Best Reel Warranty

[Lacustrine]

I am looking at getting a saltwater rod/reel combo. I have found a lot of rods such as st. croix that have outstanding CS, but I cannot find any reel company that has a warranty for more than a few years past the purchase date, and even if it does it is up to the discretion of the company if they will replace. I have found many fly fishing reels that have no questions asked warranties. Are there any that are a spinning reel? I am trying to keep my budget under $150, but any company that has a no questions asked warranty for their expensive reels will also honor their lower end reels as well.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Fly reels are way over priced and their mechanical simplicity limits liability. Any defects in material or assembly should be obvious within 12 months of use on a reel. 

[new2BC4bass]

The best reel warranty is you taking proper care of them.  Just busting your chops.    Like Mike said, if there is a manufacturing defect, it should show up within a reasonable amount of time.  Up to one day after the warranty runs out.    My main concern is being able to get parts for the reel 10 years or so down the road.  Personally speaking if a reel lasted me 10 years, then I'd feel I had gotten more than my money's worth and wouldn't mind paying for a repair if I still wanted to keep it.  I definitely wouldn't feel it was a company's responsibility to replace a reel that I wore out through years of fishing it.

[Lacustrine]

Thanks. Any recommendations on saltwater spinning reels around $100±?

[WRB]

Take a look at Okuma Helious series spinning reels, composite frame and made for salt water use.

Tom

[Lacustrine]

I'll check them out. Has anyone dealt with their CS? I'll probably never need it, but I like knowing that if I get a defective one (which with my luck I will) they will take care of it. That is why my binoculars are Vortex Optics. They will replace them no matter if you crush it with a hammer.

I also hear Academy makes some good reels. What brands do they own?

[Brian Needham]

Quote

 

the best warrantee is the one you never have to use honestly.

if you service your reels each year, or every other year, your chances of having issues are slim, but that's just me.

 

[blckshirt98]

All warranties on reels are pretty short, I'm assuming since they take the most wear and tear of any piece of gear.  The only "lifetime" warranty I've seen is on the older Van Staals, but even they went to a 1-year warranty on newer reels.

[0119]

On 3/10/2016 at 6:44 PM, Lacustrine said:

Thanks. Any recommendations on saltwater spinning reels around $100±?

Daiwa SS Tournament series.  Old style anti reverse that likely will never break but you can rebuild, lasts decades, smoothest drag in a spinner, casts better than most if not all "modern" spinners.  $119 at Bass Pro. Want a longer warranty splurge and pay for their 2 year free replacement plan at the register.  The SS is the reel more salty guides use in the keys than any other brand because its known for being bullet proof.  

[Poolshark]

For that price I second the diawa ss series. The trick to making your reels last in salt water is to keep them clean!!! They must be taken care of on regular basis. I own a penn ssv which has been great to me. I use it for snook and jacks here in s florida. I would recommend it. Finn nor and shimano make some good ones as well. 

[Lacustrine]

Thanks. i haven't looked at the Diawa SS yet. I am interested in the Penn Spinfisher V though. The Penn Clash is a bit high, but it also looks like a very good reel. 

[Poolshark]

42 minutes ago, Lacustrine said:

Thanks. i haven't looked at the Diawa SS yet. I am interested in the Penn Spinfisher V though. The Penn Clash is a bit high, but it also looks like a very good reel. 

I think the penn ssv is great, and I love using it. Its only downside being its weight. If you are using it for lure fishing it will be slightly fatiguing. If you are doing a lot of live bait fishing it is a very well built reel. The upside to the diawa ss is that they've built it for a loooonggg time, parts will probably be available for a long time as well. Just an extra thought for you to consider. 

[Further North]

On 3/10/2016 at 0:43 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Fly reels are way over priced and their mechanical simplicity limits liability.

Many are...but there are plenty of reasonably priced fly reels. especially if you do your due diligence and shop around,

But a few things are worth noting:

1. Development costs are spread out over a fraction of the number of sales.
2. Weight is important on a fly reel...even my heavy duty musky/pike reels weight less than 8 ounces.
3. Building durability - and a drag that works well on big fish -  into reels that light is a challenge...and they get booted around the deck of the boat just as much as any other reel.

I'd have to go out and count, but I'd guess I have 15 fly fishing rigs...of those, maybe three cost me - rod and reel - more than $250. I have a lot of bait-casting rigs that cost more than that.

[blckshirt98]

Sierra Trading Post seems to have a ton of fly rods/reels at a discount pretty often.  I don't think I could ever pay full price for what some of those fly rods/reels retail for.

[0119]

10 hours ago, Lacustrine said:

 i haven't looked at the Diawa SS yet. I am interested in the Penn Spinfisher V though. The Penn Clash is a bit high

I have the Spinfisher V. A heavyweight tank even in its smallest size. Strictly use it for pier fishing with bait.  I have 2 Clash's. Excellent lightweight, at least for saltwater use. Serious drag. Smooth internals. Ten times better than the new Stradic for the fact the user can open it up and not void the warranty.

[Lacustrine]

Thanks everyone!