5/0 Posted January 25, 2020 Posted January 25, 2020 What factors determine the strength of a spinning reel? Is it the size, gear ratio, drag, or IPT? Or is it a combination of them all? I’m looking to gradually upgrade my older reels. Would a 3000 size be a good all around reel? Drop shot, shaky, small paddle tail swimbaits, T-rig plastics, and small jerk baits would be some of the applications. Thanks....Joe Quote
The Bassman Posted January 25, 2020 Posted January 25, 2020 3000 would be fine. Different manufacturers have different size ratings. Shimano 2500 and 3000 are only different by line capacity. Pflueger tends to be a bit smaller for their size classes. Quote
Super User MN Fisher Posted January 25, 2020 Super User Posted January 25, 2020 8 minutes ago, The Bassman said: Pflueger tends to be a bit smaller for their size classes. Ya - a Pflueger 30 is about a 2000, a 35 a little smaller than a 3000 but bigger than a 2500 Quote
Super User jimmyjoe Posted January 26, 2020 Super User Posted January 26, 2020 What do you mean by "strength"? The techniques you mentioned don't need strength as such, so did you mean something else, like "longevity"? Or do you mean "cranking power", as in torque? Any half-way decent spinning reel is going to have all the strength you need for those uses. The only thing I would watch is that IF you use braid and want to tighten down the drag (something I don't advise) then you really should look for a reel that is metal, and not graphite-reinforced plastic. And as always, keep any reel well lubricated, especially the line roller. Makes a world of difference. jj 1 Quote
Super User Hammer 4 Posted January 26, 2020 Super User Posted January 26, 2020 This ^^^^ I've caught 6 lb white sea bass on a Sahara 2500 spinning reel with 8 lb hybrid line. Keep in mind these fish being in salt water Fight 10 times harder that any fresh water bass you may encounter. I've never had an issue using a size 2500 reel even for a 7 lb rainbow trout. 1 Quote
LCG Posted January 26, 2020 Posted January 26, 2020 Stick to brands that are well known and have good reviews. Shimano, Daiwa, etc. Generally you get what you pay for. A higher dollar reel is generally of higher quality and should last a long time with proper care. A 2500-3000 size is pretty standard. I had a couple of Pflueger President xt's that served me well for a few years, recently sold them to downsize/upgrade my gear and purchased a Shimano Stradic FL that I expect to last quite awhile. Depends on your budget but reels I would put on a short list would be pflueger president, Shimano nasci, Daiwa Tatula Lt, and the Shimano Stradic FL or Ci4+. 1 Quote
5/0 Posted January 26, 2020 Author Posted January 26, 2020 27 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said: The only thing I would watch is that IF you use braid and want to tighten down the drag (something I don't advise) then you really should look for a reel that is metal, and not graphite-reinforced plastic. Okay, I do plan on using braid. By metal do you mean the spool or gearing? The choices so far in the price point I would prefer are: Daiwa Fuego LT, Shimano NASCI, Shimano Sahara F1, and Shimano Sedona F1. But the Monkey keeps whispering Shimano Stradic ci4 and Daiwa Tatula LT. From the descriptions all except the Fuego are metal. The Fuego is described as carbon based. Quote
Super User Hammer 4 Posted January 26, 2020 Super User Posted January 26, 2020 3 minutes ago, 5/0 said: Okay, I do plan on using braid. By metal do you mean the spool or gearing? The choices so far in the price point I would prefer are: Daiwa Fuego LT, Shimano NASCI, Shimano Sahara F1, and Shimano Sedona F1. But the Monkey keeps whispering Shimano Stradic ci4 and Daiwa Tatula LT. From the descriptions all except the Fuego are metal. The Fuego is described as carbon based. Keep in mind, the Sahara does Not have the reverse lever any longer. I bought one about 3 months ago, and it sits, cuz I use the reverse lever often. Otherwise, a good reel. Quote
Super User MN Fisher Posted January 26, 2020 Super User Posted January 26, 2020 One I'd toss in the hat in that price ballpark - Pflueger Supreme. I've been using Pfluegers for 40+ years...heck I could put my mid-70s era 640 on a rod and use it today if I wanted. Quote
5/0 Posted January 26, 2020 Author Posted January 26, 2020 21 minutes ago, MN Fisher said: One I'd toss in the hat in that price ballpark - Pflueger Supreme. It’s now in the mix. 1 Quote
Super User jimmyjoe Posted January 26, 2020 Super User Posted January 26, 2020 1 hour ago, 5/0 said: Okay, I do plan on using braid. By metal do you mean the spool or gearing? The choices so far in the price point I would prefer are: Daiwa Fuego LT, Shimano NASCI, Shimano Sahara F1, and Shimano Sedona F1. But the Monkey keeps whispering Shimano Stradic ci4 and Daiwa Tatula LT. From the descriptions all except the Fuego are metal. The Fuego is described as carbon based. I meant body. As far as I know, all gearing is metal. Body construction: Fuego Lt: plastic Shimano NASCI: plastic Shimano Stradic Ci4 and Ci4+: plastic Daiwa Tatula LT: plastic Sedona and Sahara: I don't know for sure, but I doubt they are metal. The cheapest reel that is aluminum and that I like (I'm finicky) is the BG series from Daiwa. That being said, remember what I wrote: " ...IF YOU WANT TO TIGHTEN DOWN THE DRAG..." If you don't do that, then you won't have to worry about it at all. So any of those reels would be fine. jj 1 Quote
Super User OkobojiEagle Posted January 26, 2020 Super User Posted January 26, 2020 OP...While I fish with the mentioned Pflueger Supreme reels, I don't know that the magnesium bodies will hold up well in brackish water if you fish them. oe Quote
Super User Hammer 4 Posted January 26, 2020 Super User Posted January 26, 2020 The Sahara is in fact metal. Just checked mine. Quote
Super User jimmyjoe Posted January 26, 2020 Super User Posted January 26, 2020 New Sahara FI evidently has a plastic frame: This one is goofy. They quote an "anodized body" and then a "graphite frame". You don't anodize graphite. https://saltedangler.com/spinning-reels/shimano-sahara-fi-spinning-reel-review/ All the rest of these mention either graphite frame or composite (graphite-reinforced plastic) frame: https://gearoll.com/product/shimano-sahara-fi-spinning-fishing-reel https://www.ganderoutdoors.com/shimano-sahara-fi-spinning-reel-342096.html https://www.cabelas.com/product/SHIMANO-SAHARA-FI/2973080.uts https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/shimano-sahara-fi-spinning-reel https://www.jandh.com/products/shimano-sahara-fi-spinning-reels.html https://www.overtons.com/shimano-sahara-fi-spinning-reel-342096.html I have no idea about the older Sahara models. jj 1 Quote
Super User NYWayfarer Posted January 26, 2020 Super User Posted January 26, 2020 Lew’s Mach II metal speed spin is an aluminum body spinning reel. I have a size 100 reel on a medium light rod for finesse Smallmouth fishing. I have landed many 2 - 4 pound Smallies on 8 lb line with it. This will be my fourth season with this reel. It’s as smooth as the day I bought it with very littl maintenance. $79.99 but I often see it on sale for $59.99 2 1 Quote
Super User jimmyjoe Posted January 26, 2020 Super User Posted January 26, 2020 1 hour ago, NYWayfarer said: Lew’s Mach II metal speed spin is an aluminum body spinning reel. I have a size 100 reel on a medium light rod for finesse Smallmouth fishing. I have landed many 2 - 4 pound Smallies on 8 lb line with it. This will be my fourth season with this reel. It’s as smooth as the day I bought it with very littl maintenance. $79.99 but I often see it on sale for $59.99 I forgot about the Lew's reels. I think they're the unsung heroes of the spinning reel world. I especially like the fact that the feedback I've heard locally has been consistent and good. jj 1 Quote
walleyecrazy Posted January 26, 2020 Posted January 26, 2020 FYI not all plastic bodies are created equal. An example is the difference between the Fuego LT and Tatula LT. The Tatula LT has a fiber reinforced “Zaion” plastic which is much more rigid and resistant to flex than that of the Fuego LT. I believe the same is true with the Shimano reels where the Stradic CI4+ has the fiber reinforced body where the cheaper models do not. Also as far as the Daiwa BG, I will say that it is an incredible reel for the money. I would say it is probably the best spinning reel you can get at its price point. 1 1 Quote
Super User NYWayfarer Posted January 26, 2020 Super User Posted January 26, 2020 The weak part of most reels, baitcaster and spinning is the reel foot. On spinning reels add the stem to the list. Most of the graphite spinning reels I have broken have been at either of these locations. There have not been many but they have been to drops on concrete. Had they been aluminum I have no doubt I would still have them. Another reason to consider going aluminum. 1 Quote
garroyo130 Posted January 27, 2020 Posted January 27, 2020 Shimanos x-ship is a real game changer here. If I was in the market for a new spinning reel I'd definitely try to get my hands on a reel with it. Quote
Super User webertime Posted January 27, 2020 Super User Posted January 27, 2020 Get a BG2500 and be done with it. Little heavy bit will balance the rod better. 1 Quote
RFSims Posted January 27, 2020 Posted January 27, 2020 On 1/25/2020 at 5:36 PM, MN Fisher said: Ya - a Pflueger 30 is about a 2000, a 35 a little smaller than a 3000 but bigger than a 2500 Being old getting arthritis in my hands (everywhere) I have also been eyeballing a reel's weight. A Pfluger President 35 weighs 10.5 oz (gave two to my son) a Shimano Nassi 2500 and 3000 both weigh 8.8 oz. Pfluger President 30 (have one, probably best spinning reel value on the planet) 8.5 oz. Bought a Pfluger Supreme XT 30 which is light, Somehow I broke the rotor body and bail on this reel. Repair shop has been waiting since late October for the parts and doesn't know if they will get any. Reel is less than one year old and can't get parts. I have gone to Diawa Fuego LT 2500 @ 7.2 oz. Fuego also blows the Pfluger Supreme away. I have never broken the reel foot on a nonmetal spinning reel. Although a 22lb carp is the largest fresh water fish I have caught on a bass size spinning reel. Quote
Dangerfield Posted January 27, 2020 Posted January 27, 2020 As others have mentioned, using braid and reels with graphite frame/stem - I would backoff on your drag. This was a big concern for me as I use all my gear for bass and pike. We regularly hook into large pike out bass fishing and I wanted the right tool for the job. BUT I also wanted light gear. Before I landed on the Fuego, I checked out a lot of reel reviews to determine what the gear was made out of.. brass, mix alloy etc. On top of that, a number of reviews have those lower end Daiwa reels (Legalis, Exceller, Fuego) that aren't made of Zaion have their frames flex or the stem bend. I've heard there's even some flex in the Tatula's under heavy load. I have the same problem with my Sedona. So, plan is to go easy on the drag knowing there's a high potential for flexing, if I lock it down to tight. 1 Quote
5/0 Posted January 27, 2020 Author Posted January 27, 2020 Thanks everyone for your advice and information! I’ve taken it all into consideration and ran it by an acquaintance. I’ll be giving the Shimano Nasci a try when I get my next reel. Joe 3 Quote
Dangerfield Posted January 27, 2020 Posted January 27, 2020 2 minutes ago, 5/0 said: Thanks everyone for your advice and information! I’ve taken it all into consideration and ran it by an acquaintance. I’ll be giving the Shimano Nasci a try when I get my next reel. Joe Good choice! They're tried and true reels and pretty d**n smooth for the price point. I forget the differences but a Sahara is the exact same reel save for a few components 3 Quote
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