For the first Topic in the New Forum - Who makes the best reels?

For the first Topic in the New Forum - Who makes the best reels?

RJT1 [Member]

8/2/2007 10:56:20 PM

I like Shimano for Freshwater and he durability of the older Penns for Salt. What say you?

emcs31089 [Member]

8/3/2007 2:23:07 PM

+1 for Penn

rvnvet [Member]

8/3/2007 6:02:58 PM

Shimano, fresh water

Blaze261 [Member]

8/3/2007 6:40:21 PM

Daiwa
Shimano
Pflueger

Bassman2 [Team Member]

8/4/2007 12:34:37 AM

For freshwater, there are really only two choices. Shimano or Diawa.

I have both and see applications for both - my current preference is Daiwa for some reason.

stocklx [Member]

8/4/2007 3:29:17 PM

pflueger
daiwa
penn

cool-e [Team Member]

8/4/2007 3:50:36 PM

Originally Posted By emcs31089:
+1 for Penn

Penn has really had some problems in the last few years. The long time family owners sold the company a few years ago to some total butthole. He pissed off so many distributors and changed parts policies so dramatically that many distributors dropped Penn products. They also seem to change or modify models for no real reason which makes the parts situation worse. Then they went through a phase where their 113 reel right side plates would expand after getting wet: they would expand enough to cause the eccentric lever to lock up solid. They also started outsourcing parts production to China. Great. Now, Penn has been sold again, this time to Shakesphere. Our company owns about 200 Penn reels, and if Penn doesn't become more parts friendly, we will switch to Newells.

ALLANJ [Team Member]

8/5/2007 2:11:18 PM

Shimano for me. Although I still love my Garcia 4600 C3's.

haloemt [Member]

8/5/2007 9:18:41 PM

I've always liked Mitchell

BlackeeMcRifley [Member]

8/5/2007 9:19:55 PM

I'm a fan of Okuma casting reels

SENT [Member]

8/6/2007 10:33:30 AM

Shimano

deadboi77 [Team Member]

8/8/2007 5:21:28 AM

Originally Posted By Blaze261:
Daiwa
Shimano
Pflueger

MTNmyMag [Team Member]

8/8/2007 5:32:30 AM

Van Stahl

jms92 [Team Member]

8/8/2007 11:10:34 AM

I've always liked Mitchell

+1

Still using a Mitchell that I got 33 years ago....

hellbound [Team Member]

8/8/2007 11:12:58 AM

Shimano.

My baitrunner is going on 5+ years in the salt. I have a stradic as well which is great.

All of my freshwater stuff is shimano, even the plastic pack dick's reels have held up great for me over the years.

Burley [Member]

8/9/2007 2:57:44 AM

Shimano

Flooger is owned and manufactured by Shakespeare. 'Nuff said...

protus [Team Member]

8/9/2007 7:29:49 AM

penn here on all my salty rigs

Q3131A [Team Member]

7/8/2008 9:40:29 AM

I don't know who makes the "best" reels, but Shimano has the best support and customer service.

VNVGUNNER [Team Member]

7/9/2008 7:24:48 AM

Shimano for me. Might not be the best, but you get what you pay for, and that means alot today.

Chimborazo [Team Member]

8/27/2008 5:56:57 PM

Originally Posted By MTNmyMag:
Van Stahl

$$$$

I like Shimano and Abu Garcia for fresh, still using Penn for Salt.