Ford Vs. Chevy Question

[mtaag3]

I know there are always the "what are the best ____" questions and they're incessantly plagued with opinions from both bias an objective sources. So rather than start that same argument I'm looking more for a tier opinion.

I was on TW last night looking at reels and was curious if there are top, middle, and cheap or "avoid" reels. There are so many to choose from

Does it only come down to what features one likes? Or are there enough differences to objectively differentiate the brands/models?

Sorry if this is regurgitated but there are so many options I don't want to make a bad choice.

Thanks

[J Francho]

Any spinner around $120 will be decent.  Same for any baitcaster at about $150.  I personally stick with the bigger brand names.  I prefer reels made in Japan.  That can push you into the $200 price point, though.

[baluga]

What J said... and to sum it up...Go for Toyota instead of Ford.  They last longer.

[*Hootie]

Anytime there is a Ford or Chevy question, someone always suggests Toyota....lol

Hootie

[Siebert Outdoors]

Any spinner around $120 will be decent.  Same for any baitcaster at about $150.  I personally stick with the bigger brand names.  I prefer reels made in Japan.  That can push you into the $200 price point, though.

 

Same here.  A mid road BC  or Spinning real is a good real. 

[Arv]

I go with whatever I can find a good deal on, as long as its quality.

[South FLA]

For Baitcasters:

 

Hmm, you are always going to have brand loyal fans as you stated, but I can assure you that the magic price point for a "good" reel IMO is about $130 at retail price.  So, your looking at the Lew's Speed Tournament, Quantum Energy, Shimano Citica, Daiwa Lexa, Abu Garcia Revo S, etc. around that price point. After that it becomes a point of diminishing returns, I have very high end JDM reels and some lower tiered reels mentioned, but I can tell you that as long as you are above that magic price point or close to it if you can get one on sale below that price point then go for it . To me one of the best bang for the buck reels that you can sometimes pick up for a steal and I am impressed with smoothness and cast-ability, although a bit heavy is the Pfluegar Patriach.

[MCS]

Anytime there is a Ford or Chevy question, someone always suggests Toyota....lol

Hootie

 

Yeah but everyone forgets to mention all the recalls. LOL Honda and Toyota sell on PAST reputation browsing through one of these threads makes mention that this is occuring with some of the Japaneese reels

 

Go with what you like, looks and feels good, in your price range don't worry about the brand until you find what you like and stick with it.

[OkobojiEagle]

In a spinning reel I want a metal spool, multi-disc drag system, bearing supported roller guide, a rigid metal frame, and an easily accessible anti-reverse switch.

 

In bait casting reels features are more variable and subjective.

 

oe

[TNBassin']

I have an Okuma Trio spinning reel I got for $50. You can't tell me it isn't quality. Same goes for my Black Max. While I use all Revos now, that little reel is a tank.

[tritonguy]

Ford. Unless of course you intend to start a junk yard then go Toyota.  I use the Revo line of reels.

[The Rooster]

Between Ford and Chevy, I prefer Dodge, and y'all can have your Toyotas (got nuttin against 'em but also got nuttin for 'em either).

On reels, $130 - $150 is nice, does every thing you'll ever need in fishing, and also completely unnecessary to spend that much. For me, $100 is my target range, and if I need or want to go above it (the word need is used loosely here) then I will, but if I can score a reel for less that does the job to my standards then that's even better. One of the better reels out there right now is one you won't even find on Tackle Warehouse. It's the Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier, for $100 retail, sometimes as low as $70 on sale, and it compares in every way to a lot of $130 - $150 reels.

I won't argue what is or isn't a good reel as far as specific models, but I will tell you that you'll be worlds ahead to make sure you buy a baitcaster with a metal frame. Aluminum is the most common metal, but there are others. Once you identify a few metal framed reels in your price range, then check around for reputation or any known problems in specific models. That gives you a rough idea what's good and what isn't. Getting hung up in other details such as how many bearings they have or how many pounds of drag they have isn't as necessary to do with black bass fishing reels, but I'm not saying don't go there. I did, and still do, but it's a personal thing for me. I want bearings in specific locations, or at least the ability to buy and add them if they aren't there now. That's just my thing. I turn 7 bearing reels into 9 bearing models, or more if they'll take it, but it fishes just fine with 7 anyway. On drag, any reel with 10 pounds is fine. A Revo with 20+ pounds of drag might be awesome, and maybe needed for some fishing, like striper fishing, but in largemouth bass fishing you can get by with a lot less. Most reputable reels have plenty of drag even if they're several pounds apart from other reels.

I also pay attention to the different ratios of line intake depending on what I'm throwing with the reel. Inches per turn is what to look at, not just the raw ratio number. One reel's 6.4:1 might not be the same as another's.

Also overall weight is an issue for some. I like reels in the 7 ounce range, but also don't mind 9 ounce weighted reels either. Getting up to 10 ounces is getting a little heavy, for me. I also don't like a featherweight reel either. 5 and 6 ounce reels feel fragile to me. They probably aren't, but I don't care. They're usually very expensive anyway so it's a non issue for me. The Carbonlite from Bass Pro might be an exception, but to me it's ugly so it's not even considered anyway. That's another thing I watch. Ugliness is not a feature I want to pay for in a reel. Totally personal there, but I wouldn't fish with an ugly reel if I got it for free, so I definitely ain't payin' for it!

[Flukeman]

I have had a lot of vehicles. I have had 4 Toyota's, the one with the least amount of miles was 296,000. Other than oil changes, tires, and brakes I replaced two batteries and one timing belt. None of my american made cars did so well. I also got a nice chunk of change when I sold the Toyota's.

as for reels the $130 price point seems to be the magic number. the one exception for me would be the BPS Pro Qualifier that can be had on sale at $79. Now a days, no matter what your budget, you can find a decent reel.