Best spinning reels under $150?

[ironbjorn]

4 hours ago, MickD said:

Those who love the Nasci evidently don't miss the switch, because it doesn't appear to have one.

No need with modern drag systems, which is what you're really paying for the higher in price you go.

[MickD]

1 hour ago, ironbjorn said:

No need with modern drag systems,

Drag has nothing to do with it.  When I've reeled too far up, I can switch the anti reverse off and let a little line out.  So much easier than pulling against a drag.  Whether the reel has a great drag or not, doesn't have anything to do with the convenience of what I'm talking about .  

[Columbia Craw]

Well, once again members here have provided a list of viable options that the OP can take into consideration.  There is not a single model mentioned that is not a great product.  

[ironbjorn]

1 hour ago, MickD said:

Drag has nothing to do with it.  When I've reeled too far up, I can switch the anti reverse off and let a little line out.  So much easier than pulling against a drag.  Whether the reel has a great drag or not, doesn't have anything to do with the convenience of what I'm talking about .  

A vast majority of the time the context is about back reeling. Sorry for assuming.

[bulldog1935]

17 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

https://www.digitaka.com/item/5/4/1/4969363040176

 

$149 USD

If our OP needs a vote, this is the absolute best use of $150. 

 

And this is the absolute best use of $160, going up a frame size, spool dia., and major drag. 

https://www.digitaka.com/item/5/4/1/4969363040213

[Bass Rutten]

On 8/23/2022 at 2:12 AM, Columbia Craw said:

The Daiwa Caldia LT MQ for $148.00 from Digitaka is insane. Big Bass turned me on to this deal and it’s awesome. 

For anyone curious about the caldia it’s the jdm equivalent of the ballistic, absolutely love mine, another great choice.

[Darth-Baiter]

23 hours ago, FrnkNsteen said:

 

 

I'm kind of wierd because I just cant get myself to spend money on spinning reels like I do casting reels. I think the law of diminishing return just kicks in quicker for me on spinning reels than it does casting reels. 

 

 

Just can't justify those higher prices for a spinning reel.

ahhaha...i was the same way until i bought a Vanford.  but i think i understand your thinking.  line just peels off on casts, so there is a lot of wiggle room w respect to the mechanicals..maybe.  

[bulldog1935]

...what diminishes is buying any reel less than Stradic. 

When it was introduced, Tackle Advisors reviewed Stradic as "The Best $400 Reel You Can Buy"

with a direct comparison of everything both Shimano and Daiwa were offering for $400 at the time. 

Shimano worm-drive has the edge on line management.  Shimano has the edge on smoothness. 

The current line of Shimano worm-drive reels are all the same design as the '18 Stella, with cost savings in MOC selection.  Stradic was the second reel introduced in the current worm-drive line.  The Stella has magnesium body and rotor, stainless steel gears, titanium bail; the Stradic is forged aluminum body, CI4+ composite rotor, aluminum gears and bail. 

Otherwise, they're the same, and the parts interchange.  Same spool pitch, same spindle stiffness, same over-sized fine-teeth gears (except for MOC), same over-designed A/R roller bearing, same line roller. 

[Clumsy fisherman]

17 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

...what diminishes is buying any reel less than Stradic. 

When it was introduced, Tackle Advisors reviewed Stradic as "The Best $400 Reel You Can Buy"

with a direct comparison of everything both Shimano and Daiwa were offering for $400 at the time. 

Shimano worm-drive has the edge on line management.  Shimano has the edge on smoothness. 

The current line of Shimano worm-drive reels are all the same design as the '18 Stella, with cost savings in MOC selection.  Stradic was the second reel introduced in the current worm-drive line.  The Stella has magnesium body and rotor, stainless steel gears, titanium bail; the Stradic is forged aluminum body, CI4+ composite rotor, aluminum gears and bail. 

Otherwise, they're the same, and the parts interchange.  Same spool pitch, same spindle stiffness, same over-sized fine-teeth gears (except for MOC), same over-designed A/R roller bearing, same line roller. 

In the above picture, what is the purpose of that clip that the line runs under? When do you use it?

[Darth-Baiter]

20 minutes ago, Clumsy fisherman said:

In the above picture, what is the purpose of that clip that the line runs under? When do you use it?

i hate that clip!!  i have clumsy fingers.  but that clip is for someone to store the tag end of the line when it isnt threaded thru the rod guides.    a spinning reel will darn near unspool itself it you dont secure the tag end. 

[MN Fisher]

18 minutes ago, Clumsy fisherman said:

In the above picture, what is the purpose of that clip that the line runs under? When do you use it?

That clip is for storing the line when you don't have a lure on to hook through the keeper.

 

I take all lures, clips, hooks, etc off my reels after a trip. With my casting reels, I put a line-keeper on and reel up to the tip-top

 

With my spinning reels, I bring the line down from the tip-top and clip it into 'that' clip. I do use it like DB stated but the only time I un-guide the line is if I'm moving the reel to a different rod, or taking it off to store it.

 

I wish casting reels had the clip

 

[bulldog1935]

24 minutes ago, Clumsy fisherman said:

In the above picture, what is the purpose of that clip that the line runs under? When do you use it?

it's the line keeper - too fine for all but the finest UL mono - just right for any braid. 

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, bulldog1935 said:

it's the line keeper - too fine for all but the finest UL mono - just right for any braid. 

I hate to disagree - but I clip 6# and 8# mono without issues.

[Clumsy fisherman]

27 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

it's the line keeper - too fine for all but the finest UL mono - just right for any braid. 

Thank You.

[ATA]

I am agree with all recommendations, But I have one for you:

SHIMANO 20 EXSENCE BB 3000M HG

https://www.amazon.com/SHIMANO-20-EXSENCE-BB-3000M/dp/B083ZV2VST?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A3T4WD9OQ7ZZYM

 

I highly recommend the BB series of Exsence, The only main difference between this one and expensive version is CI4+ body, Which making BB version heavier, But I haven't seen anything in performance quality. I have the CI4 version for about 7 years and I personally love it and I have BB version that I used since last year only and so far I like it as well and definitely worth the price.

[FrnkNsteen]

20 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

...what diminishes is buying any reel less than Stradic. 

When it was introduced, Tackle Advisors reviewed Stradic as "The Best $400 Reel You Can Buy"

with a direct comparison of everything both Shimano and Daiwa were offering for $400 at the time. 

Shimano worm-drive has the edge on line management.  Shimano has the edge on smoothness. 

The current line of Shimano worm-drive reels are all the same design as the '18 Stella, with cost savings in MOC selection.  Stradic was the second reel introduced in the current worm-drive line.  The Stella has magnesium body and rotor, stainless steel gears, titanium bail; the Stradic is forged aluminum body, CI4+ composite rotor, aluminum gears and bail. 

Otherwise, they're the same, and the parts interchange.  Same spool pitch, same spindle stiffness, same over-sized fine-teeth gears (except for MOC), same over-designed A/R roller bearing, same line roller. 

Well then it's a good thing I'll never know the difference then, since there's no way I'll spend $200 - $240 on a spinning reel, let alone $400. Just means I won't know what I'm missing, so I don't care. ??

 

The subject of the original post was best spinning reel under $150. My point is that I dont even go that high since I think it gets harder and harder to justify the extra spend.

 

Just my own opinion though!

[bulldog1935]

and you clearly didn't read the thread, with two links to the Best  sizes in Stradic for $150 and $160. 

Still the best $400 reel you can buy (Always because it never cost that, and could shame the reels that did). 

Since this thread doesn't interest you, why post. 

[FrnkNsteen]

9 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

and you clearly didn't read the thread, with two links to the Best  sizes in Stradic for $150 and $160. 

Still the best $400 reel you can buy (Always because it never cost that, and could shame the reels that did). 

Since this thread doesn't interest you, why post. 

I never said it doesn't interest me. I did what the OP asked and suggested a reel UNDER $150.

 

Why you taking this so personal? I never said the Stradic wasn't a good reel. 

[MickD]

Seems like a reel with such high accolades would have an anti reverse switch.  

 

But it doesn't.  It's not for me.  

 

I don't doubt it's smooth, but I cannot tell the "smoothness" difference between my Stradics, my Tatulas, and my Fuegos.  

[Clumsy fisherman]

On 8/22/2022 at 5:17 PM, MickD said:

Daiwa Fuego LT.  Great reel for the money, cannot tell the difference between it and the Tatula for almost $200.  Maybe in a few years, but I doubt it.

 

Used to be Pfluegers were in the hunt, but the new ones don't have anti reverse switches.  Neither do the Shimanos, I think.  I won't buy a reel without the switch.

I like an anti reverse switch. That is the one thing I do not like about the stradic.

[garroyo130]

3 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

i hate that clip!!  i have clumsy fingers.  but that clip is for someone to store the tag end of the line when it isnt threaded thru the rod guides.    a spinning reel will darn near unspool itself it you dont secure the tag end. 

 

That clip isnt there to store a thing, its there to frustrate people.

 

Anyhow Spheros basically a carbon copy of an older Stradic. For some reason it flies under the radar while the inferior Nasci gets all the attention.

[QED]

3 hours ago, FrnkNsteen said:

Well then it's a good thing I'll never know the difference then, since there's no way I'll spend $200 - $240 on a spinning reel, let alone $400. Just means I won't know what I'm missing, so I don't care. ??  [stuff deleted]

 

So then I guess you're not part of the target market segment for the Shimano Stella or the Daiwa Exist class spinning reels...  ?

[FrnkNsteen]

41 minutes ago, QED said:

 

So then I guess you're not part of the target market segment for the Shimano Stella or the Daiwa Exist class spinning reels...  ?

Nope,.. Not even a little bit!! ??

[bulldog1935]

I'll add this about optional anti-reverse. 

They're really useful for aligning your reel handle when you're putting it in a reel cover. 

 

In practice, can't remember ever using one for fishing. 

With full-time A/R on a good spinning reel, you gain a new skill, which is opening the bail just enough to feed one loop of line. 

 

Optional A/R was the norm on baitcasters 30 years ago, and A/R dogs were finally replaced with full-time A/R roller bearings.  No one complains and most don't remember optional A/R on baitcasters, unless you replaced worn-out A/R dogs and ever had one go out on a big fish.  It's something else to fail and shut you down. 

[NYWayfarer]

On 8/23/2022 at 6:05 PM, MickD said:

Drag has nothing to do with it.  When I've reeled too far up, I can switch the anti reverse off and let a little line out.  So much easier than pulling against a drag.  Whether the reel has a great drag or not, doesn't have anything to do with the convenience of what I'm talking about .  

A quick turn of the drag and I pull out some line is about the same amount of time and efficiency as flipping an anti-reverse switch. 
 

I never back reel so I never used that switch and never miss. I was cleaning one of my Lew’s spinning reels once and the spring in that switch went flying when I pulled the frame apart. Gremlins must have taken it cause I couldn’t find it. Lew’s sent me another for free.