Go to spinning reel brand. best value

[bassinyea]

I have used about every brand of spinning reel over the years known to man and woman.  Just wondered what brand do you feel is on top of the game right now?  I am sure Daiwa will come up quite often.  Reason why I ask this is because I am looking to move away from all of my lews spinning reels.  I really enjoy their baitcasters, but completely unimpressed with their highest end spinning reel offerings.  Each year or 2 they offer a new spinning reel in the 120 dollar range and each time I think that its gonna be the one.  So far its not been even close.  What are some of your guys suggestions as far as value for the money.  I have an okuma rtx that I use for light inshore and bass and I have loved that reel.

[JediAmoeba]

Shimano or Daiwa - take your pick.  Go to a shop and put one on your favorite rod and see which one you like best.  I think it's very important, especially with spinning reels, to see how you like the feel and balance on the rod it will be used with... 

 

[NYWayfarer]

Before you leave Lew’s you might want to try the $59.99 Speed Spin. It’s my favorite spinning reel right now. I like it better than my Custom Pro, Mach Crush and Mach 2 spinning reels.

 

It impressed me so much I bought another one. I paid full retail for a 200 and 300 size and I never pay full price for anything.

 

I like every thing about this reel even the silver and gray color that seems to go with every rod I have. The handle is the best part to me. It never gets loose unlike the screw on knob types I have come to dislike. It’s smooth and the drag was able to handle a 5+ pound Largemouth fight with 8# line.

[Jig Man]

My go to is Shimano.  I have them in 3 sizes and 3 or 4 models.  I don’t know how many I have but I normally keep 10 in the boat.

[jimmyjoe]

   One of the most important factors for me is reliability, with longevity being a close 2nd. To sort that out, I ask people who repair reels. I ask independents, not the factory people, because I sometimes think the factory people are told to push a certain model line. Maybe not, but that's the impression I have.

   See what they say, and then apply your own ideas of weight, comfort, cosmetics and line management from there on.

   Good luck!     ?     jj

 

[ImThatGuy]

2 hours ago, NYWayfarer said:

Before you leave Lew’s you might want to try the $59.99 Speed Spin. It’s my favorite spinning reel right now. I like it better than my Custom Pro, Mach Crush and Mach 2 spinning reels.

 

It impressed me so much I bought another one. I paid full retail for a 200 and 300 size and I never pay full price for anything.

 

I like every thing about this reel even the silver and gray color that seems to go with every rod I have. The handle is the best part to me. It never gets loose unlike the screw on knob types I have come to dislike. It’s smooth and the drag was able to handle a 5+ pound Largemouth fight with 8# line.

Agree this reel is a great value.  If you do not mind graphite, it is very solid.  I keep finding myself reaching for it over reels double the price.

[bassinyea]

thanks for all the replies.  Due to the inshore salt use I prefer to stay with a reel that has a carbon fiber drag and an aluminum or carbon fiber body, not graphite.  Occasionally can hook into a good sized drum and they will tax your equipment, especially a 30 sized reel.  

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Each brand has worthy models as well as some disappointing ones. Bang for the buck wise Pflueger still has some bargains. Shimano AR is the best, Daiwa’s air bail I like. Weights are easily found if that’s important. 

[soflabasser]

Shimano and Penn

[Stephen B]

4 hours ago, NYWayfarer said:

Before you leave Lew’s you might want to try the $59.99 Speed Spin. It’s my favorite spinning reel right now. I like it better than my Custom Pro, Mach Crush and Mach 2 spinning reels.

 

It impressed me so much I bought another one. I paid full retail for a 200 and 300 size and I never pay full price for anything.

 

I like every thing about this reel even the silver and gray color that seems to go with every rod I have. The handle is the best part to me. It never gets loose unlike the screw on knob types I have come to dislike. It’s smooth and the drag was able to handle a 5+ pound Largemouth fight with 8# line.

I would go with Daiwa Revros, Regal, or Exceler over the Speed Spin

[new2BC4bass]

I lean towards Daiwa.  The BG isn't the lightest but is a great reel for the money....or even more.  Have a 16 EM MS 2508PE-H on the way.  Got it off ebay for less than the price of a BG.  Gave a brother-in-law a Revros a few years ago.  He is still using it with no complaints.

 

Never used an Okuma spinning reel, but have always felt I got good value for my money with the few baitcasters I have purchased.  The RTX has gotten good reviews on here.  Nice looking reel, too.  Ebay has the RTX-30 for $75.10 with free shipping if you'd like another.

 

 

[Diggy]

I have nothing but Pfluegers because they were all on clearance at my local DSG. When you are picking up their $200 Patriarch model for $70 bucks and others (Supreme Xt and Arbor) for a fraction of the price, it's hard not to buy them. I don't even fish them since I favor casting gear, but they were too good to pass up. They are usually loaners for my friend's that want to fish since many of them don't have gear. They have been smooth and reliable so far, from my little use and theirs.

[MN Fisher]

Of my five spinning reels, four are Pfluegers and the one on my wishlist for Yule is a Pflueger. I've had nothing but good luck with Pfluegers since my first one - a 640 - bought back in the 70s.

[king fisher]

If you are going to use the reel in salt water, as well as fresh water, I would get a Diawa BG.  By far the  best salt water spinning reel for the money.  If you want to spend more, than both Shimano and Penn make good reels in a higher price range.

[the reel ess]

I have three Plfuegers. Good value. Check the saltwater compatibility before you use in salt.

[ike8120]

I like my KK Sharky lll's budget friendly.

[MassYak85]

1 hour ago, new2BC4bass said:

I lean towards Daiwa.  The BG isn't the lightest but is a great reel for the money....or even more. 

I fished Pflueger Presidents for probably 10 years and got a BG a couple years back. I still keep a president as a backup reel cause they're pretty hardy especially for the price, but man the BG feels like a mini tank and it's really smooth. 

[Fishin Dad]

6 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Each brand has worthy models as well as some disappointing ones. Bang for the buck wise Pflueger still has some bargains. Shimano AR is the best, Daiwa’s air bail I like. Weights are easily found if that’s important. 

Hey DVT, I really respect your knowledge and expertise through working on reels, dealing with companies.  I have read a lot of your posts.  With this knowledge, what reel would you recommend in this $100 range or so.  I am not sure what the Shimano AR is.  
 

Thanks in advance.  

[Fin S]

Daiwa Regal.

[Boomstick]

A lot of of people use and love Shimano spinning reels, but I wouldn't call them the best bang for the buck. I would say that many Pflueger offerings are a better value, but I think it'll be tough to beat the Daiwa BG in terms of total value. Smooth reel and a drag system that can compete with much higher end reels, the only catch is the extra weight but that doesn't bother me. They're also known to hold up exceptionally well.

[Efishin]

Daiwa for sure! IMO Daiwa and Shimano are the only brands in the reel industry

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

50 minutes ago, Fishin Dad said:

Hey DVT, I really respect your knowledge and expertise through working on reels, dealing with companies.  I have read a lot of your posts.  With this knowledge, what reel would you recommend in this $100 range or so.  I am not sure what the Shimano AR is.  
 

Thanks in advance.  

I was referring to the Anti Reverse in Shimano’s reels. $100 is a generous budget for a quality reel among any of the name brands. Just compare features to see what appeals to you personally. 

[soflabasser]

6 hours ago, king fisher said:

If you are going to use the reel in salt water, as well as fresh water, I would get a Diawa BG.  By far the  best salt water spinning reel for the money.  If you want to spend more, than both Shimano and Penn make good reels in a higher price range.

I use my reels for both freshwater and saltwater fishing so I prefer using Shimano and Penn reels. I learned long ago that it is better to invest in higher quality reels for the type of fishing I do. Higher quality reels tend to be more corrosion resistant and have better gears that can last longer. I do have moderately priced reels which I use for freshwater fishing since bass do not fight much and the freshwater is much more forgiving on the reel compared to saltwater.

[FishTank]

The Penn Battle use to be a good reel for salt but I have not used one in a few years and can not speak for the new versions. 

[zell_pop1]

Pflueger Supreme xt is the best spinning reel under $150. Daiwa BG is the best under $100.