High End Spinning Reels?

[Chance_Taker4]

What sets the lower end and high end spinning reels apart from one another? My spinning lineups are composed of sub $100 spinning reels but I have been looking at higher end reels (mostly in the $200-$300 range) What kind of components or technology goes in the higher reels that is missed when using lower reels.

 

Reels I'm looking at are Revo Premier, Revo MGX (Clearanced Out), Daiwa Luvias, Shimano Stradic Ci4 

[Scott F]

For me, when I upgraded to spinning reels in the $180 price range (Quantum) it was because they hold up much better than the less expensive reels I had been using. I’ve been very happy with my Quantum Energy and now Quantum Smoke models. My first Energy was over 10 years old ($140 then) before it started to wear down and get noisy. I’d never had reel last me more than 3 or 4 years before that. Higher end reels are generally lighter than less expensive models. If weight is an issue for you, spending more money will buy you a lighter reel (so will getting a smaller one). 

[Hulkster]

For the shimanos, you get the direct drive screw in handle where the handle screws directly into the main gear. everything from the Nasci and down does not have this, the Ultegra and up does.

 

you also get better water penetration protection and a better bail wire where the end is tapered. stradic has this, ultegra does not.

 

I have a stradic FK and I can say it is amazing. by all accounts the CI4 is even nicer

[PatrickKnight]

First off skip the Revos imo, when it comes to high end spinners Shimano and Daiwa are a class above everything else. The main thing you get is longevity and overall ease of use. Most bass fisherman tend to skimp a bit on spinners but since its all I use I can say anything from the Stradic and above you really see what Shimano is all about. Also that Luvias is a remarkable reel.

 

If you have a 300 dollar budget the Luvias is where I would spend my money for 200 I would go with a Stradic FK (I personally don't care for the Ci4 as I find its so light it makes most rods pretty tip heavy).

 

As of late I have been extremely happy with my purchase of a Daiwa BG. It is hands down the best 100 dollar spinning reel I have ever used. 

 

If I could go back to Jan 1 of 2017 I would buy the reel below and be happy very very happy. However I am still happy with my FK and BG combo.

 

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Daiwa_Luvias_Aluminum_ABS_Deep_Spool_Spinning_Reel/descpage-LAA.html

[Darren.]

I can really tell a difference in reel stability between

my Shimanos and Daiwa that do not have the fully 

integrated handle.

 

Thus I use Stradics from FI to CI4+ 

[Chance_Taker4]

On 11/4/2017 at 6:40 AM, PatrickKnight said:

First off skip the Revos imo, when it comes to high end spinners Shimano and Daiwa are a class above everything else. The main thing you get is longevity and overall ease of use. Most bass fisherman tend to skimp a bit on spinners but since its all I use I can say anything from the Stradic and above you really see what Shimano is all about. Also that Luvias is a remarkable reel.

 

If you have a 300 dollar budget the Luvias is where I would spend my money for 200 I would go with a Stradic FK (I personally don't care for the Ci4 as I find its so light it makes most rods pretty tip heavy).

 

As of late I have been extremely happy with my purchase of a Daiwa BG. It is hands down the best 100 dollar spinning reel I have ever used. 

 

If I could go back to Jan 1 of 2017 I would buy the reel below and be happy very very happy. However I am still happy with my FK and BG combo.

 

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Daiwa_Luvias_Aluminum_ABS_Deep_Spool_Spinning_Reel/descpage-LAA.html

That is the Luvias I was considering. I am just like the majority I can justify $300 casting reels but when it comes to spinning anything over $100 I couldn't bring myself to buy. But now I that I need a new spinning reel I am wondering what I have been missing out.

[PatrickKnight]

If you don't want to spend more than $100 the BG is a hell of a reel for $100. It compares very closely to my FK in performance. It doesn't have the refined smoothness but at half the cost I wouldn't expect it to. 

[Oregon Native]

Daiwa 1300 SS.....has stood the test of time and it's a light and dependable.  

(just my two cents)

[MickD]

What you get when you go above the approx $100 range are durability, smo-o-o-th, better drags, and better bails. But. . . I have found Daiwas, even in the $100 range (old Cabelas reels), to be very durable.  I still use a couple that are about 10 years old.  Still smooth, bails still work fine.

[NHBull]

Drags and direct drives

the stradic is about how high I will go.

it’s hard for me to justify higher ends than them side I can’t feel the difference 

[Big-Bass]

I have a Luvias 3012H that is honestly my favorite spinning reel.  I own a Ci4+ and it is truly great as well but the drag on the Daiwa is just incredible.  I like the larger spool size as well since it has a 37" IPT which is key in deep water finesse fishing.  I have it on a 7'6" Cronos that is awesome.  I got my Luvias for $199 from a southern tackle shop and it also included a Daiwa Vector hat.  If you look around you can probably still find one for close to that price.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I like worm drive oscillating, sturdy bail wire, counter balanced rotor and good line roller in a spinning reel. 

[FrankN209]

Everyone has mentioned either Shimano or Daiwa. But nobody mentioned Pflueger? What about the Pflueger Patriarch XT? 

[primetime]

The best spinning reels are the ones that are fully sealed, have best quality bearings etc. You get what you pay for, I buy some $30 reels knowing they will not last long, but too get a Spinning reel that will last, I find it has to be sealed, the Patriarch by Pflueger is in the same game as the stradic.

 

I think every brand makes reels that are top quality but everyone mentions Daiwa and Shimano because they seem to have been making the best stuff for the longest time. It is hard to beat the Price and quality of a $100 Daiwa or Shimano. The president is a great reel, if you only fish on weekends etc. It is plenty good if you take care of it, but since you are using lighter line, I spend more on spinning reels than casting because I want a reel I know has a great drag and won't stick at a bad time. If you buy an Okuma Helios, Stradic or even a $100 Shimano, Any Daiwa like a BG, Procyon and up you are buying a good reel. The Pflueger Extreme to Patriarch are also really good, I assume the Revo line & Quantum PT reels are also good.

 

 

The Daiwa BG has been around forever for a reason. For the price, Hard to beat the BG, only need the 2500 for freshwater as well.

[WRB]

9 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I like worm drive oscillating, sturdy bail wire, counter balanced rotor and good line roller in a spinning reel. 

Plus extremely smooth reliable drag system. You pay $$ for light weight materials and balanced wobble free drive trains.

The Stratic Ci4 has all the needed features.

Parts and technical support from both Daiwa and Shimano are excellent and should factor into buying higher end reels.

Tom

[davecon]

Do not, I repeat, do not try a Shimano C14 !!!

 

I made that mistake and am now not happy with the other spinning reels I have.

 

The 3000 series that I have handles Snook, reds, and small tarpon (up to 60 lbs so far) and bass are a piece of cake in comparison. It is amazingly smooth, light, and the drag is silky smooth. 

 

Once you try try one you will become addicted.

 

You've been warned !

[Rodney Smith]

I don’t think you will do any better than the Ci4’s. I had several of the previous model and now the newest version. They are smooth, light, and powerful.

[Lost..]

It's a proven fact that the more money you spend on a reel, the more fish it catches.

[Stingray23]

Tighter tolerances, better quality bearings, much smoother, better components, better quality materials, will last much longer. To me, a nice, high quality spinning reel is a dream to fish with. I prefer Daiwa and Shimano. Especially, Steez and Stella.

[MickD]

10 hours ago, FrankN209 said:

Everyone has mentioned either Shimano or Daiwa. But nobody mentioned Pflueger? What about the Pflueger Patriarch XT? 

It's a great reel.  Bought my first as a past model about a year ago, and it's very nice in all aspects of performance.

[Stephen B]

1 hour ago, Rodney Smith said:

I don’t think you will do any better than the Ci4’s. I had several of the previous model and now the newest version. They are smooth, light, and powerful.

I would have 100% agreed with you a few weeks ago, but the new Tatula LT is amazing. Definitely give it a look. They weigh less than the Stradic and have more line capacity.

[Yumeya]

High end spinning reels to me is-

Shimano Stella, Vanquish, Excense.

Daiwa Exist, Steez, Certate.

 

More and better bearings, smoother feeling with lighter materials, better smoother drag and better line lay.

 

[Djohn]

Same as Scott F on the higher end Quantums. Tighter, smoother, and still going strong after up to 10 years on some of them.

[S Hovanec]

When I think of high-end freshwater spinning reels, only Daiwa and Shimano are in the conversation.  I admit to being a Shimano snob.  In Shimano's US lineup, they have only 3 reels I consider high end: Sustain, Exsence and Stella.  There are 4 high end JDM offerings: Twin Power, Vanquish, Exsence and Stella.

 

Do you need high end reels?  No, the fish can't tell the difference.  I just really like the feel of them.  Once you have a true high end reel in your hands, you can tell the difference.  Same goes for rods.  I have a real hard time picking up anything but customs anymore!

[BasserJim]

15 hours ago, davecon said:

Do not, I repeat, do not try a Shimano C14 !!!

 

I made that mistake and am now not happy with the other spinning reels I have.

 

The 3000 series that I have handles Snook, reds, and small tarpon (up to 60 lbs so far) and bass are a piece of cake in comparison. It is amazingly smooth, light, and the drag is silky smooth. 

 

Once you try try one you will become addicted.

 

You've been warned !

 

I snorted and giggled at this..... Don't ever pick up a Stella then, you won't be able to throw that CI4 in the garbage fast enough.

 

Count me with the others in that there's no way that I would consider the majority of the suggested reels here high end. As others have said, Daiwa Steez, Certate, Exist, Shimano Excense, Stella.

 

As S Hovanec said, you don't need them, and they won't catch you any more fish, but they will certainly elevate your experience.