Best Spinning Reel For Me?

[Jraut98]

I have a med fast 6'6 st croix spinning rod and am looking for a reel to match it. I currently have pflueger president but the drag is a little to weak for what I need. I use the rod for just about anything from perch largemouth catfish and even striped bass so I need a reel that can handle this if possible. Lastly I don't want to spend more than about 130 bucks.

[Darren.]

I have a med fast 6'6 st croix spinning rod and am looking for a reel to match it. I currently have pflueger president but the drag is a little to weak for what I need. I use the rod for just about anything from perch largemouth catfish and even striped bass so I need a reel that can handle this if possible. Lastly I don't want to spend more than about 130 bucks.

 

Are you close to a Bass Pro, Cabelas, or other 

sporting goods store? If so, take your rod in and 

try out several reels in your price range - on your 

rod.

 

Obviously a question like this can start a fan-club 

war. So you already have experience with Pflueger.

If you want to try another brand, you can definitely 

look at the Diawa Lexa in 2000 - 2500 size. I have 

a 2000 and love it. 

 

Also have a couple of Shimano Stradics, but those 

are out of your stated range. Shimano makes the 

Saros, which is at the top of your range. A very good 

reel.

 

So Pflueger, Daiwa, Shimano are all good, solid reels. 

Okuma makes some good stuff. You may find one that 

feels perfect in your hands when you try different brands 

on your rod in-store. 

[timsford]

I fish for the same species with a lews team gold spinning reel in the 300 size. It weighs 7.4 ounces, hold 140 yards of 10 lb mono, and has a very smooth 15 lb max drag. I was worried at first about the carbon frame because of the stripers, but ive never felt the frame flex even with 10+ lbers. I think you would be very pleased with the lews

[SirSnookalot]

Med fast rod but what's the power and what size Pflueger reel?  Without knowing what you already have it's possible you have the right size reel for the rod you are using.  I wouldn't be surprised if what you need for larger fish is a  beefier rod as well as a reel.  

Don't be misled by the max drag of a reel as the drag is set to the line. 15# of drag for example is of no significant advantage over a reel with say 10#, your drag probably won't be set  any higher than about 4# or so. For bigger fish a reel with a larger spool for better line management may work better, line capacity never hurts.  Whether I've spent $75 or $200 I've yet to see a reel with a bad drag @ $130 there is a vast number of reels that will perform beautifully.  It's all about how it feels on your rod and if it's pleasing to your eye.

I own quite a few smaller spinning reels of various brands, there isn't one of them that I don't catch 10# fish on, all are going strong for 5+ years.  It's harder to buy a bad spinning reel then a good one.

[Jraut98]

It's a medium action

[Jraut98]

I believe the drag on my old reel is like 9Ibs

[jbw252]

Med fast rod but what's the power and what size Pflueger reel?  Without knowing what you already have it's possible you have the right size reel for the rod you are using.  I wouldn't be surprised if what you need for larger fish is a  beefier rod as well as a reel.  

Don't be misled by the max drag of a reel as the drag is set to the line. 15# of drag for example is of no significant advantage over a reel with say 10#, your drag probably won't be set  any higher than about 4# or so. For bigger fish a reel with a larger spool for better line management may work better, line capacity never hurts.  Whether I've spent $75 or $200 I've yet to see a reel with a bad drag @ $130 there is a vast number of reels that will perform beautifully.  It's all about how it feels on your rod and if it's pleasing to your eye.

I own quite a few smaller spinning reels of various brands, there isn't one of them that I don't catch 10# fish on, all are going strong for 5+ years.  It's harder to buy a bad spinning reel then a good one.

Sage advice from a guy with over 10,000 posts.  Thanks for posting.   I have several Pflueger reels and have no issues with the drag.  Great spinning reels for the money.

[DFrench97]

Sage advice from a guy with over 10,000 posts.  Thanks for posting.   I have several Pflueger reels and have no issues with the drag.  Great spinning reels for the money.

x2, I've used them for chinook salmon which scream drag and it holds up fine.

[OntarioFishingGuy]

Yep, my XT has held up to some huge boots.

[SirSnookalot]

9# of drag is a lot more than you think.  Tighten your drag down all the way, the  try and pull the line out by hand, it won't be easy.  I catch kingfish with an Avet max drag of 14#, never crank it down, the reel holds 300 yds of 20# mono, which is needed for a pelagic fish.  You do need to know the species you are dealing with, snook is my main target which isn't much different than a striper, the fish can get good sized but on average is less than 10#, good for 2 runs generally no more than 30 yards or so, which I probably exaggerated.  Pace of 120' and you'll see how far that really is.

IMO a mh rod with 4000 reel/20# braid is plenty to handle most fish you will encounter, bigger fish are landed with technique.

[Jraut98]

Changing the question forget what I have on the rod now. What would be a good reel for my rod and what size reel?

[Catch and Grease]

Just a random word of advice, id never fully crank down a reels drag. I don't believe its good for the reel, you can come close but I wouldn't ever max it out....

[smalljaw67]

A 6'6" medium power spinning rod with what I assume is a fast action would be the rod for a 2000-2500 size reel, a 3000 will work but the spool size will create a steep angle to the stripper guide on the rod so better choice is the 2000 or 2500.

[iceintheveins]

I have never had problems with pflueger drags.

[Tywithay]

A 6'6" medium power spinning rod with what I assume is a fast action would be the rod for a 2000-2500 size reel, a 3000 will work but the spool size will create a steep angle to the stripper guide on the rod so better choice is the 2000 or 2500.

Shimano 2500 and 3000 are the same diameter, the 3000 is just a touch deeper.

I'd look around for a nice used Stradic 2500FJ. It's a little powerhouse.

[Jraut98]

What's the FE mean just curious