Lightest (good) spinning reel under $50

[Fubijar03]

Hello everyone.

I lurk a lot but post rarely, and only after exhausting my searching abilities.

 

Heres my issue: I recently bought a little “Dock Runner” combo, with a nice little ugly stick 3’ rod and a (in my experience/hands) very not great Shakespeare reel. I creek/pond fish a lot, and have always been fascinated by very small items that are still capable, so wanted to build myself a great tiny trunk setup because I work a lot and my time is limited. The reel must go, and I am looking for the absolute lightest available spinning reel that is good quality for under about $50. I only target smaller panfish, Pickerel, and bass with this rod and already landed a 2# bass with this guy with the current reel, which represents the likely largest fish it will encounter. 

 

Guide me, and thanks in advance!

 

-Weary

[J Francho]

This would fit the bill:

 

https://www.amazon.com/KastKing-Emerald-Eagle-Spinning-Reel/dp/B07CTTBMN2?ref_=bl_dp_s_web_8971250011&th=1

[wisconsin heat]

The kastking looks good, the Daiwa Revros LT is also an option, the 1000 size is only 7.4 oz and the 2000 is only 7.6!

http://www.daiwa.com/us/contents/reels/revroslt/index.html

[Hook2Jaw]

Man, that tiny Kastking has an IPT that makes me say fake news or wow.

[J Francho]

11 minutes ago, Hook2Jaw said:

Man, that tiny Kastking has an IPT that makes me say fake news or wow.

My Stradic CI4 2500 takes up 34 IPT.  Spinning reels have a larger circumference spool relative to a low pro baitcaster.

[anderb54]

I have an Okuma Ceymar C-10 that I use for ice fishing and pair it with my trout/panfish rod in the open water season. It weighs 6 oz. You can find them online for ~$40. I got mine through Tuned Up Custom rods for $45, and it had an upgraded drag washer, which is nice when I get into a bigger fish.

 

https://tunedupcustomrods.com/shop/okuma-ceymar-c-10/

[Fubijar03]

55 minutes ago, J Francho said:

This would fit the bill:

 

https://www.amazon.com/KastKing-Emerald-Eagle-Spinning-Reel/dp/B07CTTBMN2?ref_=bl_dp_s_web_8971250011&th=1

And that’s why I came here: I knew I had to be missing one. Thanks. Please keep the replies coming though! Thanks everyone. 

Just now, anderb54 said:

I have an Okuma Ceymar C-10 that I use for ice fishing and pair it with my trout/panfish rod in the open water season. It weighs 6 oz. You can find them online for ~$40. I got mine through Tuned Up Custom rods for $45, and it had an upgraded drag washer, which is nice when I get into a bigger fish.

 

https://tunedupcustomrods.com/shop/okuma-ceymar-c-10/

They have a used one through amazon a warehouse for $32 and that’s been tempting 

[anderb54]

3 minutes ago, Fubijar03 said:

 They have a used one through amazon a warehouse for $32 and that’s been tempting 

I have no complaints about mine... It's been a great little reel. For being as light as it is it's built like a tank. I've landed several 30+ inch pike on it through the ice (when they don't just bite through 3 lb fluoro lol)

[Hook2Jaw]

33 minutes ago, J Francho said:

My Stradic CI4 2500 takes up 34 IPT.  Spinning reels have a larger circumference spool relative to a low pro baitcaster.

I know these things, Francho.  Still, it seems like a huge amount in a 1000 size reel.  I suppose I don't look at other brands enough, but my Penn Conflicts and Fuego LTs aren't as fast as that KK in a 2500 size.

 

Edit : My Daiwa Fuego 2500D-XH is faster than the 1000 size Kastking, but the IPT on that little reel is still amazing. 

[JustJames]

If I’m gonna buy new reel right now, I would get president 6920x. This super light weight under 6oz. and price under 50 bucks. The only downside is gear ration 5.2 with IPT 20” (same as my Sahara 750) but for crappie and bluegill is pretty suitable.

[Fubijar03]

38 minutes ago, JustJames said:

If I’m gonna buy new reel right now, I would get president 6920x. This super light weight under 6oz. and price under 50 bucks. The only downside is gear ration 5.2 with IPT 20” (same as my Sahara 750) but for crappie and bluegill is pretty suitable.

Currently between this and the Ceymar c-10. Will probably come down to the best deal I can find. Still hearing opinions though, and please chime in if you have other ideas

[The Bassman]

3 hours ago, wisconsin heat said:

The kastking looks good, the Daiwa Revros LT is also an option, the 1000 size is only 7.4 oz and the 2000 is only 7.6!

http://www.daiwa.com/us/contents/reels/revroslt/index.html

This for sure. Smoothest of the bunch. Daiwas feel good from the top models all the way down and this is coming from a guy who mostly uses Shimano.

[JustJames]

1 hour ago, The Bassman said:

This for sure. Smoothest of the bunch. Daiwas feel good from the top models all the way down and this is coming from a guy who mostly uses Shimano.

You’re betrayed lol

[KentuckyBlueBass]

Shimano Sienna 1000 or pflueger trion.

[newyorktoiowa57]

Diawa Legalis or Revros can be had at around $50. 

[zell_pop1]

I would buy the Okuma for $32. I've used the Amazon warehouse used like new for a Shimano SLX casting reel and a Daiwa Eliminator spinning reel. Both were brand new but had been returned for who knows why. So it should be ok.

[Fubijar03]

So, I ended up buying a Daiwa Regal LT. Handled a bunch of the reels available locally and this was just my favorite by a lot. Colors are a little obnoxious, but I couldn’t be happier. I was also able to get the 2000 and still come in lighter than almost all the other options that they had available in smaller sizes which gives me some options going forward. 6.7 oz, super smooth, and checked almost all of my other boxes. Didn’t quite get the lightest available, but I think this is going to be a really good little reel for a long time. 

 

Thanks again!

[Mbirdsley]

Okuma Cemar reel.  I own a C-30 but the come in different sizes.  I bought it brand new on Ebay for 40 bucks.  It is the best under 50 dollar reel I have used.  Feels and acts like a $100 reel.  extremely light.

[JustJames]

On 6/12/2019 at 5:24 AM, Fubijar03 said:

So, I ended up buying a Daiwa Regal LT. Handled a bunch of the reels available locally and this was just my favorite by a lot. Colors are a little obnoxious, but I couldn’t be happier. I was also able to get the 2000 and still come in lighter than almost all the other options that they had available in smaller sizes which gives me some options going forward. 6.7 oz, super smooth, and checked almost all of my other boxes. Didn’t quite get the lightest available, but I think this is going to be a really good little reel for a long time. 

 

Thanks again!

I just came back from local store to check out Daiwa Presso UL rod. While talking with staff he handed me this reel regal lt, man oh man it is smooth and light with “what” 9-10 bearing and for only 50 some bucks. I almost bought it, too bad they only have 2000 in stock and 1000 which I want will come in a week or so. I also tried other LT model, very impressive indeed, only downside is front drag setup which is pretty huge and I can see myself accidentally adjust it too tight/loose while opening/closing the bail.

[The Bassman]

On 6/12/2019 at 8:24 AM, Fubijar03 said:

So, I ended up buying a Daiwa Regal LT. Handled a bunch of the reels available locally and this was just my favorite by a lot. Colors are a little obnoxious, but I couldn’t be happier. I was also able to get the 2000 and still come in lighter than almost all the other options that they had available in smaller sizes which gives me some options going forward. 6.7 oz, super smooth, and checked almost all of my other boxes. Didn’t quite get the lightest available, but I think this is going to be a really good little reel for a long time. 

 

Thanks again!

There's a matching Regal rod lineup that feels really light because of some counterbalancing in the rear grip. would work great for your application.

 

Edit: Rod is actually listed as RG Walleye 6'6" medium through several sources. Wally World has it under 60 bucks shipped. I handled this rod at our local Gander Outdoors and it would be great for light work in spite of its medium rating

 

Sorry. Rod I handled was ML. If you Google it other sources have it.

[GeekOutdoors]

On 6/5/2019 at 4:30 PM, Hook2Jaw said:

I know these things, Francho.  Still, it seems like a huge amount in a 1000 size reel.  I suppose I don't look at other brands enough, but my Penn Conflicts and Fuego LTs aren't as fast as that KK in a 2500 size.

 

Edit : My Daiwa Fuego 2500D-XH is faster than the 1000 size Kastking, but the IPT on that little reel is still amazing. 

I just ordered a Sharky III size 1000 and if all KK size 1000 are the same size they are the largest 1000-size reels I ever bought. That might be an explanation