omens. I have only had one other spinning real and it was an Okuma. I hope these feel as good or better. I lost the Okuma this weekend. It is at the bottom of the lake!!


fishing user avatarEvanT123 reply : 
  On 10/22/2015 at 12:29 AM, k3bass said:

Comparing a symetre to a certate is nonsense. I quickly sold my symmetry fl after using it a few times. On the other hand after using my certates, one for 2 years and the others for almost a year, I'd gladly pay retail price for them even though I bought them all at a discount.

Can you enlighten me on how w the two reels differ in their function and operation?


fishing user avatark3bass reply : 
  On 10/22/2015 at 6:42 AM, EvanT123 said:

Can you enlighten me on how w the two reels differ in their function and operation?

So why buy a symetre then? Why not buy the 20 dollar shimano fx? It fuctions and operates the same as the symetre.

I like reels that STAY smooth and have zero issues. The symetre had binding issues and got rough after little use. It also had too much flex in the stem since shimano decided to downgrade the symetre to a graphite frame.


fishing user avatarEvanT123 reply : 
  On 10/22/2015 at 7:06 AM, k3bass said:

So why buy a symetre then? Why not buy the 20 dollar shimano fx? It fuctions and operates the same as the symetre.

I like reels that STAY smooth and have zero issues. The symetre had binding issues and got rough after little use. It also had too much flex in the stem since shimano decided to downgrade the symetre to a graphite frame.

Exactly, get in where you fit in.


3298

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