Need a new spinning reel

[crankbait2009]

Over the past number of years, I have owned Abu Garcia and Pflueger spinning reels.  All of the Abu Garcia reels were coffee grinders, and never felt silky smooth when reeling.  Regardless if it was under load or not.  Right now, I have been using a Pflueger President for a couple years.  It grinds, not horribly, but it's certainly not smooth.  I fish from a kayak, never around sand, but occasionally get the reel wet.  But not often.  Getting it wet could cause the grinding, but I am not sure.  I just figured the reels were to blame.

 

For this upcoming season, I am wanting to upgrade my weightless plastics spinning combo.  I still have plenty of time before making my decision.  I'd like to get a reel for $100 or less.  I'd like a reel that is solid, good quality, and doesn't grind.  I would assume a 30 sized reel would be best.

 

I do not have a rod selected yet, but am considering a st. croix.  Whether it be the Mojo, or the Triumph.  Only think I don't like about the Mojo, is the hint of the deep purple color.  I'd like to stay around the $100-$130 mark on the rod.

 

I've never had a Lew's reel before, but came across this one yesterday.  Anyone have any reviews on it?

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lews_Speed_Spin_Spinning_Reel/descpage-SSL.html

 

Any good non grinders out there?

 

 

[Russ E]

If you are near a Cabelas or bass pro, go tryout  all of the display models..

I ws there a month ago loking for a small crankbait reel. the abu's were ok, the pfluegers had a grinding feel.

the two reels that impressed me were the diawa fuego and Diawa Regal 2500 xh.

The fuego was $99.00.

the Regal was on sale for $49.00.

I bought the Regal. It is amazingly smooth for a $50.00 reel and has a 6.2 to 1 gear ratio.

[MickD]

I have no complaints on the old Cabela reels by Daiwa, always and still smooth, and all the new Daiwas are silky smooth.  

[Tizi]

The Daiwa Fuego LT is a nice reel in the price range you are considering. Sportsmansoutfitters has them for $74.99.

[Glaucus]

Shimano Nasci

[islandbass]

Can’t recommend a specific reel that I’ve tried, but a Shimano or Daiwa in the $70 and up (honestly, I can’t seem to go higher than $100 for spinning reels) is what I’d get if I were in the market. 
 

If what you mean by getting your reels wet includes full submersion, then that could be the culprit for grinding. Even if the water looks clear to us, there are still particulates in it. 
 

It would behoove you to clean your reels as soon as possible after a dunking. I admit I’m anal about it but that’s just how I am when it comes to being preventative. 
 

Nicer, higher quality reels are even more a reason to protect and maintain.  If you treat them in the same way, the same result will be yielded, just more expensive. It might not be too late to get your current reels back up to snuff.

 

 

[Joe_w1234]

I would go with a Daiwa fuego or maybe a Shimano nasci

[Finessegenics]

 I'd say a new president would be worth it but if the reel hasnt performed to your standards then you're unlikely to consider another pflueger. Shimano Nasci in the 2500 size is a good option, its similar in weight to the president 30, but should offer more longevity.

[Glaucus]

A lot of people have problems with the line lay on the Fuego LT. The Fuego CT baitcaster is great but the spinning reel needs work. Shouldn't have to add washers to a $100 reel out of the box.

 

Nasci all day.

[Fishes in trees]

How weird.  The Pflueger Presidents that I have don't grind at all.   I have the 1000 size.   Mine have gotten wet through being in the rain, but haven't taken a dunking, wouldn't know if that is the problem or not.  I like the 1000 size reels because they are lighter.   They handle 20 lb braid fine.   I throw wacky senkos into gnarly brush often and I like to get the fish out when they bite, so I use a 7" Fenwick HMG MH - extra fast tip spinning rod.   The drag is often set pretty heavy, so I feel like I can lean on any fish and pull they out of gnarly cover with that combo, and it will cast as far as I need it to.

On the subject of other similar priced spinning reels, I have a Shimano Nasci - good reel but I don't use it much because it doesn't have an anti-reverse switch.  I have a number of Shimano and Diawa, US Reel, Pflueger, and Abu spinning reels that all see intermittent duty, and none of them make any grinding sounds.   Makes me think that a professional cleaning of your reels would do wonders.  

I know lots of guys like 30 size reels, they hold a little more line, which lets you loose a few more baits before you have to re-spool, They are a little heftier and they fit many guys hands better than a 1000 size reel does.  Me, I can't get past the extra weights I just crank down on the drag a little bit more and hope for the best.

 

On the subject of rods, if you can't deal with the purple tint of the St Croix Mojo, don't go to Academy and look for close outs.  A few of the All Star rods on close out are grey, most of the ones on close out are bright purple, or a neon lime color or a neon chartreuse color.   On the subject of rod color, I think that most mid-range rods are make in some color, just to make them stand out from the crowd.   Many of the high end Loomis rods are different colors.   I have older olive colored Kistler rods, and bright blue Kistler rods.   The Wild Black carrot stir ( I still have a couple ) have a lot of glitter for a basically black rod.  Making rods distinctive colors seems to be an industry trend, but I think that it has more or less been there all along.   Back in the day, when Berkley Lightning Rods were considered a top of the line option, they had a very distinctive wrap for all the guides.

[MN Fisher]

23 minutes ago, Fishes in trees said:

How weird.  The Pflueger Presidents that I have don't grind at all.

Not only does my President 25 not grind, but neither do my Trion-30 or my Avocet-2000 - and those last two are 'cheap' reels. Of course I clean and lube/oil them regularly - at least once a season if not more - so that may be why.

 

If I was going to get another spinner - it'd be a Pflueger or Mitchell - both those brands have done well by me for 50 years.

[Shimano_1]

Daiwa legalis is hard to beat and can be had for less than 60 bucks.  I too fished presidents for years but like everything else they've cheapened them up and the last cple I've bought have been junk. 

[Glaucus]

Drag systems are so good these days I don't understand why guys still need to ability to back reel. Shimano knows it so the scrapped it.

[WRB]

Shimano Sahara F1 will give you years of trouble fishing.

The only Daiwa spinning reel I own is TD SS1300 , it's about 28 years old and still works good and still being made.

Major Craft NAS-WJ701M or MH* would be my suggestion for a all around round.

Tom

*TW under MJ spinning rods Nanoace, Medium or Medium heavy available around $120.

[crankbait2009]

wow, a great amount of reels to consider.  I thank you for all the advice.

 

To answer the question about the reel getting wet....Ya, it was a full dunking. The reel accidentally sliding into the lake off the edge of the kayak.  That has happened a few times.  It doesn't happen often, so I didn't think much of it.

 

I have a friend that has a Trion, he's had it for years, and never grinds.  It's silky smooth.

 

The reels I've had over the past number of years have all been size 35 or 40.  Bigger than ideal for my weightless plastics.  So I will definitely be getting a smaller reel for this application.

[LCG]

My first spinning reel was an Abu Garcia Orra s... Meh. Had two pflueger president xt's for a few years, never any issues. Then I went and looked at the new Shimano Stradic FL, was so impressed I bought it and sold the Pfluegers. I know it's above your price point but pretty sure it's worth it. My pflueger reels never gave any trouble but not nearly as smooth nor did they lay line like the stradic does. 

 

If you're firm at $100 then probably the nasci will be your best bet. 

[swhit140]

Has the reel ever been cleaned/serviced? It might be a option instead of buying a new reel, but it's your money.

[je1946]

Open face spinning reels are VERY easy to take apart clean and oil, (do not use any of the contact cleaning agents in a spray can) reassemble and your good to go. You can get directions on youtube on how to take apart and clean.  If you want to change, I would look for a used older Shimano Stradic 2500 very easy to find and maintain.  For a $100 you'll  have a very gd reel that you can hand down to your grandchildren.

[browne762]

I would recommend the Shimano Sahara or if you wanted Core Protect (might help with dunking/sand IDK?) then the Nasci.

 

I also am not a fan of the Mojo purple. I ended up getting one and after a short while grew to like the rod enough to get over the color. Now have 4 or 5 of them in my fleet. I don't notice the color at all when using them, just when in the store picking them out. Mine are all casting, but would think the spinning would be just as nice.

[Hulkster]

not a fan of the mojo purple either. i just cant buy a purple rod.

 

that said, the St. Croix Premiers and Triumph rods are great for the money.

 

and black in color. 

 

for spinning reels, like many on this thread recommended, i would go with the Nasci or Sahara, 3000 size. more line capacity and nicer handle knob. same weight. 

[NYWayfarer]

21 hours ago, crankbait2009 said:

Over the past number of years, I have owned Abu Garcia and Pflueger spinning reels.  All of the Abu Garcia reels were coffee grinders, and never felt silky smooth when reeling.  Regardless if it was under load or not.  Right now, I have been using a Pflueger President for a couple years.  It grinds, not horribly, but it's certainly not smooth.  I fish from a kayak, never around sand, but occasionally get the reel wet.  But not often.  Getting it wet could cause the grinding, but I am not sure.  I just figured the reels were to blame.

 

For this upcoming season, I am wanting to upgrade my weightless plastics spinning combo.  I still have plenty of time before making my decision.  I'd like to get a reel for $100 or less.  I'd like a reel that is solid, good quality, and doesn't grind.  I would assume a 30 sized reel would be best.

 

I do not have a rod selected yet, but am considering a st. croix.  Whether it be the Mojo, or the Triumph.  Only think I don't like about the Mojo, is the hint of the deep purple color.  I'd like to stay around the $100-$130 mark on the rod.

 

I've never had a Lew's reel before, but came across this one yesterday.  Anyone have any reviews on it?

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lews_Speed_Spin_Spinning_Reel/descpage-SSL.html

 

Any good non grinders out there?

 

 

That Lew's reel is brand new for this year. I doubt anyone has tried it yet.

 

I would suggest for $20 more you could get the Lew's Mach 2 metal speed spin. I have had mine for 2 seasons, caught hundreds of fish with it, no grind and it is as smooth as the day I bought it. Durable as well with an aluminum frame. The winn grip knob is a nice touch as well.

 

 

[skekoam]

23 hours ago, Glaucus said:

Shimano Nasci

Is that similar to the Daiwa Revros?  the colors look very similar.  I have a Revros that I bought in a combo and it seems like the spool area is too shallow and causes tangling around the reel a lot.  Not sure if its that or line memory issue.

[browne762]

  

1 hour ago, skekoam said:

Is that similar to the Daiwa Revros?  the colors look very similar.  I have a Revros that I bought in a combo and it seems like the spool area is too shallow and causes tangling around the reel a lot.  Not sure if its that or line memory issue.

 

Colors of reels don't mean too much, there seem to be several black/dark gray with gold Shimano and Daiwa spinning reels. I think the Revros is closer to the Sedona in the Shimano line. You would want to compare the spec sheets and even then a in-hand side by side comparison might be the best when making a personal choice.

[Black Hawk Basser]

22 hours ago, Shimano_1 said:

Daiwa legalis is hard to beat and can be had for less than 60 bucks.  I too fished presidents for years but like everything else they've cheapened them up and the last cple I've bought have been junk. 

I had a Legalis about 6 years ago, and really liked it, except - When I'd make a hard cast, the bail would sometimes slam shut.  Perhaps that doesn't happen anymore, but I stopped using mine because of that.

 

I own 4 Presidents from size 20 to 35.  I've never had any grinding problems.  I even used one for over 10 years, and only lost it to a catfish dragging my rig into the depths of the gravel pit.  That was a heart breaker.

 

However, I've also had two Trions, and both eventually ended up being pretty 'grindy'.

 

I don't lube my reels often, but I do from time to time. 

[Derek1]

The nasci is a great $100 reel.