Spinning Reels

[BassCats]

Most of the post on spinning reels are what should I get. Well I don't want that, I want to know what the different features on spinning reels matter and what the different technology on them is. I want a class on spinning reels. Don't just say buy ____ brand, give reason as to technology and features.

 

This will help everybody decide on what they want or need better than just telling them to buy _____brand.  

[The Rooster]

I'm in the Shimano camp for spinning reels at the moment because I bought a Symetre 2500 FJ two years ago and since then my line twist problems have virtually disappeared. Granted, I also started using KVD L&L at the same time so it could be a combination of this and the reel design. Regardless, prior to this I've had a lot of others but line twist issues were bad with them.

Also, the spool lip design is supposed to help increase cast distance, and in my experience it does. I can see a visible increase in distance. Aside from all that, the smoothness of this reel has exceeded all the others I've owned before. It's just a pleasure to use and feels solid under the weight of a fighting fish, and the drag pays out smoothly as well with no jerky stop/starts to risk losing a fish. Add all this to the history of the reel with many owners being well satisfied with theirs, and you're pretty well assured of quality when you buy one.

[thehooligan]

I only use shimano spinning reels for a few reasons.

 

1. Excellent line management

2. Very light

3. x-ship

4. 6:0:1 gearing

 

That pretty much sums it up for me, i had a daiwa fuego which was also a great reel, only problem was the gearing was two slow for me. 

[Capt.Bob]

I use Shimano spinning gear exclusively because it is the most durable equipment I have found in spinning gear. I ran a charter service on Lake Erie, I furnished my clients, Symetre reels and Bionic Blade BP rods. Most were surprised at the quality of the rods as well as the reels. I did this because brand A that I had used before didn't hold up as well, and resale sucked! "NO OTHER SPINNING REEL HOLDS ITS RESALE VALUE LIKE THE BETTER SHIMANO'S'  (Stradic, Sustain, Symetre, Saros) PERIOD! 

 

My Personal reels are all Stradic's and Sustain's, I sell them and upgrade every 3 to 5 years, I keep them tuned and serviced, and when I sell them I usually get within 10 to 20 dollars of what the new models cost me, and their condition is as good mechanically as when I bought them! I have actually sold reels that I used for 3 or 4 years for within 5 bucks of what I paid for them new when I bought them. This is because they hold up that good. I have never had one fail me, and I usually fish very light for the application and run the heaviest lines and drag tension these reels are made for, They work! I think the Stradics are the best Buy on the planet!! in any configuration they are available in, I also think the Stradic's hold their value the best of any reel made. regardless of type!  

[Darren.]

Hard to argue with the above posts.

 

I went with the Stradic because of the spool lip design (less line twist), and reputation, and brand resale value.

 

That said, I've been eyeing Daiwa's specs of late though I'm not in the market. I like the Air Rotor design, mechanically makes a lot of sense. They also have the Twistbuster tech, which sounds similar to what my Stradic FI has.

 

I am not so sure the anti-twist tech is as necessary when one spools with braid for mainline, though. Could be wrong there.

[OkobojiEagle]

bearing supported line guide roller and bearing supported multi-disc drag system... metal frame and spool.

 

oe

[BassCats]

thats a great video, thanks roadwarrior. Anyone else have any videos or any thoughts on what it is that makes a spinning reel better than another?  

[The Rooster]

Contrary to what a lot say, and regardless of even my own experience, I like more bearings in a reel. I've seen people say they thought extra bearings in reels were wasted and at least one guy wouldn't buy one for that reason but that's ridiculous. Build a reel solidly, preferably with an aluminum frame, solid gears, tight tolerances, and then put bearings in more than just the most required places. That's my take. My Shimano reel is smooth as butter but who can deny that having bearings in places as mundane as just in the handle knob can increase smoothness, or at the very least, prevent wear? My current Shimano reel just has 5 bearings but I would have preferred 10. And as much of a Shimano guy as I am right now, the best built spinning reel design I ever did see was the Abu Garcia Soron STX. Everything on that thing was metal, and it had 11 bearings. They stopped making it, of course.

[MichiganFishing1997]

I swear by Shimano when it comes to my reels.  I have never had any mechanical issues, whether it was on the high or low end of the price spectrum.  They are also built with high standards and durability.  I just got my Sahara and i like the fact that you are able to add washers to adjust line management on the spool, depending on what line you are using.  

[katmandew]

Add me to the "Shimano Only" crowd when it comes to spinning reels.  They just feel smoother and last longer.

[roadwarrior]

Any reel in that price range should be compared to the Stella 2500FE.

It's like holding kitty cat in the palm of your hand.

 

http://fish.shimano.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/index/products/reels/spinning/Stella_FE.html

 

 

 

[Capt.Bob]

at almost 12oz. I'll take the Stella, the Stella would be almost as good as "a mouth full of ______ and a hand full of ______", the Van Staal isn't in either one of those classes!!