What is your must have ? 2024

Ima Bass Ninja reply :

What is your must have for a reel before you even consider buying it? For me it would be an aluminum frame..How bout you?

bigfruits reply :

it has to start with an S and end with an O

SeanW reply :

dependable drag system(Abu Garcia)

Grey Wolf reply :

I have no absolutes with fishing gear.

BASSclary reply :

looks. I don't wan't to fish an unattractive reel if I can get a prettier one with comparable performance.

Having said that though, I will fish ugly reels if performance is there.

Looks is mainly for comparable reels.

Also good dependable service, and durability.

Goose52 reply :

For me - the sum of the features of the reel have to add up to value for money - it's not just a single must-have. Aluminum frame is one thing I look for (until a better frame material is introduced in my price range), but an adequate drag (for my target fish), good braking system (or systems), and casting distance come into play. Note that I didn't mention a subjective criterion like "smoothness" (how smooth is smooth enough...).

FOR ME, the idea is to get a reel that is good enough to not be limiting on fishing success, but not TOO good where value is reduced and the increased cost doesn't put fish in the boat (or on the bank) !

I.rar reply :

a proven track record...

shimano?

SoFlaBassAddict reply :

x2 on the Proven track record.

tnbassfisher reply :

Must set up well for the application that it will be fished.

Delaware Valley Tackle reply :

Priorities for reel purchase:

1. Budget

2. Quality Materials Components(Frame Material, gear material, Bearing quality...)

3. Engineering Design (Profile, ergonomics, drag, wt...)

4. Application suitability (Gear ratio, line capacity, IPT)

5. Style (color, trim...)

OHIO reply :

Value for the money, durability, performance, etc. Not one thing that does it for me either.

bilgerat reply :

Same as my vehicles and the tools I earn my living with: reliability. Everything else is secondary. I'll do my part maintaining them. If it lets me down, it's done.

J Francho reply :

Bare minimum? I have to want the reel.

philsoreel reply :

Sloppiness is a problem for me. I like everything smooth and tight....in short SHIMANO

scrutch reply :

Anything But Quantum.

I will be buying all

SHIMANO

in the future.

roadwarrior reply :

Quote
it has to start with an S and end with an O

Hmm...

Strong, smooth, silent and reliant.

RussBert reply :

It has to match the rod. Style is everything

skunked_again reply :

the reel has to be over-hyped by those who have yet to lay hands on it.

flippin and pitchin reply :

quality+performance+service+warrantee divided by price = value. Kent always says be patient and look for the best stuff posted on the flea market at good prices. That's good advice. I try to buy like that but new. Example: 2010 Revo Premier for $167.00. VALUE.

SirSnookalot reply :

Customer service is important to me, even if the reel never needs service knowing I can count on them is an important factor. Just about everything I have is being phased out in favor of Abu or Penn at the moment. Not to be closed minded I'm willing to try something different at anytime, it's only a reel, if it doesn't work out so be it.

0119 reply :

Strong enough for more than just bass. Something I can work on myself. And even if it is made by Shimano it has to be made in Japan. No more Malaysia, no more Taiwan, no more China.

Catt reply :

Quote

Quote
it has to start with an S and end with an O

Hmm...

Strong, smooth, silent and reliant.

Solid as an anvil dependable as a 30/30 versatile as a pair of channel locks

Bankbeater reply :

Good word of mouth from others that have used one.

lynyrdsky1 reply :

Cost, reliability, and did I say cost?

J Francho reply :

Cost? Everything costs. Do you mean value? What do you value then? That's the question.

KYntucky Warmouth reply :

Quote
Bare minimum? I have to want the reel.

that's usually what gets me, I do like to find things at a discount. I try to look around for deals on ebay and here in the flea market. I have payed retail for exactly two reels since I have been bass fishing, a Quantum Code and a Mitchell Avocet. The Mitchell was bought as my first "bass'' rig and the Code was my first baitcaster. Since then if its a good deal and I want it, it's mine.

I also like for the reels to match the rods they go on.....

lynyrdsky1 reply :

Quote
Cost? Everything costs. Do you mean value? What do you value then? That's the question.

meant how much I'm going to have to pay for it.

J Francho reply :

Well, yeah. Can't buy it if doesn't have price. Still haven't answered the original question.

I'm jerking your chain. You mean if you have $100, and the reel is $150, its out of the question.

northern basser reply :

Quote
Good word of mouth from others that have used one.

I also like others opinions (who have used it). Lately I've also preferred to stay under 8oz. Oh, and that its a shimano (unless its a pat. xt!!) ;D ;D ;D

lynyrdsky1 reply :

Quote
Well, yeah. Can't buy it if doesn't have price. Still haven't answered the original question.
I'm jerking your chain. You mean if you have $100, and the reel is $150, its out of the question.

Haha its fine. I mean if there is a reel for 150 but theres one thats for 100 that has the same performance but the only difference is its cheaper, you go with the cheaper one. Sorry for not being clear about that.

J Francho reply :

Good word of mouth alone doesn't tell me anything. It depends on whose mouth it comes from, and context. Most people like what they have, simply because its all they know. And that's fine, but rarely can you find someone that can compare and contrast two products fairly.

philsoreel reply :

Quote
Strong enough for more than just bass. Something I can work on myself. And even if it is made by Shimano it has to be made in Japan. No more Malaysia, no more Taiwan, no more China.

Like buying a Metanium instead of a Chronarch?

All of my Cores and Curados have made in Japan on the box but my Stradic CI4s have made in Malaysia on them. Are all CI4s made in Malaysia?

Big Fish Rice reply :

I'll add another *Shimano* vote, but I don't think it's needed

For baitcasters, Shimano is my only way to go. For spinning reels, I've used everything under the sun and have been pleased with several companies. (Shimano, Pflueger, Daiwa, Okuma)

Ima Bass Ninja reply :

ok i have to add a side bar here.. I understand lots of people are big Shimano fans, so i ask what does the quality or part does your Shimano have to have in order for you to consider purchasing. I ask this because i've seen reels with the Shimano name on them at K-mart and they ain't all that great of quality. I realize there's a difference, but there has to be something else that draws you to a Shimnao whether it be feel or weight or looks or something

Bluebasser86 reply :

Weight, performance, durability, word of mouth, looks, price, want, they all factor in. I've fished with about every brand from my days when I could check a reel out and take it fishing when I worked at Cabela's. I love my Shimano's but I have been very impressed with the Revo SX and STX. I have an S that lasted one season before the levelwind quit working. Just got one of the new BPS Rick Clunn powerfishing reels and I like it really well so far.

Fish Chris reply :

Well, maybe nowadays, all spinning reels have this.... But I could not use a reel which doesn't have infinite anti-reverse.

I like a reel to be tight / precision / smooth..... but I don't care what brand it is, I promise I can make it sloppy and loose over time. Especially my micro-lights. And I have no idea why this is ? Every micro-light should be able to handle a few 100 lb Sturgeon, right ?

Peace,

Fish

Goose52 reply :

Quote
Well, maybe nowadays, all spinning reels have this.... But I could not use a reel which doesn't have infinite anti-reverse.
I like a reel to be tight / precision / smooth..... but I don't care what brand it is, I promise I can make it sloppy and loose over time. Especially my micro-lights. And I have no idea why this is ? Every micro-light should be able to handle a few 100 lb Sturgeon, right ?

Peace,

Fish

That's a good point. I finally took one of my mid-80s Shakespeare Sigma spinning reels out of front-line service because the clicking from the anti-reverse pawl on the rachet was driving me nuts! I also still occasionally fish a Mitchell 408 from the 60s and it clicks too, but it's more subdued than that Shakespeare. But on all these old reels, you immediately notice the back-play that we don't have on the more modern reels.

philsoreel reply :

The best way I can explain my love and trust in Shimano is this....

In 93' or 94'(getting old, can't remember) when Shimano came out with the Chronarch, my buddies all called me a fool for paying $200 for a fishing reel. Just being conservative we'll say that reel is 16 years old. For 16 years that reel has been on every single fishing trip I have been on and I fish alot. I replaced one spool shaft bearing(three months ago) and that's the only part that has ever needed replacing. That reel is still smoother, quieter, and tighter than most $200 reels today. I sold it on ebay two months for $152.

That is why I choose Shimano.

ChiCityBasser reply :

For me it's quality and performance and also value/deal and my product of choice is Quantum. Now I know quite a few on here have had issue with them but I've only been fishing the last 4-5 years and they have performed for me solidly. I have other reels in my arsenal including Daiwa, Cabelas reels(made by daiwa), a no name rainbow bm spinning reel and a shimano. My quantums spend more time on the water with me and only had a issue with one quantum reel. Took it back and replaced it with a Quantum. Great products and have worked for me everytime.

00 mod reply :

Good palm-ability! I have small hands( no need for jokes here http://www.snopes.com/risque/penile/size.asp ) and I like the smaller bait casters that I can palm! Also weight so I dont get tired using it all day! and Shimano only!

tholmes reply :

As far as "must-have" qualities, on the top of the list is right-hand retrieve. Then comes affordability, if it doesn't fit my budget, I ain't buying. After that it's reliability, comfort and smoothness on the cast and retrieve.

I really don't care who makes it and I don't need 15 bearings and a 12:1 retrieve ratio.

Tom

Primus reply :

Quote
Anything But Quantum.
I will be buying all

SHIMANO

in the future.

That sums it up for me, whenever I try anything else I end up being disapointed.

tennwalkinghorse reply :

Smooth Drag

The Rooster reply :

For baitcasters, it must be a Shimano and it must have an aluminum frame.

For spinners, it must be a Shimano, it must have infinite anti-reverse, and it must have main drive gear support bearings on both sides of the gear (most do but the Sahara does not, there is one bushing). The reason for that last one is that I retrieve with my right hand, even on a spinning reel, and if a company puts only one bearing on the main drive gear it's typically on the left side (as with the Sahara and one Sedona I owned in the past). I'm assuming they do this to promote the slickest retreive possible and since it seems that most of the world retrieves left handed on a spinning reel then that's where they put the one bearing. When I switch the crank to the right, I am now on the bushing side of the gear. My feeling is that a plastic bushing will wear out fairly quickly and especially if it's on the same side that I crank on. It would receive more pressure than otherwise since I switch sides with the crank handle so even if I do decide to purchase a reel with a bushing on the main gear, I quickly order a bearing to replace it with.

0119 reply :

We are all just lucky there are so many brands to choose from and maybe develop a loyalty for. This forum is Shimano biased, tackletour is Daiwa biased, most surf fishing forums are Abu or Penn biased. No one should rely solely on the unseen people in the 'air' of the internet for advise when it comes to selecting a quality reel. I would hope they never rely on the advertisement passing as fishing shows either.

SirSnookalot reply :

Quote
We are all just lucky there are so many brands to choose from and maybe develop a loyalty for. This forum is Shimano biased, tackletour is Daiwa biased, most surf fishing forums are Abu or Penn biased. No one should rely solely on the unseen people in the 'air' of the internet for advise when it comes to selecting a quality reel. I would hope they never rely on the advertisement passing as fishing shows either.

Goose52 reply :

Quote

Quote
We are all just lucky there are so many brands to choose from and maybe develop a loyalty for. This forum is Shimano biased, tackletour is Daiwa biased, most surf fishing forums are Abu or Penn biased. No one should rely solely on the unseen people in the 'air' of the internet for advise when it comes to selecting a quality reel. I would hope they never rely on the advertisement passing as fishing shows either.

X2

WdyCrankbait reply :

Ergonomics, if it does not feel good in my hands I will not use it.

brushhoggin reply :

castability. i was throwing a 1/4 texas rig with 55lb braid into 15-20 mile an hour winds sunday, 25-30 yards with an STX, which i appreciate

2590

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