Spending big money on a spinning reel?

[d-camarena]

Corvette please

[Master Bait'r]

56 minutes ago, rippin-lips said:

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. 

 

 

 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Just because spinning reels are mechanical in their casting doesn't mean they are lacking in technology. There is a point of diminishing returns when purchasing any higher end item. The value depends totally on the purchaser and their priorities . JF had a great point regarding the complexity of some high end spinners. 

[fishindad]

2 hours ago, NYBasser said:

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 

Back in my late 20's/early 30's (meaning a long time ago, lol) I was competing on a regional and national level as a triathlete. It never failed - the guys who showed up in baggy sweats with beat up bikes would kick butt and the guys with the latest skinsuits and $3K bikes would be somewhere in the middle of the pack.

Fish don't care or know what boat you're in or what gear you're using. It's all marketing.

[blckshirt98]

Some people just like bespoke/high end items for their aesthetics/artistic value.  I don't think many will say they catch more fish because they have a $1,000 reel, but they certainly will say they look and feel better when fishing it.  This isn't just a fishing thing either, it's found in any hobby.  There are people that can afford high priced items and will want and buy high priced items, especially if there's a sense of limited availability/scarcity.

[rippin-lips]

Yes, we know the fish don't care. Heck give me 10ft of mono and a hook and I'll catch a fish without a rod or reel. It's not about the fish at all. It's about the angler and the enjoyment he/she gets from his gear. Different strokes for different folks. Some either get it or they don't, and that's all there is to it. Good day gentleman.

[Master Bait'r]

Nevermind...  

[Logan S]

These types of discussions often go down this road...I posted something like this in a similar thread a while ago...

There are 2 types of gear snobs...The first type is the guy that has to have latest, greatest, and most expensive gear out there and he'll assure you he's got the advantage of people with 'lesser' quality gear.  The second type is the guy that's 'old-school' and/or 'doesn't fall for marketing hype', he assures you that everyone else is wasting money on the high-end stuff and that he does just as well with his old and/or budget gear.  

The reality is that both are sort of right in certain ways.  There IS a fair amount of marketing hype to sell the latest and greatest stuff.  On the flip side, advances in rod/reel/lure/boat tech CAN make an already competent fisherman more efficient/effective/capable.  At the end of the day, fishing success is mostly determined by the person holding rod...Whether it's the latest and greatest, a budget piece, or an old classic is of little importance.  

Me personally? I enjoy high end gear.  I also enjoy being able to fish longer each tournament day since I can run 65-70mph to and from my spots .  Being able to get there and back in rough weather is also a nice thing...I can run and fish in conditions that would swamp a 16 footer .

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To answer the original question... IMO, the most important feature on a spinning reel is the drag.  A smooth, predictable drag that doesn't stick on start up is something that you do have to pay a little money for.  Usually once you get into $150+ price range you'll get a reel that fits this description, especially with Shimano and Daiwa.  I know many will tell me that their reels have this same drag quality for lower prices, but this is what I've found personally.  

[Maico1]

I am going to make it reel simple for you , if appreciate the Conquest the way you say you do then you will do the same with a Stella....Both reels with last you a life time.....

[roadwarrior]

If you want to meet me at one of the local ponds I will give you three Stella to test drive. I have the original Stella 1000FA, 2500FB and 2500FD.  You can decide for yourself if the cost is worth it to you. It is for me.

 

 

 

[offsidewing]

2016 Vanquish is my favorite spinning reel.  I currently have a 2500HGS.  I had a Stella C2500HGS and like the Vanquish better in similar applications.  I have the Vanquish sitting on a St Croix Legend Elite 610MLXF and it is a heavenly pair for bass fishing.  Its my drop shot and Ned Rig set up.  I'll also toss light tube jigs with it.  The drag so far has been smooth and consistent. 

I also have a 2016 Stradic Ci4 3000XGM. Its a great reel too, although not used as much as the Vanquish as its just been released.  The Vanquish does feel more refined in terms of rotor balance and overall feel.  Is the Vanquish $200 better than the Stradic?  No.  Do I regret spending $400+ on the Vanquish?  Not for a second.  Would I buy a Stella again?  Probably not, unless I was fishing every day.  

[EllisJuan]

2 hours ago, offsidewing said:

2016 Vanquish is my favorite spinning reel.  I currently have a 2500HGS.  I had a Stella C2500HGS and like the Vanquish better in similar applications.  I have the Vanquish sitting on a St Croix Legend Elite 610MLXF and it is a heavenly pair for bass fishing.  Its my drop shot and Ned Rig set up.  I'll also toss light tube jigs with it.  The drag so far has been smooth and consistent. 

I also have a 2016 Stradic Ci4 3000XGM. Its a great reel too, although not used as much as the Vanquish as its just been released.  The Vanquish does feel more refined in terms of rotor balance and overall feel.  Is the Vanquish $200 better than the Stradic?  No.  Do I regret spending $400+ on the Vanquish?  Not for a second.  Would I buy a Stella again?  Probably not, unless I was fishing every day.  

Thanks.  Those are the three reels I was really wanting to hear compared.  The '16 Stradic CI4+, '16 Vanquish, and Stella.  Pretty awesome that you own them all.  Would you say the Vanquish is the sweet spot?  Does it feel more like the Stradic or more like the Stella?  I was wondering if there was a noticeable with the Micro Module gears.  Is it as pronounced as it is with the baitcasters?

If for some reason you want to sell the Vanquish, let me know.  I would want the 2500HGS.

[FrankN209]

I think it's whatever your preference is. When i started bass fishing back in 96, i just used a syncopate and a berkley rod. The setup probably cost me 35-40.00. And I caught a lot of fish on it. MY PB of around 9lbs came off of that. Now that I have a nice job with some extra cash, I buy some of the better setups. But will it make me catch more fish? OFC not, learning how to fish does that for you. The higher end stuff is just for enjoyment. 

[IgotWood]

For me, rod and reel are always the two most important pieces of fishing equipment in my stash. I'll spend any amount of money to buy a rod or reel that will fit my perfectly with the type of fishing I am doing. Let me re-phrase that...I USED TO spend any amount of money...then I got married and had kids.

But jokes aside, I like high end gear because of its reliability, durability, and its capability in terms of technique or tackle. I am new to freshwater fishing, and don't have the money to outfit myself completely with high end gear. I am currently fishing a $60 Daiwa on the rod I use the most. I lost the fish of a lifetime a few weeks ago with that reel. It's the last time I'll buy cheap gear. That fish gave me PTSD. I plan on outiftting with Stradic's. I personally do not have the need for a Stella for freshwater fishing.

When I lived in New England I spent 4-6 nights a week in the saltwater surf, I used Van Staal, and ZeeBaas reels, which retailed for $800-1000 (before I had a family to feed). They were designed to be 100% waterproof, and to hold up against salt. This was important to me because we would swim out to the structure we wanted to fish. They were absurdly expensive reels, but that style of fishing was my passion, and these reel's reliability were of utmost importance to me.

[fvogel67]

I own a Stradic FJ and a Saros FA,With decent maintenance the only reels I'll ever need