Opinions On Some Cheaper Spinning Reels Wanted.

[RF813]

I am looking around for a friend of mine. He'll definitely be more of a weekend angler, and probably head out only a handful of times with me, and then some with his girls. That being said, i'm sure he's not looking to break the bank on gear.  He's looking between $30 - $50. I was looking around at Dick's Sporting goods, and saw 2 I thought would be a good fit for him.  Pfleuger Trion Size 30  & an Abu Garcia Cardinal SX size 20   (they both looked to be the same size, comparitively (I wish sizes were standard).....Both come in around $40.

 

But they felt smooth, reviews were decent on both.  Does anyone have any experience on either of these? 

[MacP]

Pflueger all the way.  In fact unless you're going to spend over $150 on a spinning reel, you should buy Pfluegers.

[ak47soulja22]

Pflueger vote here. I have the trion 20 and it is a pretty good little reel. I believe mine came with an extra spool. It's smooth and has enough power for most of the fish you will likely to run into.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The Pflueger spinning reels are a good bang for the buck. If you can push the budget another $15 the President is worth the jump from the Trion. 

[Wbeadlescomb]

I like the 30-40 shimano spinning reel. Sonora Sahara or something like that

[jbw252]

The Pflueger spinning reels are a good bang for the buck. If you can push the budget another $15 the President is worth the jump from the Trion. 

Good advice. Love my Pflueger President 6735.

[RF813]

Good advice. Love my Pflueger President 6735.

 That's what i'd recommend if he wants to push it a bit, (I have 2 presidents)  but really just guiding him to base / entry level for someone that won't be too serious about it.

[michang5]

I've personally owned a Sedona (which is out of the price range, I know). I had issues with it, paid for repairs, then attempted self-repair, and ultimately trashed it. A friend if mine got a Sienna recently and has already had issues with the bail and drag. In shop now.

I really love some aspects of my Stradic 1000fi (purchased second-hand, MSRP is way out of the budget) and really like it overall. Did have to send it to local repair shop for bail tweaking.

Point is... If/when the time comes again, I likely wouldn't buy another Shimano -- especially low-end -- without concern.

Since you mentioned shopping at DSG, I would recommend the Okuma Stratus 2500. It's a little heavier than a comparable Sedona, but has been MUCH more durable and reliable. Has caught me many good fish. And haven't done anything with it since October other than wiping it down.

[MCS]

Got three pfluegers and hear the trion is just as good. Had cardinals too, but not to savvy on the new ones. I think you can't go wrong with a trion or president

[masterbass]

I have the president and trion.  The president is better, but I like the trion almost as much and it gets used a lot.

[Hyrule Bass]

i think both would be fair combos. i have a trion and a cardinal that have served me well, never a single problem with either one. i do have the older models that were out before the new ones you see now. in fact, i just bought my mom a cardinal rod and reel combo from wal-mart for $30. the rod is a 6'6 medium i believe.

 

i would say both reels you listed would do the job, take your friend with you and let him pick the one that feels best to him.

[RF813]

Red, that's absolutely what i'll do..  But it sounds like the Trion is the clearn winner here...

 

THANK YOU to all who too kthe time to lend a hand.  As always, it's appreciated.

[motodmast]

Pfleuger president is a great reel. I have several $250 rods, the reels that i have on them? $59.99 Pfleuger Presidents.

 

there great reels an i REALLY recommend one!

[ww2farmer]

I have fished sub $100 spinning reels from Daiwa, Shimano, Abu, and Pflueger. Pflueger is my choice, flip a coin between the rest.

[jignfule]

I own 7 higher end  Shimanos and one Pfueger President. For the $ the Pflueger is hard to beat.

[TiNuts]

I've never owned a pflueger, but I have a few abu cardinal Ss and they're junk. They felt pretty decent out of the package, I was impressed actually, but a year later they are crap. After cleaning and lubing them they feel better, but still not as they did new. I doubt the SX is much different. I would go with the pflueger or spend a little more money and get a Sedona. I've had one for a couple months now and much nicer than the Abus for not a ton more money.

[iceintheveins]

Pflueger all the way, go with the president. I have five of them.

[Raul]

I am a Shimano die hard fan, my favorite reels and take in consideration that I own high end Daiwas is the Shimano Chronarch 50 Mg, but when it comes to spinning reels, and I own Shimanos too, Daiwa gets my vote, even low end Daiwa spinning reels are super nice. ( There used to be a time where theyweren´t but nowdays things are different ).

[wisconsin heat]

I've never owned a pflueger, but I have a few abu cardinal Ss and they're junk. They felt pretty decent out of the package, I was impressed actually, but a year later they are crap. After cleaning and lubing them they feel better, but still not as they did new. I doubt the SX is much different.

 

Almost all of my spinning reels are the Abu Cardinal SX's. They are pretty smooth and a solid reel in my opinion. I've used them a lot some are 4 years old now, and still work good without any issues. I would recommend Abu Cardinals to anyone looking to get into fishing. But my buddy has a pflueger, and he really loves it. They're probably some of the best options out there for cheaper spinning reels and you wouldn't go wrong with either one.

[Knightiac]

I have a three year old S and two two year old SXs, I love them all. 

[iceintheveins]

Abu Garcia's entry level cardinals used to be great reels, the last couple models have not been nearly as good though. Shimano's quality has seemed to go down hill as well in Spinning reels, though I have only used the Sedonas and Saharas.

[Knightiac]

I have four spinning reels and two are SXs. I'm honestly about to switch out the other two for SXs as well. The price can't be beat at $40.

I like shelling out for nicer baitcasters like the two tourney pros I have but have always stuck around the $40 mark for spinning reels. The SXs are by far my favorite.

[SpencerLittle]

Daiwa crossfire 100% to me the best cheap spinning reel.

[bigbill]

I would suggest buying a combo it's a matched setup and cheaper than just a reel.

My best spinning reels so far are the okuma eixpitor, fin-nor, even the Wal-Mart quantum which have survived for years.

I just gave every family member a shimano spinning reel for Christmas. I had a chance to play with one before I wrapped it.

I was impressed with it. I got them all reels with bass rods.

[RF813]

Thanks for all the responses. We're all set now. He's leaning towars the Pflueger.