Is there a reel brand that you have never had any trouble out of?

[NavyVet1204]

Whether in years or use, have you or do you own a reel that has never given you a single second of trouble? I ask because I just realized out of my six baitcasters(not specifically asking on bc’s) the only two I haven’t had trouble out of are my Daiwas. Both are the Tatula 100’s. Both of my lews and both of my Abu’s have given me some headaches, but my Tatulas haven’t given me a single bit of trouble both in function and dialing in. They are surely my first two choices in a grab and go circumstance as I have them setup for T-Rig and Shakey head. 
 

To be brutally honest, I think I avoid using my Lews reels on purpose due to noisy gearing and possibly the most difficult reels  to get dialed in. Abus aren’t noisy but they are the Revo SX flavors and that side plate popping off issue is very nerve racking.

Edit: I’m not a poster child for Daiwa it’s just my experience with the brand thus far. My specific reels are:

 

1) Lews tournament SLP(noisy cast and retrieve internally that I would liken to a weed eater lol)

2) Lews Mach Crush combo(very good setup when it isn’t being finicky)

3) Revo SX(side plate popping off)

4) Revo ALX(much more forgiving on the side plate issue, but it’s there)

5+6) Daiwa Tatula 100’s- great so far.

[Choporoz]

No.

 

 

[Schuyler co]

Never an issue with my Lews Tournament Pro...and I’ve fished the heck out of it. Recently purchased another one, hopefully the newer model is as good to me as well. 

[Russ E]

Had a few issues with every brand.

Diawa has the least of all my reels. 

[NavyVet1204]

Just now, Russ E said:

Had a few issues with every brand.

Diawa has the least of all my reels. 

Maybe I just haven’t had immediate issues with mine yet.

[J Francho]

Specific reels or brands in general?  I have one reel that has had zero issues.  It remains in the box it came in, and was never used.  

[NavyVet1204]

1 minute ago, J Francho said:

Specific reels or brands in general?  I have one reel that has had zero issues.  It remains in the box it came in, and was never used.  

Either or.

[bulldog1935]

Many people on this forum won't consider buying a 5+ ounce reel.  

But the weight wars between the manufacturers pretty much create the issues you guys complain about.  Stainless steel gears don't wear, they just work-harden.  

My longest-and-hardest-service Lew's Super Duty G doesn't get a complaint, and my bronze-geared long-lived Tica spinners will probably out-fish every other reel I own. 

 

 

[J Francho]

2 minutes ago, NavyVet1204 said:

Either or.

I have a Kastking Assassin that has never been serviced, beyond a drop of oil on the spool bearings, but only when they started squealing.  It's been intentionally left out in the rain, soaking underwater, dropped, and treated with a disregard that most reels would never see. I've caught a ton of fish with it, including some pretty big mud sharks (spawning run king salmon) that usually burn up the gears and drag, along with the typical northern pike, bass, and drum.  I would have never thought it would hold up, but it has, and I still use it.  I really tried to kill it because it seemed like a too good to be true deal for $70.  I remember when it came out, some here called it a plastic piece of junk.  Indeed.  I have some Daiwa TD-X and OG Zillions that are 10-20 years old that are still in use with good maintenance.  A few Shimano Chronarch E series work as new.  There are several from Pinnacle and Okuma that are flawless after years of use.  I have run into to almost no reels that have just totally failed, and even then they were sub $100 reels and well used.

[cdlittle]

When it comes to baitcasters, I've never had an issue with my six Daiwas or my one Shimano.

 

As far as spinning reels, I've only had a problem with one super cheap Daiwa that had a terrible drag, but it was a $30 reel that I bought for my wife to see if she even liked fishing. 

 

I've had reels that didn't feel smooth, but that's not a "problem" per se. I used to be a big proponent of Pflueger spinning reels for those looking for a reel under $75. But now, as crazy as it sounds, I think Okuma owns that space. I have six Okuma spinning reels (mix of Alaris', Avenger's, and Epixor's) and all of them are smoother than any Shimano/Daiwa spinning reel under $75. That I've tried at least. 

 

Anywho, sorry for rambling, but only issue I had was with a cheapo $30 Daiwa. 

[NavyVet1204]

11 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I have a Kastking Assassin that has never been serviced, beyond a drop of oil on the spool bearings, but only when they started squealing.  It's been intentionally left out in the rain, soaking underwater, dropped, and treated with a disregard that most reels would never see. I've caught a ton of fish with it, including some pretty big mud sharks (spawning run king salmon) that usually burn up the gears and drag, along with the typical northern pike, bass, and drum.  I would have never thought it would hold up, but it has, and I still use it.  I really tried to kill it because it seemed like a too good to be true deal for $70.  I remember when it came out, some here called it a plastic piece of junk.  Indeed.  I have some Daiwa TD-X and OG Zillions that are 10-20 years old that are still in use with good maintenance.  A few Shimano Chronarch E series work as new.  There are several from Pinnacle and Okuma that are flawless after years of use.  I have run into to almost no reels that have just totally failed, and even then they were sub $100 reels and well used.

Weird that you mention KastKing because my next reel is most likely going to be one. Normally I stick to what works/has been working for me and you would think with my previous post that Daiwa would be it. However, I have literally heard a ton of good things about KK reels and am itching to try one.

[E-rude dude]

Even $500 reels have issues. It’s your money.

 

Best advice I can give is go to tacklewarehouse.com and click on top sellers. Those probably will give you the least headaches.

I also do that when I’m looking for a new bait to use. People are buying them for some reason.

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-SHOPTSREEL.html?from=basres

 

 

[Deplorable Fisherman]

14 minutes ago, J Francho said:

There are several from Pinnacle and Okuma that are flawless after years of use. 

My friend is still using the Pinnacle Deadbolt I gave him. What a great spinning reel. 

[dodgeguy]

Never had a problem with a Pflueger or a Lew's

[TnRiver46]

Does knocking it out of a rod holder with a kayak paddle count as an “issue?”

[Born 2 fish]

No

[Spankey]

I really have not had issues with Shimano. Nothing I could not rebuild or repair myself. I did have an issue with a new Nasci back a few years ago. Something I didn’t like within the first hour of use with but they replaced it. 
 

I’m using a few Abu Garcia Revos now days and I’m 110%+ satisfied with them. 
 

Never really had much in the way of reel problems. 

[fishballer06]

Granted, I only own Shimano and Daiwa, but none of my reels have ever had an issue that wasn't basic maintenance related. Things like a drop of oil on a brake drum or a bearing, or a dirty line pawl/worm gear. 

 

But again, whether you buy a Honda or a Maserati, they all need an oil change and fresh wiper blades every so often. 

[J Francho]

36 minutes ago, NavyVet1204 said:

Weird that you mention KastKing because my next reel is most likely going to be one. Normally I stick to what works/has been working for me and you would think with my previous post that Daiwa would be it. However, I have literally heard a ton of good things about KK reels and am itching to try one.

That reel was sent to me back when they were a new sponsor.  There was so much unfounded internet hatred for them, I wanted to try and prove them "right" by ruining it in the most ridiculous way.  Turns out, it was nearly indestructible.  I say nearly, because another former moderator actually ran his over with his truck, and that did it in, lol.  

[DogBone_384]

I own and have owned ***, Shimano, Diawa, BPS, Abu, Lews, and Pfleuger and have never had any problems with them.  My favorites are Diawa and ***.

 

I clean and maintain my baitcasters religiously, and do little with my spinning reels.

[MiceNReets]

56 minutes ago, cdlittle said:

When it comes to baitcasters, I've never had an issue with my six Daiwas or my one Shimano.

 

As far as spinning reels, I've only had a problem with one super cheap Daiwa that had a terrible drag, but it was a $30 reel that I bought for my wife to see if she even liked fishing. 

 

I've had reels that didn't feel smooth, but that's not a "problem" per se. I used to be a big proponent of Pflueger spinning reels for those looking for a reel under $75. But now, as crazy as it sounds, I think Okuma owns that space. I have six Okuma spinning reels (mix of Alaris', Avenger's, and Epixor's) and all of them are smoother than any Shimano/Daiwa spinning reel under $75. That I've tried at least. 

 

Anywho, sorry for rambling, but only issue I had was with a cheapo $30 Daiwa. 

The Okuma Helios baitcasting reels are bulletproof. ?? 

[928JLH]

No issues with Daiwa.

[Mike L]

BPS Pro Qualifier 

Curado E

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[swhit140]

I've never had a issue with Daiwa or Shimano reel. 

I have a older Abu spinning reel that has worked good with no complaints. 

**Worst reel experience was a Quantum reel, reel didn't last a season of use**

 

[Spankey]

11 minutes ago, Mike L said:

BPS Pro Qualifier 

Curado E

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

I want to start off by saying I am NOT the frog fisherman among frog fisherman.  But I use a BPS Pro Qualifier 2 for this purpose. Was cheap during BPS Spring Fling a few years back. I wanted a setup for just this and didn’t want to spend a lot. Basically my only braid outfit.