Are the Any Spinning Reels That AREN'T Made in China Now?

Been wondering. Worse yet, its hard to distinguish the cheap chinese-made reels from the good chinese-made reels. With reel prices that have lept above and beyond reasonable levels for what you get, I worry that upon buying that $150 Shimano, would I get as good a reel for $50 in a Pfleuger? When I get the chance to mess around with them at the store, I can see no difference in fit or finish, nor can I feel any difference in action or operation.

Let me also ad that although I am certainly not a professional fisherman, I am no novice either. I grew up on the coast of Maine with a rod in my hand, and fishing is my second-most-important hobby aside from guns (of course). Needless to say, its been a while since I bought a new reel.

What do you guys think? Do you think that a $400 spinning reel is worth the price? When I was a kid, you could get a Mitchel 300 for about $12 at the hardware store, and if you actually HAD one in your posession, well, you were a god!

Look for an older Penn reel.

I was referring to new manufacture.

just like anything you get what you pay for. i have a shimano stradic F1 4000 size that was made in mayalsia and is very nice. got it from an ebay store. smooth retrieve and drag, no line twist. i recommend it without reservation.

as far as the differences, i have never compared spinning reels, but my curado baitcasters at the 150-200 price point are leaps and bounds above the cheap pfluegers and red ambassadeurs my dad buys. they cast farther and smoother and retrieve smoother, better drag and a lot less backlashing. all that said he outfishes me anyway so maybe none of that matters, but i am satisfied with the product quality and value.

ardent and us reel. supposedly the only two brands manufactured here. ardent is your best choice! they have some pretty nice stuff. i do not own any myself so i cannot speak from experience.

Here are the links. Looks pretty good. Still, I balk at the $150 that Ardent is asking for their 2500-series spinning reels.

http://www.ardentoutdoors.com/default.asp

These guys look promising. Again, the prices for their bottom-line reels are about $150.

http://www.usreel.com/

Will I seek out and buy one of these reels? Probably not. I've caught a lot of fish in my life, and I've never needed a reel that costs $150. Oh yes, I am serious about fishing, but I just believe it can be done and baby still gets a new pair of shoes. Take rods even. I truly believe there is not much difference between a $29 IM7 graphite rod, and a $200 IM7 graphite rod. Yes, you have to be picky. Get one with a fast taper, and you won't be able to tell the difference, at least any difference wont make a... difference...

All of my Shimano baitcasting and spinning reels were made in Japan.

If you go to a local tackle store you can see where they are made.

I have slowly but surely swapped over to Shimano on almost everyone of my rods for different situations.

I wasn't sure that the $160.00 Shimano Curado 200DHSV was going to be better than my $100.00 Abu Garcia's but they are!

After trying one I knew I would have to buy more of them to replace the others!

BigDozer66

I have a Shimano made in Malaysia.

FWIW, I went to place that has those US Reels. They are very sweet. Very well-made. You actually feel like you have a nice piece of machinery in your hand.

Huh....That's funny. Every US Reel I have ordered for the store has had a made in china sticker on it. US Reels are designed in the USA, but they are made overseas. They shouldn't be able to call the company US Reel if their goods are not made in the United States. Ardent claims they the only manufacturer of fishing reels in the USA. I have never had any of their products in our store, so I will have to take their word for it. I have sold fishing gear for over 20 years, and there isn't hardly anything connected with fishing that isn't made in china now. It is a pretty sad state of affairs. BTW...this the first time I have even looked into any of the fishing forums on ARFCOM. If you guys have any questions about fishing gear give me a shout. We have all kinds of bass, crappie and panfish tackle.

Ugh! This disgusts me. Here is a cut/paste from their website:



Here is a cut/paste from the FAQ section of the Ardent site:



I guess I know which one I will be going with.

yep
me too

I think you'll find that reviews for the Ardent products show them as being mediocre at best, and in most cases inferior to the Chinese products from their competition (Shimano, Pflueger, Daiwa, Abu Garcia, etc.)

Shimano Stella is made in Japan. Accurate Twinspin is made in the US.

Ardents are made in the USA and if that's the best that American workers can produce this country is in bad shape! The things feel like a coffe grinder!

sure seems like the last 2 high end daiwas and a high end quantum all made in china... makes me sick.. when I pay $150 for a reel I wanna see at the least made in Japan or Korea.

Just picked up a Penn 420SS today...it says made in USA right on the reel seat....I was having a hard time finding anything fishing made in US, but my local shop went out of their way to find me something....I've got a 4'6" St Croix on the way....gonna load it with 4 lb Fireline (also made in USA)....look out fishies

I noticed a lot of newer spinning reels look like they are made in the same factory. Design elements are almost identical, with only minor styling variations.
I'm sticking with my old Mitchell 300's for now.

Try paying $900

Van Staal

ETA

If they keep the QC up , which Quantum and Daiwa still does.

Just because they are produced in China.
It doesn't make them any less of a reel.
In fact sometimes it's the opposite.

THIS!

I catfish with a buddy and we buy used old vintage Penn 209-309 level winds 25-50 bucks on ebay for big cats.

I've noticed quite a few Penn spinning reels $40.00-$150.00 depending on size condition,ect. 650.750. 6500,7500, ect,ect.

old penn stuff is good

U.S. reels ARE made in CHINA––––––––––––––––––––- NOT the USA! About $12.00 ea.

Are any Penns made in the US now?

Are any Penns made in the US now?

Only ones that have a $250 and higher price point are USA made.

Shimano

I think some of the Higher end Abu Garcia's are still made in Sweden.

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