Brand loyalty (reels)

[Nick S]

The only reels I'm loyal to are my daiwa ss 1300's. The only reels that have never let me down. 

 

 

[gulfcaptain]

Fished them all and come down to well mainly two brands with some BPS reels thrown in there I enjoy using (carbonlites and older Extremes).  So I stick with Quantum and the *** reels we are not allowed to mention by name.  

[ColdSVT]

I have 9 Shimano bait casters and 1 Lews.

All 4 of my spinning reels are also shimano.

 

Now that being said I do own a lews tourny pro and that is one d**n fine reel! I used to have a revo stx that I loved as well...that reel lived in about 50ft of water now...may she rest in peace with the Loomis Imx she is mounted rip...

[papajoe222]

The majority of reels I own are Daiwas.  They are easy and simple to maintain as the majority of them are assembled similar. The feel in my hand is close from one model to another and some of the parts are also interchangeable between models.

[kickerfish1]

100% Shimano and Daiwa. Sold all others reels off and couldn't be more happy. Everything else is pretty much manufactured the same and the quality isn't as good IMO. 

[Molay1292]

In my opinion only, all roads lead to Daiwa and Shimano, just depends on how long you hold out and how much money you want to spend before you get there.

 

 

[Jeff H]

I guess sort of, but not really a rabid brand loyal type like some.  Am very happy with my Daiwa's though and while most are quite old they still suit me just how I want. 

[Brayberry]

For me, all my Spinning Reels are the Pflueger President Limited Ediions, For Baitcasting, it's Revo's

[ww2farmer]

12 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

Well, that is a terrible experience and I would be mad, too! However, my experience has been quite the opposite.

Over the past few years I have acquired several Pinnacle reels which have both impressed me initially and held up well. Still, the bulk of my gear remains Shimano (17-3). 

 

That's why I don't go out of my way to say anything bad about them. I am 100% sure my exp. was the exception and not the rule. I know guys who have had a terrible time with Pure Fishing's (Abu, Fenwick, Berkley, etc...) customer service but all my exp with them have been more than fantastic.

[Bluebasser86]

I have Shimano, Lew's, Abu, Pfluegar, Pinnacle, H2O, Daiwa, and Okuma, so I guess you could say I'm pretty brand loyal 

[*Hootie]

6 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I have Shimano, Lew's, Abu, Pfluegar, Pinnacle, H2O, Daiwa, and Okuma, so I guess you could say I'm pretty brand loyal 

Chex "Party Mix"....lol. 

Hootie

[desmobob]

On March 18, 2016 at 10:10 PM, Western-Mass-Bass said:

Are any of you anglers out there brand loyal to your reels? As far as baitcasters anyway. I currently have 4 revo models that I use and was curious if Im missing out on some other cool stuff out there like diawa, shimano etc.   The competition and technology must be close so these brands can remain in the top of there market....... Right?

If you don't try different reels, you'll never know if YOU would prefer another brand.  Everyone has their personal preference... the more reels you try, the better the chances you'll find one you really love!

Tight lines,

Bob

[*Hootie]

14 minutes ago, desmobob said:

If you don't try different reels, you'll never know if YOU would prefer another brand.  Everyone has their personal preference... the more reels you try, the better the chances you'll find one you really love!

Tight lines,

Bob

Excellent point. Now, I guess I need to buy a few more reels....lol.

Hootie

[bowhunter63]

Really like Lews,There all i get anymore.Cant have enough

[FloridaFishinFool]

Nope. Not brand loyal. No reason to be brand loyal.

Why limit myself?

I've been repairing, modifying, and upgrading reels for close to 35 years. I can not choose to repair or work on just one brand, so I see them all. Over time I buy what I like regardless of brand name. Brand name means absolutely zilch to me.

How many people care about the brand name of a hammer or a crescent wrench or hex keys we use on a regular basis? My point is these are tools to do a job. Reels are the same for me. Just a tool.

So in my collection of rods and reels is just about every modern brand name made. Rods and reels come and go on a regular basis. I have now gotten rid of all my older Mitchell spinning reels and all of my 1980's and 1990's Shimano Bantam reels too as I am trying to modernize to an all new level for me.

I have yet to buy a lew's but it is on my radar for this year.

Regardless of brand, I use what works for me. Simple as that.

[0119]

11 hours ago, Molay1292 said:

In my opinion only, all roads lead to Daiwa and Shimano, just depends on how long you hold out and how much money you want to spend before you get there.

 

 

Been there, walked it for years......until I needed parts and a non smart alec on the phone.  Happy I'm off that road

2 hours ago, FloridaFishinFool said:

Rods and reels come and go on a regular basis.

Thats too bad for us as consumers.  I expect a pistol I use for defense, a shotgun I use for hunting and the knives I have in my pocket to last my life and then into my kids. They are going to cherish them just as I cherish those things that were my fathers.  Too bad we can't see that and demand it in our fishing equipment.  

[new2BC4bass]

On 03/19/2016 at 11:01 AM, robster80 said:

Shimano for me. .ive tried Lews and couple others but they did nothing for me... i did have a tatula i sold recently (just too big of a reel) and just picked up an OG Zillion so we'll see how it does 

I've never compared my Tatulas and Zillions side by side, but imagine you won't like the Zillion if you didn't like the Tatula.  My 50th Anniversary is one of my favorites.  I am not fussy when it comes to reels.  Some might even call me clueless. 

[robster80]

1 hour ago, new2BC4bass said:

I've never compared my Tatulas and Zillions side by side, but imagine you won't like the Zillion if you didn't like the Tatula.  My 50th Anniversary is one of my favorites.  I am not fussy when it comes to reels.  Some might even call me clueless. 

im talkin about the older zillion. mine hasnt come in yet but i put one on a rod at the tackle shop and palming was much better for me than the tatula was. if  really liked how it felt.   if i do end up not liking it after fishing it a bit youll c it in the classifieds.  if i didnt have afew extra reels with no rod id consider trying one of the tatula CT

[ibobpeb]

Shishamo and my barbie combos.

[HookdUP]

I fish the three Cs Curado chronarch and core ... And now metanium 

[Maxximus Redneckus]

I collect abu round reels and use them the most.im not really brand loyal when it comes to fishing.

[Cgrinder]

New Shimanos and old Daiwas.

[Nick S]

11 hours ago, 0119 said:

Thats too bad for us as consumers.  I expect a pistol I use for defense, a shotgun I use for hunting and the knives I have in my pocket to last my life and then into my kids. They are going to cherish them just as I cherish those things that were my fathers.  Too bad we can't see that and demand it in our fishing equipment.  

This is the best post I've ever read regarding reels. This is also the reason I will never be loyal to a reel manufacturer, because none of them make reels that are built to last if you use them regularly . The only reels that will still be around after I'm gone are my old Mitchells, abu's, and my daiwa ss1300's. 

[Chance_Taker4]

Most of my reels WERE Revos. Then I tried 13 and switched a majority of luv reels to13. But lately I have dabeled in Quantum and think I am going to switch over to Quantum. The Exo is my all time favorite reel. I can't wait till the next gen is released. The gen 2 smoke are extremely under rated. I love the Accurist at $99 and the team KVD sub $99. At this point my Arsenal is 13 and Quantum only. And When I need reels Quantum it's the first place I'll look then to 13.

On 3/20/2016 at 11:35 PM, Molay1292 said:

In my opinion only, all roads lead to Daiwa and Shimano, just depends on how long you hold out and how much money you want to spend before you get there.

 

 

I personally cannot agree with this. My least favorite reels I've used have been. Daiwa Lexa, Tatula and Shimano Caenan and Citica E. My all time favorite is the Quantum Exo and Revo STX.

[desmobob]

17 hours ago, *Hootie said:

Excellent point. Now, I guess I need to buy a few more reels....lol.

Hootie

That may have been the tackle monkey speaking through my body...  "the more reels you try, the better the chances you'll; find one your really love."  It also may be me justifying my reel-buying.  :-)

 

16 hours ago, FloridaFishinFool said:

How many people care about the brand name of a hammer or a crescent wrench or hex keys we use on a regular basis? My point is these are tools to do a job. Reels are the same for me. Just a tool.

Are you serious?  I think anyone that uses tools on a regular basis cares a lot about the brand name.  I care about the brands of the tools I use on a regular basis and know that my Estwing hammers, Proto adjustable wrenches and Bohdhus hex wrenches are quality tools that will serve me well.  Brand is the way you recognize quality after you find it, so that you'll be able to find it again.  

I love fishing and care about the quality and performance of my gear.  When I try a brand and it proves to have excellent quality and performance, I'll buy it again in the future.  That's why I've made repeat purchases on four different brands of reels... we're blessed with some great choices!

Tight lines,

Bob