Favorite spinning reel under $130?

[joelhains]

Looking to pick up a couple new spinning reels. I've always used Shimano but decided I want to try a couple other brands. Looking at Pflueger, Okuma, Daiwa and Lews. What is your favorite reel for under $130? I'll be using them on 7ft medium and medium light rods mostly for hopping tubes for smallies and soft jerkbaits.

[new2BC4bass]

I don't think you can find them near that price anymore, but I bought two Primmus Xi HS reels for less than that.  Normal price is around $225.  A fantastic reel.  Factory tuned. light, smooth, good lookin' and excellent casting distance.  I set 3 brakes on, adjusted spool tension for lure to drop fast and haven't touched it since.  Very forgiving reel.  Set second same way, but it has only been out a couple times.

My Tatula Type R was maybe a dollar more.  Another reel worth more than its price.  Prefer its finish to the standard, and like the faster ratio.  No difference in performance that I could tell.  Lew's Tournament MB can be found for about $109.  Mind hasn't seen as much use yet as I'd like, but seems like a very nice reel.  I like the dual braking.

I feel Pflueger is an under-rated brand.  I've got ones that cost $100 new and ones that cost over $200 new.  Have had excellent results with both.  Haven't used the Supreme XT, but smalljaw67 tells me they are excellent reels.  Liked his first one well enough to go buy another.  Tacklethisshootthat has 7 left at $117.90.  Maybe I should grab one while I can. 

I'm sure many will suggest the Citica and some of the lower priced Lew's.  Can't offer an opinion on them other than to say many like them.

[joelhains]

Thank you for the suggestions. I'm looking at spinning reels. I agree with you about the Tatula and Lews. I have both and love them!

[webertime]

Daiwa Procyon, Fuego, Ballistic or Lexa.  Smoooooooooooth. Great reliability.

[RichF]

Tatula CT!

[new2BC4bass]

1 hour ago, joelhains said:

Thank you for the suggestions. I'm looking at spinning reels. I agree with you about the Tatula and Lews. I have both and love them!

Well.    Any time someone asks about reels without specifying which, my first thought is "Baitcast".  I don't believe I am the only one that thinks that way.  I'm afraid I can't be of much help when it comes to spinning reels.  Almost all of mine are out of production.  Majority are older Daiwas.  Pfluegers are hard to beat for the price.  I happen to think my President XT is also a very nice looking reel.

[fishnkamp]

First choice for me and my wife would be a Pflueger President. These are on sale at Dicks Sporting Goods for $50 after mail in rebate. For a lighter option consider a Shimano Symetre. These run $110.  Lastly I have a friend that is pretty hard on equipment.  He fished for bass on the Potomac River so he catches big stripers and real big snakeheads on his gear. One of his favorites is the Okuma RTX30 for $100.  These reels only weigh 6.6 ounces and seem to hold up well.

[Tygaiser7]

I love my lews speed spool lfs for $100

[S. Sass]

I've had nothing but good results with these. I use them for Catfish and Bass so they have been tested. 

Pflueger President

Penn Fierce

Shimano Symetre

 

[joelhains]

36 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Well.    Any time someone asks about reels without specifying which, my first thought is "Baitcast".  I don't believe I am the only one that thinks that way.  I'm afraid I can't be of much help when it comes to spinning reels.  Almost all of mine are out of production.  Majority are older Daiwas.  Pfluegers are hard to beat for the price.  I happen to think my President XT is also a very nice looking reel.

Sorry man, my mistake lol! Fixed

The Symetre is one of the reels I just got rid of. I was really disappointed with the quality of it and the Saros. I looked at the Penn fierce and really liked it but it was too large. If they had it in a size smaller I would have bought one. I ended just picking up a Pflueger President and a Pflueger Supreme. Not sure if I'll keep them or not though. I feel like I settled on them. I keep reading good things about Okuma reels.

[EvanT123]

Check out the cabelas salt striker. It's a "saltwater" reel but they make it in a 2500 size. I picked up a few for $60 bucks. Last time I check cabelas had them for $70. They are made by daiwa. Very nice. 

[Airman4754]

Under $130 it's a Pfluger Supreme XT. My advice is spend $15 more and get a Pfluger Patriarch. You get a spare spool and they are just really really nice for under $150.

[d-camarena]

For baitcaster i use many different brands, for spinning i only use shimano. After using symetres, saros, stradics and saharas for over 5 years any other brand i try feels cheap and not as smooth

[Damn Yankee]

Hard to beat the president at the price.

[CarolinaBoy4Life]

Bought my ol man a Pflueger president for his birthday a few years back, uses it salt and fresh water. Beats the hell outta that thing and it still keeps on trucking. Great reel and even better at that price point. 

[joelhains]

I ended up taking the two reels i bought at bass pro and going to a local mom and pop tackle sgop with better selection and prices. I picked up a Pflueger Supreme and a Daiwa Legalis pretty happy with both. I'll see how they fish this week!

[Wprich]

6 minutes ago, joelhains said:

I ended up taking the two reels i bought at bass pro and going to a local mom and pop tackle sgop with better selection and prices. I picked up a Pflueger Supreme and a Daiwa Legalis pretty happy with both. I'll see how they fish this week!

Your going to love that supreme, I got 2 supreme xt's and 2 supreme mgx's to go along with my presidents and love them all.

[RichF]

Whoops! Didn't see the "spinning" part.

[DogBone_384]

Any Pflueger at or under your budget.