Spinning Reels

[GaterB]

Does anybody have any advice on the best overall value spinning reel? Brands? Models? I'm looking to add a spinning combo to my arsenal for weightless worms, light jigs, and drop shot applications.

[MCS]

Best value imo is the Pflueger President. But any spinning reel from pflueger is a very durable and great reel. I love the two I have, I use my Pflueger Templar 35 size for weightless worms, texas rigged worms and creatures, flukes, senkos, lite jig heads. If I was buying one today under $100 I would get the purist. If you are looking for something in the 150 range, then your options open up, there are Daiwa and Shimano models, Abu Garcia Revo models spinning in addition to the Pflueger Supreme XT that are all great reels.

[LgMouthGambler]

Any Shimano reel around the $50 mark is going to plenty for bass fishing, no need to spend more.

[Jig Man]

I don't own any reels except Shimano so that is all I can speak about. I have Solstace, Sahara, Symmetry, and Stradic spinning reels. All of them do a good job for me. Most of my reels have been in service for 10 or more years and are still going strong. If I had to choose an all around reel that will do most anything and be dependable for a long time then I'd get the Symmetry.

What ever you choose, I suggest a 2500 size with a front drag for the best all around size and performance.

[jerzeeD]

Pflueger President is a good choice. Or you can go to FFO.com and buy a 2011 Pflueger Supreme. model new in the box for about 70 bucks shipped.

[BenB54]

I recently bought a Shimano Stradic CI4 and love it. But like LMG said, any around the $50 will work. I use the Sonora's on my micro rods for trout and they work great.

[cbass12]

The shimano sedona has been a great reel for me. Very affordable at around $50. I have 5 of them, 1 silver that is about 15 years old, 2 of the old gold ones and two of the newer ones. Also check out cabelas, they have a sale right now on the Shimano Sahara for $44.99. I have 3 of them and have no complaints.

[roadwarrior]

Any Shimano reel around the $50 mark is going to plenty for bass fishing, no need to spend more.

I think the next step up is a better value. The Symetre is what I would recommend.

[Bankbeater]

Another vote for the president.

[Fishes in trees]

I don't think that top quality in a spinning reel is as important as it is in a bait caster. All of my spinning reels are towards the lower end in cost, but decent quality and I can honestly say that I've never lost a fish because of a reel failure.

I've got a few of the Spirex models which were around $60 each. I've got a few Diawa reels - a Regal Z model which I got on sale at Dicks around 2005 for $40 each. I've got a few of the US Reels - Supercasters at around $40 each. The wide spool supercasters work great with braid and come with an arbor so that it doesn't take that much braid to fill them up. My tournament jerkbait reel is a 240 size Supercaster with 14 lb Fireline.

I'm rambling and I don't need to be. My point is that, in my experiences, spending alot of money on spinning reels isn't necessary. I've been to the fishing tackle store and played with them, but I can't justify the expense. As spinning equipment goes, I think the rod is far more important to your overall success than the reel is.

[JunkYard814]

President for me. I have two of them.

[SirSnookalot]

If it's Shimano for freshwater, probably the sahara or symetre, saltwater nothing less than a stradic. For me it boils down to feel on the rod whichever brand or model I buy.

[roadwarrior]

I don't think that top quality in a spinning reel is as important as it is in a bait caster. All of my spinning reels are towards the lower end in cost, but decent quality and I can honestly say that I've never lost a fish because of a reel failure.

I've got a few of the Spirex models which were around $60 each. I've got a few Diawa reels - a Regal Z model which I got on sale at Dicks around 2005 for $40 each. I've got a few of the US Reels - Supercasters at around $40 each. The wide spool supercasters work great with braid and come with an arbor so that it doesn't take that much braid to fill them up. My tournament jerkbait reel is a 240 size Supercaster with 14 lb Fireline.

I'm rambling and I don't need to be. My point is that, in my experiences, spending alot of money on spinning reels isn't necessary. I've been to the fishing tackle store and played with them, but I can't justify the expense. As spinning equipment goes, I think the rod is far more important to your overall success than the reel is.

Well, I know a lot of bass fishermen that consider spinning gear an afterthought, just something they rarely use. For those of us

that use spinning tackle extensively, the quality of the reel directly impacts performance. I use spinning tackle most of the time

fishing for smallmouth on the Tennessee River. We have the potential of hooking up with the next World Record. For me that

requires gear at least as sophisticated as any baitcasting equipment I own.

[Bluebasser86]

For overall performance and value it's pretty hard to beat a Shimano Symetre imo. The Pfluegar President is a very good reel for the money but it just does not feel as smooth and solid as the Symetre. I love fishing spinning gear and spend a lot of time with one in my hand fishing finesse baits when I need my reel to perform perfectly or I may miss a light biting smallie in 40' of water or lose a monster because my drag stuck. A lot of guys I fish with use the cheapest spinning reels they can get away with because they feel spinning gear is for "beginners" and something they only use as a last resort but I've seen lots of big fish lost because their cheap gear malfunctioned on them.

[SirSnookalot]

I fish spinning tackle exclusively both in freshwater and saltwater, I have caught nearly every popular North American species. As many feel lesser quality reels perform more than adequate for their needs, however better quality reels should provide more durability over the long term, question is do they really. Quite a few people have had their spinning reels quite a few years with a cost of less than $100, with minimal or no problems, not a bad way go to just to replace that reel every 3 or 4 years. Your stella would have to last about 18 years to be as cost effective, not to mention living with older technology for nearly 2 decades, but it still works. Ideally would be buying a new stella ever few years if it's in one's budget.

Should the target species have a bearing on the quality of the reel? IMO absolutely ! It's one thing to land a species that may battle 60 seconds or so and pull out a few yards of drag, entirely a different issue when battling one that strips out tons of line and can take 5-10 or 20 minutes to land. The Jack Crevelle in my avatar is probably about the same size as nice smallmouth, I can assure a fish like this will won't be landed in 60 seconds or less even using a bit heavier reel, for these kinds of fish I do use a better quality reel (and they still break down), for freshwater bass I don't think it's necessary, my top price would be $100.

[NorcalBassin]

I "2nd" the Symetre... unbelievable all the features on the new version (including X-ship). If you want to spend just a little less, the Sahara is a heck of a work horse.

[bassandcats]

Pflueger president. Just got one for christmas and its super smooth and a great price. I got one of the smaller sizes for senkos, flukes, and shakey heads. I also have some shimano siennas for saltwater that ive used many times and still work great. I cant justify spending 100+ on a spinning reel when there are many at or under 50+ that work just fine, plus if they break or eventually wear out there easy to replace.

[LgMouthGambler]

I know there is a nice Abu Cardinal spinner in the flea market

[thehooligan]

I only using spinning reels so im always eager to get my hands on high end reels to test them out. I get tired of hearing the same old saying, "buy high end baitcasters and just get a $50 dollar spinning reel" lol.  I finesse fish 100% of the time, thats what i like and enjoy so im going to have the best reel for the job.

 

I think the best budget reel you can buy is the stradic fj 1000/2500. Thats my workhorse reel i take when i dont mind it getting beatup in the boat or kayak. At around $135-140 its an awesome reel.

 

Next step up is the ci4, i have the 2500, at 7ozs its superlight, i love this reel just wish it had the x-ship. This year i went above the budget a bit and got the sustain 1000. At 6.5ozs, super smoooth and has x-ship its my favorite reel ive ever used before. Its a $330 reel i found for $230 on ebay.

 

My last reel i use is my daiwa fuego 1000a. 6.5ozs, its very light and smooth, i love to use it for dropshot and other finesse plastics. This is a $300 dollar reel that i got for $100 at the TW Sale this year.

 

When i got back into fishing a few years back first two reels i bought was a sedona 500 and sahara 2500 which i still have. For lower end reels there great and still really smooth. But like anything i love to upgrade and find the stradic is a really good happy medium, thats what id recommend to anyone.

 

Pfuegers are nice but i prefer shimano/daiwa....

[Lunker7]

Not much of a spinning guy, but some of the cheaper Shimanos, like the Symetre, or the Pflueger president are good.

[GaterB]

Thanks for all the info everybody!

[Trackick9707]

Any Shimano in the 50+ range is gonna be a solid reel.  Over the years I've found that Abu Garcia is the best bang for the buck.  They're smooth and they last forever.  I've never had good luck with quantum reels, but i've never put the money into the expensive ones.

[flippin and pitchin]

I agree with Kent 100%. Spinning is about 40% of my fishing and smallmouth require a good solid reel with a consistent drag. My investment in spinning gear comes close to matching baitcast equipment as far as outfit to outfit goes. Don't skimp.