What’s your favorite reel brands?

[NavyVet1204]

5 hours ago, Spankey said:

Same for me for the most part. But pretty much a Shimano guy. This mom and pop shop is where I buy most of my reels from is stocked well with them. I've been way more than satisfied with the last few Abu Garcia reels over the last couples of years. I have them on Abu Rods and they pair up well.

I know exactly what you mean! I have a Revo SX on a Vendetta 7’MHF and it is amazing!

[Bluebasser86]

Use to be all Shimano with some Pflueger spinning reels in the mix. Since Pflueger sold out and quality went downhill, and Shimanos mid range quality seemed to be slipping, I tried Daiwa. Now most of my reels are Daiwa. I have a few Okumas I like, a few KastKing that do their job, some older Pfluegers that are still hanging on, and 2 Shimano swimbait slingers.

[Basseditor]

I’ve liked a lot of different brands since my first Abu (1963). But I committed to Daiwa a few years ago because I like to play with different spools, bearings, etc. With one brand I can keep a smaller stock of parts.

 

I have more than 60 Daiwa bait cast reels now. I’m relatively new to customizing reels so I wish I had started sooner before the ZPI spools were gone. I have ZPI spools I’ve been trying in different reels. I bought two used reels that have ZPI spools in them, just to get the spools. 

 

I love the Elite  P/F I just tried, but I have Steez and Zillions too. There are three more models I want still, one is the new Alphas. But I’m placing myself in buying hiatus until I sell some I don’t use.

[ATA]

Shimano, G-Loomis, St.Croix

[ike8120]

Kastking

[TcRoc]

Daiwa and Shimano . 

[NOC 1]

Let's see....Casting reels, 19 Daiwa, 4 KK, 3 Abu, 1 Pflueger....so I'd have to say Daiwa. I like Shimano too, it's just that when I need a reel, it seems like there is a Daiwa just right for the need so it's easier to stay in the comfort zone.

 

Spinning reels...9 Pflueger, 1 Daiwa, 1 KK...Here I have no doubt that I prefer Daiwa and Shimano, but yet have mostly Pfueger which is more of an indication of my lack of priority for spinning gear in general. The Pfueger stuff has served me well in spite of it all being the cheaper stuff like President and Trion.

 

Going forward, now that I have my casting stuff well situated, I plan on upgrading some of my spinning gear and will be buying Shimano and Daiwa I think.

 

 

[Randy Price]

14 hours ago, optimator said:

Shimano & Daiwa. 

@optimator, Yep me too.

[NHBull]

On the high end it’s all Shimano for me. ( Bantam, Antares, Met MGL, Calcutta Conquest,)

In the mid range, it’s a coin toss.

Spinning is Shimano.

[waymont]

7 hours ago, ATA said:

Shimano, G-Loomis, St.Croix

Been liking those Loomis and st croix reels?

[Bankc]

I think each brand has good and bad models.  I have no loyalty or preference to brand.  I just define what I'm looking for in a reel, set a budget, and then look to see what my options are.  From there, I do a lot of research and go for the one that best meets my requirements.  

 

I've owned pretty much everything but a Lew's. I haven't had a bad reel yet.  And I haven't avoided Lew's.  I just keep finding reels that better fit my needs in other brands.  Like last month when I was heavily considering a Lew's Tournament MP, when I got my hands on a BPS Pro Qualifier 2.  They're basically the same reel, but the PQ2 was significantly cheaper, especially with the cost of a new rod thrown in.  It has less drag, but I figured I wouldn't really need 20 lbs. of drag, and if I did, I could upgrade the drag later on down the road, and still come out ahead, money-wise.  

[MN Fisher]

Spinning: Mitchell and Pflueger - been using both brands for 40+ years and haven't had a reason to change.

Baitcasting: Pflueger and Diawa - both have been solid for me so far...time will tell.

[Mobasser]

For years I used round ABU reels, 4600c and 5500c. Now I'm using low profile Qauntum, and Lews. Both are good. For spinning, I like Shimano overall

[wisconsin heat]

14 hours ago, Mr Swim Jig said:

I prefer Daiwa rods and reels...my favorite reel is the Abu Garcia Skeet Reese reel....still have 4 of them stored in their boxes....

I'm with you. I like my Daiwa reels best. I especially think they are doing a great job in the entry-level spinning reel market. I'd say I like Daiwa, Shimano, then Abu, then it's everyone else.

 

Like you my favorite reel is a Revo-SKT. Party because it is a smooth tank of a reel, partly because it has sentimental value. That reel was a pleasant surprise birthday gift from my parents when I was young. They aren't exactly made of money, and knowing how much that reel retailed for, it meant a lot to receive that from them. It's still my favorite reel.

[Eric 26]

Like many others I have a mixed bag of each spinning and casting.13 fishing, abu,bps,Daiwa,kk,Piscifun ,Shimano and quantum but my two favorites (both spinning reels) are an old Daiwa and a old ryobi given to me by my older brother when he saw me getting back into fishing. Tragically he passed several years ago(construction accident) but those reels will stay in my rotation until I’m unable to fish any longer 51 yrs old now.

[r83srock]

Right now I’m rocking Shimano reels. I do like Daiwa and Abu baitcasters, as well as pfluger spinning.

[Kevhead19]

Casting: Daiwa and Doyo (BPS Carbonlite / JM Platinum)

 

Spinning: Daiwa and Pfluegar 

[ATA]

6 hours ago, waymont said:

Been liking those Loomis and st croix reels?

Sorry, I don't know why I read Favorite ROD.

 

OK my answer is SHIMANO REELS only.

[Bankbeater]

Shimano, Abu, Pflueger, and Daiwa. 

[new2BC4bass]

19 hours ago, basseditor said:

I’ve liked a lot of different brands since my first Abu (1963). But I committed to Daiwa a few years ago because I like to play with different spools, bearings, etc. With one brand I can keep a smaller stock of parts.

 

I have more than 60 Daiwa bait cast reels now. I’m relatively new to customizing reels so I wish I had started sooner before the ZPI spools were gone. I have ZPI spools I’ve been trying in different reels. I bought two used reels that have ZPI spools in them, just to get the spools. 

 

I love the Elite  P/F I just tried, but I have Steez and Zillions too. There are three more models I want still, one is the new Alphas. But I’m placing myself in buying hiatus until I sell some I don’t use.

And I thought I had a boatload at 47.  But I didn't get started until 2009.  Don't think I will live long enough to catch you tho. 

[iabass8]

There is not a higher quality and meticulously engineered reel than a Linnhue or a Jitai.

[NYWayfarer]

I like Lew’s baitcasters and spinning reels. My Pro TI, Tournament MB, LFS, Custom Pro and Speed Spin see the most time in my rotation.

 

I have lots of reels from other companies I love. Shimano, Daiwa, Pflueger and Kastking.

[SeaCrow]

Daiwa, Abu Garcia and I have some old open face Penn reels I really like. Penn was popular when I was younger and that was pretty much what I used. Of course probably like most people, my first reel was a Zebco 33 about 40 years ago.

[EWREX]

pflueger spinning reels and daiwa casting reels. i do have a quantum vapor pt mixed in that i really enjoy

[waymont]

Daiwa

Shimano

 

All I use.