Whats considered a good reel?

Been looking at a Shimano. Are they any good? I dont need the Ferrari of reels, but I dont want the Escort either.

Baitcaster or spinning?

What price point?

Spincast for now, preferably between 50-100.

I have always been happy with my Quantums.

Bill Dance combos can be had at a decent price from the local BPS.

That said, I think one of my better reels (baitcaster) is the Quantum 1310MG. Damn thing is tank tough with just minor care... Wash and oil once a year or so. I have one that is over 15 years old and is still my favorite reel.

I also like the Diawa line of reels.

At that price, Shimano Sahara 2500FB or Symetre 2500FI. You won't find a better spinning reel at that price ($60 Sahara, $80 Symetre).

Originally Posted By Specop_007: Spincast for now, preferably between 50-100.

There aren't many spincast reels in that price range. I think that the top-of-the-line spincast are the Zebco Omega and the Abu Garcia 1276C, and they sell for around $50. Most good spincasts (as opposed to plastic ones found in the Mickey Mouse kids fishing sets) sell for $20-$30.

Why spincast? An open face spinning reel is much more versatile and not very difficult to cast.

i've never had a problem

w\shimano.

clown

Originally Posted By DavidC: Originally Posted By Specop_007: Spincast for now, preferably between 50-100. There aren't many spincast reels in that price range. I think that the top-of-the-line spincast are the Zebco Omega and the Abu Garcia 1276C, and they sell for around $50. Most good spincasts (as opposed to plastic ones found in the Mickey Mouse kids fishing sets) sell for $20-$30. Why spincast? An open face spinning reel is much more versatile and not very difficult to cast.

You know, your right. I bought a combo now and hate the spincast on it now. Was going to upgrade. I fished for YEARS with an open face spinning reel and loved it. I think I may just go buy me another.

Penn 704Z. I have had finish problems with my newer other model Penns , but not the 704. Made in USA.

I like Shimano too. Runs real smooth.

I beat up all my fishing gear , and you can't go wrong with a 704 for that range of line test.

Just My opinion though.....

-JC

Originally Posted By Burley: At that price, Shimano Sahara 2500FB or Symetre 2500FI. You won't find a better spinning reel at that price ($60 Sahara, $80 Symetre).

I just bought a Sahara 2500FB and so far I really like it. Paid $59.99 for it.

Depends on what you need. I like Shimano. If you need to impress your buddies or some bluebloods then that is a different story.

Originally Posted By Roguelawyer: Depends on what you need. I like Shimano. If you need to impress your buddies or some bluebloods then that is a different story.

I buy quality, not names.

And I've found I can usually spend a lot less buying quality rather then names too.

You ever wonder why stores like Bass Pro have them on rack so you can twist the handles?

That's how I buy mine by the feel. How smooth or how much feel you can get gives you a better idea what the fish or your lure is doing on the other end of the line.

That being said, I have two or three Shimanos.

The other big selling point is ball bearing action. This may or may not have a lot to do with the feel, but it does have a lot to do with how long they maintain that feel.

A reel can easily be compared to a gun especially the AR. The worst thing an infrequent fisherman does is not pull maintenance on them, lubricate them. Then they trash the brand because they didn't do their thing just like some novices with ARs do.

BTW, With the exception of salt water fishing, I put more emphasis on poles than reels. You get more feel from the pole or sight action. I may put an inexpensive reel on an expensive pole but never the opposite.

Tj

Originally Posted By TomJefferson: You ever wonder why stores like Bass Pro have them on rack so you can twist the handles? That's how I buy mine by the feel. How smooth or how much feel you can get gives you a better idea what the fish or your lure is doing on the other end of the line. That being said, I have two or three Shimanos. The other big selling point is ball bearing action. This may or may not have a lot to do with the feel, but it does have a lot to do with how long they maintain that feel. A reel can easily be compared to a gun especially the AR. The worst thing an infrequent fisherman does is not pull maintenance on them, lubricate them. Then they trash the brand because they didn't do their thing just like some novices with ARs do. BTW, With the exception of salt water fishing, I put more emphasis on poles than reels. You get more feel from the pole or sight action. I may put an inexpensive reel on an expensive pole but never the opposite. Tj

I did spin them, and found a Daiwoo (sp?) I really liked. But, I wanted to make sure I didnt buy it and 2 months later have a peice of worn out shit on my hands.

So it terms of rods, what do you recommend?

Originally Posted By Specop_007: Originally Posted By TomJefferson: You ever wonder why stores like Bass Pro have them on rack so you can twist the handles? That's how I buy mine by the feel. How smooth or how much feel you can get gives you a better idea what the fish or your lure is doing on the other end of the line. That being said, I have two or three Shimanos. The other big selling point is ball bearing action. This may or may not have a lot to do with the feel, but it does have a lot to do with how long they maintain that feel. A reel can easily be compared to a gun especially the AR. The worst thing an infrequent fisherman does is not pull maintenance on them, lubricate them. Then they trash the brand because they didn't do their thing just like some novices with ARs do. BTW, With the exception of salt water fishing, I put more emphasis on poles than reels. You get more feel from the pole or sight action. I may put an inexpensive reel on an expensive pole but never the opposite. Tj I did spin them, and found a Daiwoo (sp?) I really liked. But, I wanted to make sure I didnt buy it and 2 months later have a peice of worn out shit on my hands. So it terms of rods, what do you recommend?

I'm not trying to talk in circles but I buy my rods on feel/action and construction. Usually its either Fenwick or Berkley IM7 for fresh water. Warning, not a good idea to pay retail for either one of those but on sale. The Fenwicks run about double the Berkley IM7 retail but actually I like the Berkly IM7 just as well and probably would have to say its one of my favorites. 3 out 6 rods I keep on my boat are Berkly IM7s.

The pole has everything to do with telling you when to and in setting the hook and a good pole can greatly increase your productivity.

I've actually had some great mass produced low cost rods, they just tend to wear out after a couple of seasons. I like the action on many Sharkesperes but its a one season rod. The trick is to get stiff but plenty of bend and keep the stiff. I'm not a fan of the cheap graphites like the Ugly Stick in general. They are excellent for cat fishing not holding your pole (I call sight fishing) and last well but they are too limber to start with for lure or finicky fishing areas.

Boron with a bait caster is fantastic but wow talk about costing. This is a material used on the better fly fishing rods which has crossover to some spin and bait rods. A good Winston Boron can be $600. Browning has introduced a Boron $100-$149, I'd like to take a look at but haven't yet. I have two borons I bought on a 1/2 off sale they must have 1/2 offed the 1/2 because the girl figured the price so high. Boron's can either be exceptionally thin for their action or last a lifetime.

BTW, You want a funny rod story. One of my fishing pals is a fanatic on rods. He whips them and flicks the tip to check the action. Then, he doubles them tip to handle. Man I can't tell you how many poles he's snapped in stores.

He always says, "Good thing I didn't buy that one."

Tj

BTW, If I kept a tally of gear to fish, I'd probably stop fishing.

It makes one long for Salt water where a good stiff fiberglass and Penn reel is all you need.

Second fast story, I take my Penn open faces when I do fishing pears which is usually tourist hangouts. They see me casting that big monster open face reel and it just blows their mind. Most tourist like the big bait casters. I spent 10 years on the gulf.

Hi, my name is MrMonte and im a tackle junkie. I too would recomend that you go to spinning gear rather than spin/cast reels. There is so much more available in terms of fitting your specific fishing needs. I wonder what type of fish your after? I think the Pflueger Supreme is a real nice reel for just under $100 at the top of your budget. The Shimano Sahara is also a good value for your buck, on sale at Cabelas for $50 right now. Your probably looking for something in the 2000-3000 size for general fishing. As TomJefferson said, the IM7 graphite rods are a good choice. The St. Croix premier rods are pretty nice and wont break the bank. I would rather spend more money on a nice rod than a reel.

I have a Quantum Energy on my main rod, which I love dearly, but as a backup I picked up a Pflueger President. I used the Pflueger exclusively trout fishing this past weekend and I gotta say for $50 it's a hell of a reel. Ultra smooth, great anti-reverse, smooth drag. I'm really impressed. I like that reel so much that when I was looking for a casting reel I tried all the $130-$200 reels and chose a Pflueger Supreme. I really think Pflueger reels are great for the money.

I would suggest finding a store that carries all the major brands and try them for yourself. Pick the smoothest reel you like in your price range. Let us know what you bring home!

Originally Posted By nashgill: I have a Quantum Energy on my main rod, which I love dearly, but as a backup I picked up a Pflueger President.

I use the Energy spinning reels most often too but didnt mention it due to costing a little over the $100 line. The only real complaint I have about it is that its on the heavy side for a #20 or 2500 size reel.

Originally Posted By Burley: At that price, Shimano Sahara 2500FB or Symetre 2500FI. You won't find a better spinning reel at that price ($60 Sahara, $80 Symetre).

Pay the extra money for the Symetre or look into the Spheros.

The Sahara is a good one season reel. The Symetre and Spheros will last years. I have 4 Symetres and 3 Spheros. Also, if you can afford the Stradic, it's a great reel. Then of course, you can move to the baitrunners if you want dual drags.

Penn 4500ss FTW

Originally Posted By Q3131A: Originally Posted By Burley: At that price, Shimano Sahara 2500FB or Symetre 2500FI. You won't find a better spinning reel at that price ($60 Sahara, $80 Symetre). Pay the extra money for the Symetre or look into the Spheros. The Sahara is a good one season reel. The Symetre and Spheros will last years. I have 4 Symetres and 3 Spheros. Also, if you can afford the Stradic, it's a great reel. Then of course, you can move to the baitrunners if you want dual drags.

My Symetre experience is only with the 750 FI but I absolutely would never buy another one! The body of that reel flexes way to much. It is still smooth after afew years, but most reels are if they are taken care of properly. I replaced it with a Stradic 1000 FH for afew dollars more and never looked back.

Originally Posted By Burley: At that price, Shimano Sahara 2500FB or Symetre 2500FI. You won't find a better spinning reel at that price ($60 Sahara, $80 Symetre).

I have both of those. I'm happy with them. I do favor the Symetre more though. That might just be because I like the rod it's on more.

Okuma makes a fine spincasting reel.

GET A SHIMANO. THEY ARE THE BEST. I WILL NEVER BUY ANYTHING ELSE.

Daiwa Exceler Spinning reel , 2500 model, has survived 2 seasons of salmon fishing on the rivers here, still works with out any problems good enough of a test as far as im concerned not a bad reel for 60+/- $

Hard to beat he Shimanos these days. I have a lot of them and they never failed me yet on what I have hooked.

Penn makes some really good spinning reels as well, and for used you can get one around $100. I've fished in several countries with them and never wanted anything else.

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