Looking for recommendations on a spinning reel

[bulldog1935]

15 hours ago, mrpao said:

Nobody has asked but what rod is this new reel going on?

That would make a difference in what to choose.

Also, with these being finesse techniques, a lighter reel will definitely feel better in hand.

While this is true to some extent, spinning reel mass is perfectly centered in your rod grip hand, with the weight underneath, so reel weight is less of a factor as long as you're in the correct reel size range.  

I fish 4 finesse spinning rods with reels from 5.0 to 7.4 ounces, Vanquish C2000S to Tica Libra SX1500 on the weight extremes, with Stradic C1000S in the middle.  I don't notice a difference on the reel weight.  

The rods are 2.6 oz to 3.5 oz.  

While it seems natural to have the lightest Vanquish on the lightest Yamaga Blanks rod, the middle weight rods with the heaviest Tica, and the heaviest Black Hole rod with the mid-weight Stradic work just as well, and I have caught the most fish on the latter.  

 

What I think matters most for finesse spin fishing is having low gearing - IPS below 30", and especially, good balance over the handle rotation - I've gone to all counter-balanced or lightweight double handles.  Of course, you have to go to JDM to get low gearing (except for the 4.6-geared Tica).  

This Stradic C1000S with cobbled double handle is my finesse champ.  

[Drew03cmc]

I love both of my Stradics. I have a 2500 CI4+ and a 2500 FL. They're both great for what I use them for, Super Flukes, Ned rigs, Neko rigs, hair jigs, small jerk baits, small poppers, etc. I have the FL on my St. Croix LTB 6'8 MXF and the CI4 on an Avid 6'9" MLXF. 

[Surfcaster79]

Van Staal!!! 

[bulldog1935]

Of course that was a wee-hours-druke joke, but fully sealed, benchmade salt reels are especially for NE surf fishing, where you're constantly being washed in fine-sand slurry.  

The Shimano-at-any-low-cost crowd on this forum would never put up with one, because they are the polar opposite  from finesse and smooth - all you feel through the drive are the stiff rubber seals. 

My buddy decided he needed fully sealed IRT spinning reels for inshore fishing, and they've given him fits - excess spool capacity and poor factory spool shimming combined on him one day to ball up his reel, shut him down, and send him to the barn.  Even his baitcaster that day, the palm side plate came off mid cast  and that reel balled up, too.  

The rest of us had a pretty good day, fishing the storm tide right after TS Beta.  

[ATA]

On 4/23/2021 at 7:54 AM, hokiehunter373 said:

Daiwa BG

this one I am agree, will do the job.

I got two 8000 size just now, So many swears by them, Also for your budget you can even go Daiwa BG MQ which is improved BG.

[inferiorfisherman]

I have purchased a few in the price range in the last 12 months.  Here is what I purchased.

 

Stradic FL 2500

Stradic FL 3000
Vanford 1000

Vanford 500

Vanford 3000

Tatula Lt 1000

 

Here is my take after getting to use them all several times.  

Stradic FL
Amazingly smooth and just rock solid.  Feels like it can really take a lot of abuse and some truly monster fish.  This is the reel I want if I need a spinning reel that can horse a fish in.  It is light enough in the hand, but heavier than the carbon options for sure.  It takes a bit more effort to turn the handle than the other options as well due to the heavier rotor, but once spinning it is incredibly smooth.  I prefer the 3000 over the 2500 because 3000 has carbon drag.  Spools are interchangeable between the 2500 and 3000, so I bought a few extra 3000 spools.  These would work just fine for a dropshot rig as well.  Pairs best with longer rod for balance.  These go with me everywhere along with my travel rods.  They go on flights, inshore fishing, kayak fishing, bank fishing.  

 

Vanford

Expensive.  Super light weight and also very smooth.  You can feel it "operating" a bit more than the Stradic FL, but I think it is because the carbon body transmits a bit more of it into your hand.  Where the Vanford excels is the initial start up of the handle.  It feels as if you could blow on the knob and the handle would turn.  Very finesse feeling.  This is currently on my dropshot rod which is a dobyns 742SF FH.  Honestly the Stradic Fl balances better with the long rod, but the performance of this reel seems to match this fishing style the best.  It balances well enough that it doesn't bother me.  However, I have the full handle version of the rod so it was pretty well balanced without the reel.  If I had a more tip heavy rod to pair it with I probably would not choose the Vanford.  Turning the reel handle to close the bail all of the Vanfords  brings about a sensation of graphite rubbing on graphite.  I don't enjoy that feeling and I am hoping it goes away when they break in.

 

Tatula LT

This reel is great.  I put it in between the Stradic and Vanford as far as performance.  It feels heavier duty than the Vanford but less so than the Stradic.  It weighs in between the other 2 models.  It is just as smooth as the other 2.  Initial reeling effort is also right between the others.   The Tatula is the best value of the 3.  I did not pay more than 170 for them.  This is why my next reel will be  another tatula 3000 (shallow spool) as and upgrade for my current medium action setup.  

 

Vanfords are very nice, but not worth the price over the Tatula IMO.  The operation of the Tatula feels a bit more refined than the vanford.  The tatula is only slightly heavier than the Vanford.  I would choose the tatula over the Vanford for every situation other than when I needed an ultra light setup for my crappie fishing.  I would choose the Stradic any time I was using a rod that was a MH or above,  I was fishing salt water, or I expected the reel would get banged around a lot.  
 

[JustJames]

3 minutes ago, inferiorfisherman said:

Vanfords are very nice, but not worth the price over the Tatula IMO.  The operation of the Tatula feels a bit more refined than the vanford.  The tatula is only slightly heavier than the Vanford.  I would choose the tatula over the Vanford for every situation other than when I needed an ultra light setup for my crappie fishing.  I would choose the Stradic any time I was using a rod that was a MH or above,  I was fishing salt water, or I expected the reel would get banged around a lot.  
 

Almost agree on everything you said above, I would use Tatula for crappie if it comes in slower gear ratio. In fact I wouldn’t buy either Vanford or ballistic FW if Tatula come with more gear ration option.

If above Tatula I would look for Ballistic FW, but that reel is JDM so I wouldn’t want to recommend it. Vanford, though offer a piece of mind for X protect where Tatula got no protection but it doesn’t really matter much in fresh water unless you plan to use the reels for years without maintenance.

[garroyo130]

1 hour ago, ATA said:

Daiwa BG MQ which is improved BG.

 

Ive heard the only real difference is a one piece body which makes servicing it yourself near impossible. 

[JustJames]

1 hour ago, garroyo130 said:

 

Ive heard the only real difference is a one piece body which makes servicing it yourself near impossible. 

Not really as long as you have the special tool  to open side plate. That special tool is very hard to find but I think there might be some smart handy man make it available. I saw one you tube that DIY some metal tube to fit Daiwa side plate.

[ATA]

6 hours ago, garroyo130 said:

Ive heard the only real difference is a one piece body which makes servicing it yourself near impossible. 

good point, but hey it feel different for that body, also the look is cooler in my idea.

[Pogues2300]

Tatula lt 3000. Had it for a couple years and love it. 

[E-rude dude]

I’ve used Pfleuger forever with no complaints from Trion up to Supreme XT. The President is a nice reel for the price. Trion is more panfish grade. Supreme XT is flawless for everything.