Thinking About A New Spinning Reel

[cjam93]

Hey guys so lately I have been doing my finesse fishing (mainly wacky rig, small carolina rig, and shakey head) on a Shimano Compre dropshot rod. I have a Shimano Sienna 2500 reel on it. Now I am wondering if downsizing my reel would be a good idea. I am using 10lb braid. The combo feels pretty butt heavy because of the larger spinning reel. I know very little about spinning reels, so I would really appreciate any suggestions you may have for a reel that is $100 or less. Im looking for size as well as model and brand. Thanks guys!!

[tcbass]

Hey guys so lately I have been doing my finesse fishing (mainly wacky rig, small carolina rig, and shakey head) on a Shimano Compre dropshot rod. I have a Shimano Sienna 2500 reel on it. Now I am wondering if downsizing my reel would be a good idea. I am using 10lb braid. The combo feels pretty butt heavy because of the larger spinning reel. I know very little about spinning reels, so I would really appreciate any suggestions you may have for a reel that is $100 or less. Im looking for size as well as model and brand. Thanks guys!!

It's more than $100 but I think you could get a Shimano Stradic Ci4+ 1000 size for like $160. They are incredible. I was never a big reel guy but I won't buy any other spinning reel that isn't a Ci4+ now. I returned a new Shimano FJ to get another Ci4+.

[faygo1979]

I just bought a quantum smoke 15 from dicks sporting goods last week for 100 that i really like.  It is the first quantum i have had in years but if it holds up it may be my new favorite for this price range. 

[slimshad]

I have a few of the Johnny Morris series from Bass Pro and they are smoothhhhhhh.  Around $100

[bassin is addicting]

Pflueger Supreme.  i own 2 and never had a problem with either one...  best value imo.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Pflueger is hard to beat on a bang for the buck basis for spinning reels. The next experiment I'm planning is the Okuma RTX: $99 and 6.6 oz. 

[Darren.]

Hey guys so lately I have been doing my finesse fishing (mainly wacky rig, small carolina rig, and shakey head) on a Shimano Compre dropshot rod. I have a Shimano Sienna 2500 reel on it. Now I am wondering if downsizing my reel would be a good idea. I am using 10lb braid. The combo feels pretty butt heavy because of the larger spinning reel. I know very little about spinning reels, so I would really appreciate any suggestions you may have for a reel that is $100 or less. Im looking for size as well as model and brand. Thanks guys!!

 

I'm not in the "norm" of people who use 2500 size and above for bass fishing. I actually prefer 1000 size reels and have never had an issue with bass up to 7 pounds in all manner of situations. The 6.6 lber in my avatar was caught in slop, flooded bushes and trees with a Stradic 1000FI, 10lb braid, 10lb leader, FWIW.

 

That said, you can take your rod to a local Bass Pro (if you're near one - and perhaps other stores will let you do this, too) and try different reels on the rod until you find one that is comfortable and balanced to your liking.

 

I'm partial to Shimano reels, and I really like my Daiwa Lexa 2000. The Lexa is a bit heavier than I like, and I might've gone for the 1500 size instead. That reel can be had right around $100 online. Is an excellent reel for the money.

 

Good luck.

[jbw252]

Pflueger Supreme.  i own 2 and never had a problem with either one...  best value imo.

 

^^^^^^^^^^  Yes to Pflueger spinning reels.  I have a President 6735, a Supreme 9025XT, and a Supreme 8025MG.

[Fishes in trees]

If you are "thinking" about a new spinning reel, you might as well go ahead and buy it.  You can catch & control big fish on the smaller sizes of spinning reel - I've done it - not all the time, but I've done it.

(I don't catch big fish all the time, no matter what reel I'm using)

 

This reel purchase has already happened in your head, might as well make it a reality so that you can get on to your next gear purchase.

[cjam93]

Thanks for all the replies so far guys. I have narrowed it down to either a Pflueger Supreme or a Shimano Symetre FL. What would set either of these apart from the other? Also what would all of the pros and cons of going down to a smaller sized reel be? thanks again!

[slimshad]

Smaller real is lighter and more comfortable for me.  Plus in Indiana I really don't need a huge spool or heavy line.  makes sense to me to keep it as small as possible.  No cons for me... 

[bassin is addicting]

i agree with slimshad 100%.

[SirSnookalot]

If I were a mono user I'd pick the reel with the bigger spool for better line management, as far as performance.........toss a coin.

[slimshad]

i agree with slimshad 100%.

Wow thats a first... lol.  Only if I could get my wife to say that....

[Darren.]

Thanks for all the replies so far guys. I have narrowed it down to either a Pflueger Supreme or a Shimano Symetre FL. What would set either of these apart from the other? Also what would all of the pros and cons of going down to a smaller sized reel be? thanks again!

 

Take your pick between the reels. Just make sure YOU like the one you pick. We are all biased toward a particular brand, so just get what you like better.

 

As for pros/cons, I can't really give you a con because I have not found one *other than* the smaller reels tend to have much lighter drags. HOWEVER, I have *never* found that to be an issue. The extra drag you need is called your "hand" - put it on the spool to slow it dow

 

A huge pro is like what slimshad said, lighter, more comfy. Another pro comes with using braided mainline -- I use 10# Power Pro which has diameter of 2# mono. I get more than enough line on my 1000 reels than necessary.

[jbw252]

I'm sure you'll be happy with either of your choices.  Make sure you check out the reels in person & bring your rod with you to try them "paired" together.  Just a side note - the Pflueger reel sizing is not quite what you would expect.  They are smaller than the traditional reel series numbers go.  I found that they seem like this:

Pflueger Reel Sizing

the 025 is slightly bigger than 1000
030 is slightly bigger than a 2000
035 is slightly bigger than a 2500
040 is similar to a 3000-3500

[Djf3864]

I also grabbed a Quantum Smoke at Dicks on sale and love it.

[atcoha]

No Penn love?

I fish mostly saltwater, and all of my reels, big to small (3500-8500) are all penn. I do use my 3500 series reels for fresh water also.

Any reason you guys don't mention penn? Something I am missing?

Of all the penn reels I have owned, only 2 problems. One, and older graphite 4500, the anti reverse engagement broke, I beat that reel to death, I did buy a new penn battle last year 3500 for my boy, washers froze up, probably from him not keeping the reel out of the saltwater when wade fishing....4$ part and rebuilt it, good as new.

My old 8500 spin fisher has never been serviced, it's almost 20 yrs old, still pulling in those big bull reds off the bridges. 

The spin fisher v's are heavy, the battle's are a little lighter, not much, I bought a penn conflict 3500 a few months ago, light and reliable. For less that $100 worth every penny. 

[Darren.]

No Penn love?

I fish mostly saltwater, and all of my reels, big to small (3500-8500) are all penn. I do use my 3500 series reels for fresh water also.

Any reason you guys don't mention penn? Something I am missing?

Of all the penn reels I have owned, only 2 problems. One, and older graphite 4500, the anti reverse engagement broke, I beat that reel to death, I did buy a new penn battle last year 3500 for my boy, washers froze up, probably from him not keeping the reel out of the saltwater when wade fishing....4$ part and rebuilt it, good as new.

My old 8500 spin fisher has never been serviced, it's almost 20 yrs old, still pulling in those big bull reds off the bridges. 

The spin fisher v's are heavy, the battle's are a little lighter, not much, I bought a penn conflict 3500 a few months ago, light and reliable. For less that $100 worth every penny. 

 

Probably because Penn is primarily marketed to the salt water fisherman...

[The Fisher]

I have a 2500 Shimano Sahara that I love. Go to a bass pro and hold the Sahara and Symetre. I couldn't feel much difference. If you look at the specs on both at TW you'll see there isn't much difference. I've had it for about a year with no problems and zero line twists.

[SirSnookalot]

Probably because Penn is primarily marketed to the salt water fisherman...

This is absolutely the case, many freshwater fishermen have little or no experience with Penn.  Not advocating any brand IMO if a reel stands up to saltwater use it's going to be fine for freshwater.  I'd like to say that's how I choose my reels, but it isn't.  I'm not worried about performance or durability, my focus is on the comfort of rod and reel as a unit.  In saltwater we are using our rods and reels a bit differently, super light is not an overly important issue like it is in freshwater.  We make long flowing casts with reels anywhere from 10-20 oz. with no difficulty, freshwater casting does not lend itself to heavier reels, the emphasis more on balance.

[fishballer06]

I'll give a nod for the Symetre and Saros reels from Shimano. Both are great reels, and are around $100.

[timsford]

Pflueger is hard to beat on a bang for the buck basis for spinning reels. The next experiment I'm planning is the Okuma RTX: $99 and 6.6 oz.

They have the rtx on walmart.com for 60-70 bucks regularly. I was about to pull the trigger on one and got a good deal on a lews team gold spinning reel so i didnt get the rtx but it does look like a great value. The lews is awesome! Super smooth and not quite as light as the rtx but still pretty light. My 300 size lews weighs around 7 ounces. After trying it i picked up the tournament high speed spin and its just as nice and only a touch heavier. The 300 size of those only weighs 8 oz or so. Not usually one to brand push but im extremely pleased with the lews

[bigbill]

I use mainly okuma expoitor, and fin-nor spinning reels.

I tried the US REEL SUPERCASTERS and found them really noisy. The gear mesh noise is really bad. There brand new too. They do cast far with ease. I just won't use them on any moving lures.

[sofarfrome]

Pflueger Supreme.  i own 2 and never had a problem with either one...  best value imo.

 ^^^ X2