Spinning Reels $150-$200 Range

[jchez444]

Hey guys im looking for a good spinning reel in the $150-$200 range. reel will be used a lot and fished with shakyheads, dropshots, wacky rigs and paired with a denali rosewood shakeyhead rod. Also the line used with be 8lb fluro. Here are some of the ones i been looking at:

*stradic fj2500

*stradic ci4 2500

*supreme xt magne(black and gold) 9230

*pflueger patriarch magnesium 9230 or 35 size

* new daiwa ballistic unsure size

 

Any opinions would be great

[clayton86]

I just picked up a Abu revo premier spinning for 200 both gander mountains I went to had em marked for 199.

[thehooligan]

Cant go wrong with either stradic...

[Megastink]

I own a Pflueger Supreme XT. Its light weight, has a great drag and is very smooth. Plus, it's attractive. Ive caught bass on it, and I throw 12# mono on it and head upstate NY for the Salmon run. I've caught dozens of salmon in the 10-30lb range. No sign of fatigue from this reel. You can get one for $120 on ebay right now from Big Fish Sports. Thats the route I would go!

[00 mod]

ci4 2500.  I have 2 and love them!

 

Jeff

[Hanover_Yakker]

Stradic FJ2500 for my money for daily use but if you were willing to spend the extra $35-45, then the Ci4 would be my choice..

[Darren.]

Stradic fan here, previous models, tho, the FI.

 

Probably most you list are good for what you want to do.

 

My thinking on what reels to buy hinges on whether it is capable of both fresh and saltwater (because I live in VA, I do take my boys on occasion to do some brackish water fishing, although I freshwater fish 95% of the time).

 

That said, I went the Shimano route. Now I'm also becoming a fan of Daiwa gear as well. Most every Shimano reel will indicate it is ok for both, and for the Daiwa's I've looked at, same thing.

 

That's not important to a lot of guys. Other things that went into my being a fan of Shimano were the feel of the reels. I did compare numerous reels side-by-side including Pflueger, and others. Shimano reels just *felt better* to me. Subjective, yeah, but true nonetheless.

 

And like I said, I'm becoming a big fan of Daiwa now. Got my eye on the Lexa spinning reels right now. Hoping my wife doesn't poke my eye out for looking, LOL.

[J Francho]

Pretty much ANYTHING in that range will be pretty solid.  I can't really think of anything to stay away from.

[Teal]

If you look hard enough you can find the stradic for less than 150...i did and i absolutley love it!!

[upnorthbassin]

I think the Supreme XT is a great reel. I especially like the 9230 size. It's the perfect size for most bass fishing and it's crazy light. Mine sitting next to shimano 2500 size reels make them look super bulky. I like the Shimanos too but I really like the XT. It balances great with these newer rods that are extremely lightweight also. The only thing I don't like that much is the eva knob. The shape of it is good and I like eva...but on the knob it's kind of odd.

[kickerfish1]

It would be hard to go wrong with the FJ. For a lighter reel the CI4 is one of the best options. A solid list of reels you have noted but I would say the stradic reels are bit better overall and built very well.

[Capt.Bob]

Stradic 2500 FJ Smoothest reel on the market and it only gets smoother under a load. Plus there bullet proof, and can be had for around $125.00 to $135.00 if you keep your eyes open and don't buy on instinct. I have 1000, 3000 w/2500 handle, and 4000, they are smoother than my older Sustains!

[CTGalloway21]

Abu Revo SX is pretty solid.  I use it, a Revo premier, and a Quantum Energy.  

[KYntucky Warmouth]

Any of those reels seem to be a good choice.  I have a Stradic CI4 2500 and a Pflueger Supreme XT 30.  I love both those reels and it's hard to choose my favorite between the two.  Honestly, my decision would be based on the rod and matching color schemes, my CI4 is on a Damiki Dark Angel and my Supreme is on a Pinnacle Perfecta, both match pretty good.  I see you are pairing it with a Denali Rosewood so I would say the Stradic CI4.  I think, asthetically, it would look pretty good together.

[00 mod]

Any of those reels seem to be a good choice.  I have a Stradic CI4 2500 and a Pflueger Supreme XT 30.  I love both those reels and it's hard to choose my favorite between the two.  Honestly, my decision would be based on the rod and matching color schemes, my CI4 is on a Damiki Dark Angel and my Supreme is on a Pinnacle Perfecta, both match pretty good.  I see you are pairing it with a Denali Rosewood so I would say the Stradic CI4.  I think, asthetically, it would look pretty good together.

 

 

Don't know which Perfecta you have, but if it is the 70mlf, that 2500 ci4 is a match made in heaven!  I have 2 now!

 

Jeff

[iabass8]

Pretty much ANYTHING in that range will be pretty solid.  I can't really think of anything to stay away from.

x2.  i've used 3 of the 4. all good reels.

[SudburyBasser]

Good stuff. For the first time in my life I'm getting a substantial tax refund and wanted to upgrade the reel I use for my finese. I think you boys just convinced me to buy a CI4 or Stradic FJ to put on the Shimano Compre rod I use for that.

[jerzeeD]

One vote here for the Pflueger Patriarch. Love mine. Light and butter smootg.

[skeletor6]

It would be hard to go wrong with the FJ. For a lighter reel the CI4 is one of the best options. A solid list of reels you have noted but I would say the stradic reels are bit better overall and built very well.

Second this. The fj is a great reel. May be getting 2 of them soon. Only reason to choose the ci4 over the fj is for weight savings and looks if you prefer that.

[SirSnookalot]

Pretty much ANYTHING in that range will be pretty solid.  I can't really think of anything to stay away from.

I would agree 99.99%.  Of the reels I own up to $220, only 1 is a disappointment and I believe I just got a lemon as I've handled other peoples that were beautiful.  This thread is no different than others, nothing more than a popularity poll.  To declare 1 brand and model to be the "best" is walking thru life wearing blinders. I do not consider catching bass, perch or walleye to be used as the benchmark for longevity and performance of a reel.

[J Francho]

theHooligan is selling a sweet CI4 for $150 in the Flea Market.  If I was in the market, I'd be on it!

[00 mod]

theHooligan is selling a sweet CI4 for $150 in the Flea Market.  If I was in the market, I'd be on it!

 

 

x2!  One week to late!

 

Jeff

[jchez444]

I would agree 99.99%.  Of the reels I own up to $220, only 1 is a disappointment and I believe I just got a lemon as I've handled other peoples that were beautiful.  This thread is no different than others, nothing more than a popularity poll.  To declare 1 brand and model to be the "best" is walking thru life wearing blinders. I do not consider catching bass, perch or walleye to be used as the benchmark for longevity and performance of a reel.

Thank you, i just sent him a pm

[Capt.Bob]

 I do not consider catching bass, perch or walleye to be used as the benchmark for longevity and performance of a reel.

You would be correct if you use that same type of gear for all those types of fishing!   Bass perch and walleye??? Most would consider those three species right there to require no less than three different types and sizes of reels!! only a fool would use the size of equipment I use for walleye or perch to catch saltwater species with, unless you are going after pilchers!! and only a rookie would go after those same species (perch, Walleye, Bass) with the humongous reels that most use for salt water species. Your comments hold little use for this category of fishing. It is kind of like comparing a Mack truck to a real Bass Boat towing truck, can be done but most have more sense than to do it!! When you load a real that holds less than 100 yards. of line and is having the handle turned pulling lures for hours on end, it does require better material than hanging six ounces of weight 200 feet over the side of a gunnel or lobbing a heavy weight with live bait out on a huge sand flat to entice whatever comes buy, and really doesn't require the elegant and finesse that most advanced freshwater tactics do!! Like a drag that will remain butter smooth at 1 to 3 lbs. as well as 15 to 20 lbs. Totally different.

[Hi Salenity]

Another vote for the Patriarch!