Spending big money on a spinning reel?

[EllisJuan]

I did not have a problem shelling out a decent chunk of change for my Conquest and Metanium, but for some reason have not been able to pull the trigger for a true high end spinning reel.  I have some nice ones...a new '16 Stradic CI4+, a Stradic FK, a JDM Soare CI4+, etc. but  I keep getting tempted to pick up Something more in the league of the Conquest. A Twinpower, '16 Vanquish, or even a Stella.  I don't regret spending the money on the Conquest or Met at all...they are both truly exceptional.  So my question to the guys that shelled out for the high end spinners, are they worth it?  Do you regret it?  Also which would you recommend for the money?  Twinpower for ~$330, '16 Vanquish for ~$440, or go all the way...Stella ~$650?

[d-camarena]

Im the other way around, my casting reels are all mid tier, most i bought for around 100, i have calais, caenan, casitas etc... for spinning reels i have 3 shimano ci4+, 3 saros, 2 fk, 2 symetres, and a twinpower. Wanna get a stella to pair with a nrx. Im a big spinning reel fan, the only technique i use casting reels for ir punching and swimbaits. Everything else goes on spinning. I know i might be missing out but has been working for me. 

Also you can really tell a difference between spinning reel quality, i tried using a sienna last week on a trip and it was not fun

[EllisJuan]

How do you like your Twinpower?  How does it compare to the CI4+?  I am thinking if I make the move it will probably be to a '16 Vanquish.  I would pair it to my NRX 852.

[Stingray23]

I spent big money a few years ago and got a new Stella. Its the most I ever spent on one reel and I am glad I did. There is nothing like fishing it. So beautiful, so smooth, so balanced, its perfect. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

[EllisJuan]

13 minutes ago, Stingray23 said:

I spent big money a few years ago and got a new Stella. Its the most I ever spent on one reel and I am glad I did. There is nothing like fishing it. So beautiful, so smooth, so balanced, its perfect. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

You are not helping my wallet Stingray.

 

 

Has anyone compared the '14 Stella to the '16 Vanquish?

[EvanT123]

With a company like shimano I believe the mechanics of their spinning reels stradic and above are very similar.  I think you are paying for more bearings and "enhanced" parts and materials. Sure these improve the feel of the reel but do they improve in it's function? Maybe in tuna fishing or gt popping but probably not bass fishing. The power of the stradic has already been proved in many environments harsher than bass fishing. Is the cost of the higher end reels worth it? I think that's up to the individual and/or their intended applications  

if you want to see a crazy spinning reel there is or was a video on YouTube where a guy replaced all the bearings on a stella with full ceramics. Pretty cool. 

[EllisJuan]

5 minutes ago, EvanT123 said:

With a company like shimano I believe the mechanics of their spinning reels stradic and above are very similar.  I think you are paying for more bearings and "enhanced" parts and materials. Sure these improve the feel of the reel but do they improve in it's function? Maybe in tuna fishing or gt popping but probably not bass fishing. The power of the stradic has already been proved in many environments harsher than bass fishing. Is the cost of the higher end reels worth it? I think that's up to the individual and/or their intended applications  

if you want to see a crazy spinning reel there is or was a video on YouTube where a guy replaced all the bearings on a stella with full ceramics. Pretty cool. 

I know in my mind that you are right.  And I guess the same can be said for my casting reels.  As far as function my Currado is probably just as good as my Metanium or Conquest.  But man do you feel the difference when you sit down the Currado and pick up one of the other two.  I'm torn.

That guy in the youtube video sounds like me.  I replaced every bearing in my Conquest with ceramic hybrids and have more money in upgrades for my Metanium than I paid for the reel...lol.  I am a tinkerer. 

[FrankN209]

I spend a lot more on my baitcasters because that's what I'm using 99% of the time. 

[MickD]

It is my opinion that with any product, you get to a sweet spot in price vs value where after that, added money yields less and less advantage.  So I don't often go "all the way".  I think when you get beyond about $200 on spinning reels, you've about max'd out.

BUT, that sweet spot may be higher up in price if you are shopping for a salt water reel.  Really premium salt reels are better able to handle the salt and have more drag capacity where it is really needed.  I don't think there is a fresh water fish that's going to fry a drag on a good spinning reel, but that is not the case in salt.  If I were to fish salt regularly, I'd probably pop for a Stella or similar.

[J Francho]

My only caveat with super high end spinning reels, is they can be difficult to work on, if you like to do your own maintenance.  While the Stella needs very little maintenance, it requires some specialized tools (at least the last several I worked on, roadwarrior's to be specific) to completely disassemble.  Though, if you buy the USDM version, I'm pretty sure Shimano takes care of that for you at very minimal cost.

Personally, I've been satisfied with my three copies of original Stradic CI4.  They've held up to tons of smallies and even some trout over 10 lbs.

[tholmes]

2 hours ago, FrankN209 said:

I spend a lot more on my baitcasters because that's what I'm using 99% of the time. 

Same here. Maybe not 99%, but the vast majority of my fishing is done with baitcasters. I'm pretty happy with my mid-priced Shimano and Okuma spinners for smaller, lighter baits and fish.

Tom

[fishballer06]

I'm in the same boat as you. I bought two Stradics last year in hopes of upping my spinning reel game, one of the new one's and one of the clearanced out white one's. The new style one has yet to even be mounted on a rod, and the older white one has been out a every time with me this year, but I've caught maybe 4-5 fish on it. 

While I certainly appreciate nice reels (my casting reel collection shows that), for my applications I just don't see a need to buy any super expensive spinning reels. The Stradics are very nice reels, but I really don't think I should have anything nicer than a Saros. 

[blckshirt98]

The Stradic CI4+ and Thunnus CI4+ are the highest I've gone on a spinning reel and would never go higher.  I've felt a Steez spinning reel and while it was nice, it wasn't pricetag nice.  The only higher end spinning reel I might consider would be a used or on-sale Van Staal to use in the surf.

[d-camarena]

12 hours ago, EllisJuan said:

How do you like your Twinpower?  How does it compare to the CI4+?  I am thinking if I make the move it will probably be to a '16 Vanquish.  I would pair it to my NRX 852.

I like the ci4+ but its hard to find a rod that balances. For an nrx id go with a stradic fk or a twinp

[rippin-lips]

I owned one spinning combo and it rarely got used. If we floated the river I'd take it. It's easier to use on a kayak and it could be replaced cheaper than anything else I have casting wise. I recently spent good money on a Megabass spinning reel after having your same debate for quite a while. Why drop that much money on a reel that will never get used. It seemed totally pointless to me. After some thought I figured if I'm only going to have 1 it might as well be one that won't ever need replaced. I'm happy I made the purchase though. I now use it every trip basically and it's sometimes the only combo I'll use because it's just a joy to fish with. It's only money and you can't take it with you anyway. Might as well put a smile on your face now. 

[Red Bear]

On 8/2/2016 at 1:46 AM, EllisJuan said:

You are not helping my wallet Stingray.

 

 

Has anyone compared the '14 Stella to the '16 Vanquish?

if you truely wanted to help your wallet(which im thinking doesnt really need help if youre even thinking of spending $300-600 on a spinning reel), then why not just get one of the reasonably priced yet great quality pfluegers for much much cheaper? if i had a million dollars i wouldnt waste that money on a fishing reel when there are way cheaper options that work just as good...

[rippin-lips]

43 minutes ago, Red Bear said:

if you truely wanted to help your wallet(which im thinking doesnt really need help if youre even thinking of spending $300-600 on a spinning reel), then why not just get one of the reasonably priced yet great quality pfluegers for much much cheaper? if i had a million dollars i wouldnt waste that money on a fishing reel when there are way cheaper options that work just as good...

You can drive to work in a Corvette or a Cobalt. Both do the same thing but one is more satisfying. I know what I'd pick. 

[NYBasser]

I currently own a Saros 3000 FA, Stradic 2500 FJ, Stradic 2500 Ci4+, Sustain 2500 FG, and a Sahara 2500 FD. 

Here's how I see my reels:

The Sahara is a great reel, and definitely good for beginners and pros alike. It's smooth, can take a beating, and gets the job done. I cannot find a difference between my Saros FA and Stradic FJ, aside from the color. They are both equally smooth and have great drag systems. I also feel that my Sustain feels exactly like my Stradic CI4+. Both are very smooth and are powerful reels. Sometimes, I even feel that the Ci4+ is smoother than the Sustain lol. 

Often times Shimano makes spinning reels that are very similar, with negligible differences, and charge different prices for them. I personally see no point as to go further than a Stradic Ci4+ anymore, because it's smooth, looks great, and gets the job done. While the Sustain, Stella, Twinpower are all very nice reels, what's the point in buying them? There is a very negligible difference in smoothness, and they don't seem to offer much more in terms of drag and power, not that you need it anyway. You are practically paying for the aesthetics and the name at that point. The Stradic Series of reels are plenty smooth and do just fine.

In the end, it doesn't matter how much your gear costs, because the fish don't know and don't care. More expensive gear doesn't always correlate to more fish caught.   

[Master Bait'r]

I faced a similar conundrum.  I ended up buying an older, used Stella 2500S.  I got it for around the same price as a newer Stradic, but it's still a 15 bearing reel that I love every time I use it.  I've never regretted it, and feel that I got a solid value out of the money I spent.  While I won't disparage anybody who's got the coin to plunk down, a new Stella etc. just didn't seem like a sound strategy for me- I did want the function, quality and details though.  I think finding that individual point of diminishing returns is key to finding the right deal, and no matter how much anybody else recommends something, they aren't you.  

[Red Bear]

1 hour ago, rippin-lips said:

You can drive to work in a Corvette or a Cobalt. Both do the same thing but one is more satisfying. I know what I'd pick. 

I'm taking the Cobalt 10 times out of 10 especially since as you say it does the same thing, except its more reliable and fuel efficient, cheaper insurance, less in taxes, more room inside, etc. And if you had my commute from WV to Northern VA you would consider taking the Cobalt too. so actually i would find the Cobalt in more satisfying in this case. Bad analogy on your part. When it comes to reels, I dont see how that "Corvette" of a reel is more satisfying, plenty of "Cobalt" type reels out there do the exact same thing, cost much less money, and any upgrades in that "Corvette" are very very minimal when compared to that "Cobalt" (im talking reels not engines)...bottom line, your analogy actually works against your argument. If someone has the money to buy a $600 reel, good for them, but that doesn't mean its the best option at all...

 

56 minutes ago, NYBasser said:

Often times Shimano makes spinning reels that are very similar, with negligible differences, and charge different prices for them. I personally see no point as to go further than a Stradic Ci4+ anymore, because it's smooth, looks great, and gets the job done. While the Sustain, Stella, Twinpower are all very nice reels, what's the point in buying them? There is a very negligible difference in smoothness, and they don't seem to over much more in terms of drag and power, not that you need it anyway. You are practically paying for the aesthetics and the name at that point. 

You make an excellent point, I agree with this and it applies to more brands than just Shimano...

[rippin-lips]

1 hour ago, NYBasser said:

More expensive gear doesn't always correlate to more fish caught.   

Some people just get enjoyment out of using high end gear. If anyone actually thinks higher price equals more fish then I feel bad for them. 

 

@Red Bear 

There is nothing wrong how you look at it. However, for a lot of folks it's more enjoyable fishing with a $600-800 combo verse a $200 combo.   Some people are budget minded and choose the 'Cobalt' and some are enthusiast and prefer the 'Corvette'  I know people with bass combos that hit the 2-4K mark. I'd rather make a crappy drive to work everyday in a Corvette.  If one has the money to afford it I highly doubt they are concerned with any of the things you mentioned.  

[Red Bear]

10 minutes ago, rippin-lips said:

Some people just get enjoyment out of using high end gear. If anyone actually thinks higher price equals more fish then I feel bad for them. 

at some point youre just paying for the name and the experience is no more enjoyable than something a little cheaper...

[NYBasser]

8 minutes ago, rippin-lips said:

Some people just get enjoyment out of using high end gear. If anyone actually thinks higher price equals more fish then I feel bad for them. 

Yeah, but is it really worth it? I mean sure I enjoy my Sustain, but if I could go back, I would have bought another Stradic Ci4+ and another rod. 

Recently, I was able to witness a weigh-in at a local bass tournament. Bunch of guys with Triton Tr-21's, Ranger's, and Nitro's with dual power poles, electronics, and 250hp outboards. Funny thing is, the 1st and 2nd Place winners were both guys who didn't spend much on their gear. 1st place was driving a late 90's Monark 16 ft Aluminum with a 75hp Mercury Force 2 stroke, and 2nd Place had an Alumacraft 1648 with a 15hp LEHR Propane Outboard. Was pretty amusing seeing all the guys with expensive gear get beat....lol 

[Ratherbfishing]

I have a buddy who fishes about twice a year.  He leaves his gear in a hot/cold garage all summer/winter and by the time he uses it again, it's grimy and dusty.  An expensive ANYTHING would be lost on him.  If, however, you have the budget for it and really appreciate a well-designed/machined piece of equipment, by all means go for it.  Personally, a well maintained Pflueger President spinning reel is about as nice as I desire.  

[rippin-lips]

Only the person paying for the gear can be the judge of if it's worth it. A buddy just picked up this nib limited monoblock for just over 3k. To him it's worth it. To me I couldn't justify it, but it's his money and he can afford it. It's a work of art though and I can appreciate it.