Spinning reel under 250-300

[PBBrandon]

For my birthday my girlfriend surprised me by saying she will give me 125 bucks to spend at bass pro lol. Looking to upgrade the reel on my spinning setup. I currently run a 2500 Fuego LT on a Kaden 712s for ned rigs, shakeyheads, rooster tails, and the occasional dropshot

Currently my top options are the Tatula LT, Vanford, Sustain and the Stradic FL. However, I could get a Procyon AL LT for 120 at tackle warehouse right now and get something else at bass pro. If anyone has opinions on the Procyon I’d love to hear them.

thanks everyone for your help

[Columbia Craw]

Time for the wrench in the gears.  Daiwa Caldia 3000 from Digitaka or 2500 I guess.  It’s an MQ body.  

[roadwarrior]

Shimano Stradic or Vanford. I bought the Stradic.

[Randy Price]

1 hour ago, roadwarrior said:

Shimano Stradic or Vanford. I bought the Stradic.

I have been fishing Stradic's since my 2000 Stradic FG and never had any issues.

[Reel]

There is a new reel from Shimano that you might like (very much).  Take a look at the Miravel !

[king fisher]

Don't spend all the money on a reel.  Save a little and use it to buy her something.  Then next year she may give you enough money for a rod too.

[thunderblack]

I bought a new sustain 2500 and its really nice! 

[Darth-Baiter]

32 minutes ago, king fisher said:

Don't spend all the money on a reel.  Save a little and use it to buy her something.  Then next year she may give you enough money for a rod too.

casanova!!  this is professional relationship advice!!  at least the first half...:)  dont jockey for a better position.  hahah..

 

of your list, i have both the Procyon AL and Vanford, both 2500 series.  the Vanford is clearly wonderful, but there is no denying that the Procyon doesnt leave much on the table either.  i love that thing, the procyon.  i would argue it has the most bass catches of all my reels.  no single hiccup.  it is heavier so on that Kaden, i think the Vanford would be a better balance..and it matches color-wise.  but i ran the Procyon on that exact Kaden for a little bit and it was fine.  the Procyon fits and balances better on my Phenix Maxim so that is where it lives now.  

 

EDIT:  i have the Tatula LT 2500 as well, but i have only taken a single bass on it on one day of fishing, so i cant give it an honest review yet.  but it has also been fine.  that one bass hated it.  i bought it when my VAnford broke under my watch.  it is on a truck coming back so i will be spinning reel rich in a few days.  one of them will have to go into storage for a bit.  

[Boomstick]

My higher end spinning reel is a Tatula LT in the 2000 size. Very happy with it, super light, great drag etc. would definitely recommend.

[waymont]

Tatula LT 3000

[J._Bricker]

I just recently purchased a JDM Shimano 20 Vanford C3000HG @PBBrandon, that’s well below your price point on eBay.  When the box arrived a couple days later, the box was so light I didn’t believe there was a reel inside ?. All I can say is the Vanford is very smooth, in my opinion very light and I’ll be getting another. Between the above mentioned reels from Shimano and Daiwa, you’ll be getting a very good reel. Good luck with your decision

[NYWayfarer]

My vote is for the Vanford. Super light and super smooth. 

[Revival]

2 hours ago, NYWayfarer said:

My vote is for the Vanford. Super light and super smooth. 

This

[NavyToad]

19 hours ago, Columbia Craw said:

Time for the wrench in the gears.  Daiwa Caldia 3000 from Digitaka or 2500 I guess.  It’s an MQ body.  

I have 3 of the older models. My brother fishes Stradics, and I’ll take a Caldia any day.

[Columbia Craw]

Arrived today.

[PBBrandon]

Thanks everyone for your answers, I think I am leaning Vanford right now with Tatula and Stradic as backup plans if bass pro doesn’t have them.

5 hours ago, Columbia Craw said:

Arrived today.

let me know how it fishes, that is one sweet looking reel wow

[PBBrandon]

After going back and forth I settled on a Tatula. The Stradic was just a tad bit heavy, and while I like the Vanford, the Tatula just felt better overall. They weigh the same and both have low startup inertia, Tatula just feels a tad smoother and for 50 bucks less all I’m really losing out on is the X-protect and the long stroke spool. Other than that they felt really similar and I’m happy with the Tatula

[J._Bricker]

Glad you’re happy with Tatula @PBBrandon, very good reel. Earlier in this thread I mentioned getting another Vanford, I ordered it Saturday from asianportal and it arrived yesterday afternoon. It’s just incredible the number of very nice affordable reels that are available to us right now….

[JustJames]

On 7/31/2022 at 2:05 PM, PBBrandon said:

After going back and forth I settled on a Tatula. The Stradic was just a tad bit heavy, and while I like the Vanford, the Tatula just felt better overall. They weigh the same and both have low startup inertia, Tatula just feels a tad smoother and for 50 bucks less all I’m really losing out on is the X-protect and the long stroke spool. Other than that they felt really similar and I’m happy with the Tatula

Tatula feel smoother and less inertia  than Vanford for me (2000 size). Just to give you pieces of mind, Shimano long stroke spool is nothing, they are about the same length as Daiwa (compare 2000 size). My Tatula (Kage) went into water about 30 seconds, I cleaned it way later and no sign of water damage. The grease inside still clear and crystal.