Best reel for ultra-light rod (under $30)

[EGbassing]

Ok, I broke down and decided to get a cheap ultra-light rod for bluegill this spring just for fun and I think I'm going to get an Ugly-stik GX2; I'm looking for a decent reel under thirty dollars to pair with it though. What's the best spinning reel I could get for that price range?

[MN Fisher]

Mitchell Avocet RZ. I got an Avocet RZ-2000 last year, it's the one I use for finesse work - drop shots, neds, wacky, etc. Smooth and seems tough enough to handle repeated catches. They do have it in 500 size (110yds of 4#) and 1000 (140yds of 4#)

 

Right at that $30 mark...29.99 MSRP.

[Stasher1]

The Pflueger Trion is only $30 from Walmart.

[MN Fisher]

2 minutes ago, Stasher1 said:

The Pflueger Trion is only $30 from Walmart.

I forgot about the Trion-20. That's a UL size and also under $30 from Amazon (I refuse to give Wally-World any of my business).

 

Another good reel as my Trion-30 was a workhorse this past year, the 20 should have the same durability.

[FordsnFishin]

I love my pflueger trions for ultralight 

[FishTank]

DSG has the Okuma Stratus clearanced out for under $30.  Nice cheap reel. 

[TBAG]

Shimano Sienna

[webertime]

TBAG for the win.  I have 4 Shimano ul reels from 15-25 years old and they still rock.

[MN Fisher]

3 minutes ago, webertime said:

TBAG for the win.  I have 4 Shimano ul reels from 15-25 years old and they still rock.

I'd still lean towards the Pflueger Trion despite my original suggestion...my old Pflueger 640ul is 40 years old and still going strong, so I know Pflueger makes things that last.

 

Of course Abu-Mitchell makes things that last too, my Cardinal 562 is that old as well.

[new2BC4bass]

On 1/23/2019 at 10:19 PM, MN Fisher said:

(I refuse to give Wally-World any of my business).

 

Not to high jack the OP's post, but from what I hear they have the power to shut down American companies.  Talked to a guy that used to wok for Johnson and Johnson in NJ making good money.  He told me in order to keep Walmart's business they were forced to close down the NJ plant and build one in China.  Don't know if that is true, but it is believable.  The bottom line is all any business cares about.......no matter how big they get or how much they make.

[NYWayfarer]

Kastking Centron is the best reel, that costs less than $30 I have ever used. A 500 or 2000 size would be great for panfish.

[evilcatfish]

I'm a Daiwa guy, but at its price point the Shimano Sienna is king

[the reel ess]

Stay away from the Academy H2O UL reel for $20. Awful drag. Agree on the Trion. I have two of those in size 30 & 40. Great reels for the $. I only paid $20 for the size 30 new.

[Crestliner2008]

Stick with the Pflueger Trion.

[EGbassing]

1 hour ago, NYWayfarer said:

Kastking Centron is the best reel, that costs less than $30 I have ever used. A 500 or 2000 size would be great for panfish.

Thanks. Is there a big difference between the 5 and 20 size?

[NYWayfarer]

16 minutes ago, EGbassing said:

Thanks. Is there a big difference between the 5 and 20 size?

Yes. The 500 is more of an ultralight reel. The 2000 holds double the amount of line and is an all around good size for Bass, ned rigs and dropshotting.

 

I would use the 500 with 4# line for Trout fishing.

 

 

[EGbassing]

1 hour ago, NYWayfarer said:

Yes. The 500 is more of an ultralight reel. The 2000 holds double the amount of line and is an all around good size for Bass, ned rigs and dropshotting.

 

I would use the 500 with 4# line for Trout fishing.

 

 

Ok, I might just go with the 500. Thanks for the suggestion!

[tholmes]

Can't go wrong with either Pflueger or Shimano.

 

Tom

[NYWayfarer]

12 minutes ago, EGbassing said:

Ok, I might just go with the 500. Thanks for the suggestion!

Awesome. You won't be disappointed. I was surprised at the quality of this reel and I got my 3000 model under $20 on sale.  

 

And for the record I had the Shimano Sienna and still own a Pflueger Trion rear drag model with a wooden handle knob that cost $49 when it was released.

 

[EGbassing]

2 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

Awesome. You won't be disappointed. I was surprised at the quality of this reel and I got my 3000 model under $20 on sale.  

 

And for the record I had the Shimano Sienna and still own a Pflueger Trion rear drag model with a wooden handle knob that cost $49 when it was released.

 

Did you get it during a spring sale, by chance? I'm thinking about waiting for the spring sales to start so I can get the rod/reel on sale.

[ratherbfishin1]

I have to go with a Shimano Sienna, hard to beat at the price.

[NYWayfarer]

8 minutes ago, EGbassing said:

Did you get it during a spring sale, by chance? I'm thinking about waiting for the spring sales to start so I can get the rod/reel on sale.

No I didn't. Kastking has random things on sale all the time.

 

The key is clicking on the Kastking link on the right ---------->

 

Then click on the words fishing reels, then spinning reels and it will bring you to thumbnails of all their spinning reels. From there you will see if a reel has a sale or coupon going on. for example when I did this now I see the Sharky 3 baitfeeder reel has a 15% off coupon and the Emerald Valiant Eagle has a 5% off coupon.

 

Also keep an eye out for sales on Kastking Ebay.

 

The 500 series is going to run you $21 and some change with free shipping on Amazon. It's cheap enough before a sale.

[Fishingmickey]

48 minutes ago, ratherbfishin1 said:

I have to go with a Shimano Sienna, hard to beat at the price.

x2 Sienna 1000

[Crankin4Bass]

Another vote for the Sienna 1000.

[Falkus]

Pflueger Trion 20 or Shimano Senna 500