Looking to replace Shimano Sienna spinning reels ($30-$50)

[fin]

I’ve had two Siennas that I’ve used almost daily for four years, doing maintenance myself, and I loved them, but they’re worn out. The new style Siennas only have two bearings, so I’m considering (in no particular order):

• Pflueger Trion
• Pflueger President (really more than I want to spend)
• Daiwa RG-AB
• KastKing Sharky II

I’ve read good stuff about all of these. Is there anything else decent in this price range?

Any Black Friday deals?

[ratherbfishin1]

I have tried out the Trion and President but have only felt the RG in stores and must say the RG felt “reely” good for the money.  However I have never owned or even fished with one. I can say the president and Trion are both great choices from my experience.

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard, Hank!

 

Sometimes bearing count is overrated. But I'm not well versed in the

Sienna series so much as I am in the Stradics.

 

Pflueger is highly thought of in the forums, and Daiwa is a top choice,

too. Good luck with your decision.

[greentrout]

 

[anderb54]

I've got a Mitchell 300 on one of my older spinning rods, and I feel that it's a pretty good reel for the money. You can find them online for ~$40. 

[fin]

9 hours ago, Darren. said:

Sometimes bearing count is overrated. But I'm not well versed in the

Sienna series so much as I am in the Stradics.

Point taken on the bearing count. Manufacturing materials and design are just, if not more, important. For example, the Sienna’s oscillating gear rides on a shaft that is part of the frame. That shaft has worn to the point of failure on both my Siennas. You can’t replace or repair the frame, so designing that part to wear instead of the gear is planned obsolescence. It’s hard/impossible for the customer to foresee that when making the original purchase.

 

I like Shimano a lot, I just think they’ve decided to put their quality focus more on the higher end of their line, like the Stradics. Going from 4 bearings down to 2 in the Siennas is not likely the result of advances in technology. They kept the price the same, but reduced their manufacturing expense.

 

Thanks for your input, and also to everyone else who has replied so far.

[LionHeart]

Have owned a Trion for over a decade and not a drop of maintenance.  Still flawless, but a tad heavy.

 

Check out the Shimano Sedona.  Had it for about the same time and still perfect.  It would be my pick.

[GReb]

I picked up the RG on sale for $30 not too long ago. It’s still just sitting around since I haven’t bought a rod yet though. It’s a bit on the heavier side but is really smooth out of the packaging. I ordered a set of carbon drag for it but haven’t put them in yet. 

[Chance_Taker4]

KastKing Sharky III. I got a feeling they'll be in your price point for Black Friday. Also keep an eye out on Amazon coupons for discounts on the Sharky III.

[Mobasser]

2 hours ago, LionHeart said:

Have owned a Trion for over a decade and not a drop of maintenance.  Still flawless, but a tad heavy.

 

Check out the Shimano Sedona.  Had it for about the same time and still perfect.  It would be my pick.

I agree on the Sedona. Good smooth reel for the money.Also agree on bearing count over rated also.I also have a Diawa Laguna 2000 size. Decent reel too

[NYWayfarer]

If you can pull it off the Sharky III is a fantastic reel at its price point.

[fin]

6 hours ago, LionHeart said:

Have owned a Trion for over a decade and not a drop of maintenance.  Still flawless, but a tad heavy.

 

Check out the Shimano Sedona.  Had it for about the same time and still perfect.  It would be my pick.

Either that Trion is an amazing reel, or you need to get out fishing more often. Just kidding. If you haven’t oiled & greased that thing in 10 years without a problem, that’s a good testimony.

 

I’m sure the Sedona is a fine reel, but it’s $70 and Shimanos in the lower price range don’t go on sale.  They are the same price everywhere, basically. And the parts diagram looks almost exactly like the Sienna. It’s got the same shaft built into the frame, with no bushing or bearing between it and the oscillating gear. Maybe the frame is built of a stronger material, but it’s out of my price range anyway.

6 hours ago, Chance_Taker4 said:

KastKing Sharky III. I got a feeling they'll be in your price point for Black Friday. Also keep an eye out on Amazon coupons for discounts on the Sharky III.

How do you keep an eye out for Amazon coupons? I haven't bought much fishing gear from them other than some braid. Do they email coupons? Look somewhere online? Should I put a Sharky III in my Amazon cart?

[JustinJ]

Never understood the hype with pflueger, especially the president. Every one I bought ohad terrible line lay which caused wind knots. I own the new sienna and for $30 they  get the job done just fine. 

Tackle warehosue runs 20% off on the Black Friday sale

[govallis]

If you were happy with the Sienna, you'll be blown away by the $30 RG-AB! Sienna is no compare.

[LionHeart]

Sedona is 54 bucks on ebay

[Chance_Taker4]

16 hours ago, Hank. said:

How do you keep an eye out for Amazon coupons? I haven't bought much fishing gear from them other than some braid. Do they email coupons? Look somewhere online? Should I put a Sharky III in my Amazon cart?

You can search "coupons" or "Deals". Another way is look up the Sharkey III and under the price it'll say "Save $ with coupon". click the hyperlink and it will apply the coupon.

[the reel ess]

The Trion and President are good reels. I own 2 Trions. One of them is a few years old with zero issues. It's a 40 size and is a little heavy. I also own a newer (less than one season) size 30. I bought it for $20 in a pawn shop, still in the original sealed plastic packaging. It seems just right on a 7' long rod. If They're strong reels with good smooth drag and I've only ever used them with braid. I was going to replace the 40, I'd get the President due to lower weight. Hope that helps.

[greentrout]

kk sharky III spinning on sale on kk site...49.98 free standard shipping...

 

good fishing

[fin]

9 hours ago, Chance_Taker4 said:

You can search "coupons" or "Deals". Another way is look up the Sharkey III and under the price it'll say "Save $ with coupon". click the hyperlink and it will apply the coupon.

I'm not having luck with that.

 

9 hours ago, the reel ess said:

The Trion and President are good reels. I own 2 Trions. One of them is a few years old with zero issues. It's a 40 size and is a little heavy. I also own a newer (less than one season) size 30. I bought it for $20 in a pawn shop, still in the original sealed plastic packaging. It seems just right on a 7' long rod. If They're strong reels with good smooth drag and I've only ever used them with braid. I was going to replace the 40, I'd get the President due to lower weight. Hope that helps.

Braid is all I use anymore, with a mono or fluoro leader. Thanks for the testament.

 

19 minutes ago, greentrout said:

kk sharky III spinning on sale on kk site...49.98 free standard shipping...

 

good fishing

It says it's on sale, but I put one in my cart yesterday at Amazon and it's the same price.

 

I noticed the old style Lady Presidents are on clearance from the Pflueger site for $33 (down from $60). It's a mauve color, doesn't really look pink in the picture. 9.9 ounces though, that's the heaviest one I've seen. Sharky is 9.2, Pfluegers and Diawa are 8.8/8.6. My fishing buddies would have a field day with me fishing with a pink reel though. lol

[greentrout]

7 minutes ago, Hank. said:

I'm not having luck with that.

 

Braid is all I use anymore, with a mono or fluoro leader. Thanks for the testament.

 

It says it's on sale, but I put one in my cart yesterday at Amazon and it's the same price.

 

I noticed the old style Lady Presidents are on clearance from the Pflueger site for $33 (down from $60). It's a mauve color, doesn't really look pink in the picture. 9.9 ounces though, that's the heaviest one I've seen. Sharky is 9.2, Pfluegers and Diawa are 8.8/8.6. My fishing buddies would have a field day with me fishing with a pink reel though. lol

don't buy thru amazon www.kastking.com ...

 

good fishing...

[EGbassing]

Pflueger President XT is a great reel, but the Pflueger President is pretty similar. Watch for good sales on black friday because you can save a lot and still get a good reel then.

 

It's worth it to spend the extra money and get a good reel that's going to last a lot longer.

[fin]

4 minutes ago, greentrout said:

don't buy thru amazon www.kastking.com ...

 

good fishing...

I'm seeing same price in both places.

4 minutes ago, EGbassing said:

Pflueger President XT is a great reel, but the Pflueger President is pretty similar. Watch for good sales on black friday because you can save a lot and still get a good reel then.

 

It's worth it to spend the extra money and get a good reel that's going to last a lot longer.

I've been trying to figure out how to find the sales, and I just found the "Latest Sale" thread, so that helps. Friday will probably be the day I buy something.

 

I don't mind spending more for something I know is going to last longer. It's hard to tell though, some things cost more but aren't any better, they just have an extra bell or whistle.

[EGbassing]

6 minutes ago, Hank. said:

I've been trying to figure out how to find the sales, and I just found the "Latest Sale" thread, so that helps. Friday will probably be the day I buy something.

 

I don't mind spending more for something I know is going to last longer. It's hard to tell though, some things cost more but aren't any better, they just have an extra bell or whistle.

There are exceptions, but a $100 reel will almost always last a lot longer than a $30 reel. But good luck; you should be able to get a good deal on BF.

[fin]

Well the Diawa from Dick's is not an option anymore. I was going to get it with their 25% off sale, but all they had was the 2000 size, and that may be gone by now - it was showing they only had one in stock.

Right now I'm leaning towards getting a President from Dick's for $45 and a Trion from Amazon for $27. It's weird, the Trion is cheaper at Amazon not on sale, than it is with 25% off at Dick's.

[sdsc357]

I've been using the Okuma Stratus V from DSG with no issues. They are lighter and smoother than the sienna. Can't say how long it'll last but these sienna are 5+ years and still going. I just wanted something lighter.