Best JDM spinning reel around $200

[Fishin Dad]

I have been looking for a JDM spinning reel for around $200.   I know the value is there with a weak Yen. It is just hard to navigate all the different unique names etc.   I have tried to look them up on the manufacturers sites, but I am still not sure.  Any recommendations??   I really like a a 3000 size reel with a higher (6.?:1) gear ratio.  Thanks. 

 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Personally speaking you are kind of in no man's land in regard to actually made in Japan reels.    For that amount of money, I'd rather save up a little more and get one of the true JDM reels, not one that's made in Malaysia, China, Vietnam, etc. at that price point.    

 

For $290 you can get a Certate 3000 CXH......reel blew me away, I'm sure there are a few better spinning reels, but I won't ever need anything more than what it offers.   

 

Buy once, cry once, treat yo'self....yolo, let the monkey take the wheel....do whatever must be done ?

[KP Duty]

I'd get the new Essence XR.  Same internals as the Essence Mg, minus 2 bearings.  

 

https://japanlureshop.com/shimano-23-exsence-xr.html

[Fishin Dad]

1 minute ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Personally speaking you are kind of in no man's land in regard to actually made in Japan reels.    For that amount of money, I'd rather save up a little more and get one of the true JDM reels, not one that's made in Malaysia, China, Vietnam, etc. at that price point.    

 

For $290 you can get a Certate 3000 CXH......reel blew me away, I'm sure there are a few better spinning reels, but I won't ever need anything more than what it offers.   

 

Buy once, cry once, treat yo'self....yolo, let the monkey take the wheel....do whatever must be done ?

 Man, you read my mind.  I have been looking at that reel for a year now.  I just wasn’t sure if it was worth it or not.  It seems they have put a lot of the tech from their top reels in this one.  I had read some say they were awesome, but didn’t know if it was that much better than the next step down.  Thanks!!

2 minutes ago, KP Duty said:

I'd get the new Essence XR.  Same internals as the Essence Mg, minus 2 bearings.  

 

https://japanlureshop.com/shimano-23-exsence-xr.html

I just read up on that reel too.  I just didn’t really understand where it stood in the line up.   If it has all the tech, only minus two bearings, that is a solid reel I assume. I will look at that one again. Thanks. 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

21 minutes ago, Fishin Dad said:

 Man, you read my mind.  I have been looking at that reel for a year now.  I just wasn’t sure if it was worth it or not.  It seems they have put a lot of the tech from their top reels in this one.  I had read some say they were awesome, but didn’t know if it was that much better than the next step down.  Thanks!!

I just read up on that reel too.  I just didn’t really understand where it stood in the line up.   If it has all the tech, only minus two bearings, that is a solid reel I assume. I will look at that one again. Thanks. 

I use it on a 7" M Fast Alpha Angler Wrench with 8lb Invizx as a do it all single spinning rig in the boat type deal.    Either way to me once you are going to be spending a couple hundred on a reel, might as well get a "made in Japan" model.....bit cheaper to do that with baitcasters than spinning reels it seems though.   You can get a Zillion SV TW for $250 that's made in Japan, but I'm not aware of a cheaper made in Japan Daiwa than the Certate.   

 

You won't be disappointed in this particular reel, it has a wow factor for sure.   

[Fishin Dad]

35 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

I use it on a 7" M Fast Alpha Angler Wrench with 8lb Invizx as a do it all single spinning rig in the boat type deal.    Either way to me once you are going to be spending a couple hundred on a reel, might as well get a "made in Japan" model.....bit cheaper to do that with baitcasters than spinning reels it seems though.   You can get a Zillion SV TW for $250 that's made in Japan, but I'm not aware of a cheaper made in Japan Daiwa than the Certate.   

 

You won't be disappointed in this particular reel, it has a wow factor for sure.   

Yeah, my first transaction in Japan was for the zillion SV.  It was such an easy transaction , that is why I am looking that way again.  The Certate through Japan is still $150 cheaper than buying here.  I was hoping to try to get by with less, but I already own a Tatula LT, Fuego Lt, etc.   I need at least one more nice spinning reel.   I often take my wife, daughters, or a buddy or two who need spinning reels.  I like them to have decent drags to save on the rod and make a smoother catch.   This reel will be for me if I grab a Certate. Lol.  I really want the 3000 CXH and just checked and can’t find one for under $300.  Digitaka is out. 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

1 hour ago, Fishin Dad said:

Yeah, my first transaction in Japan was for the zillion SV.  It was such an easy transaction , that is why I am looking that way again.  The Certate through Japan is still $150 cheaper than buying here.  I was hoping to try to get by with less, but I already own a Tatula LT, Fuego Lt, etc.   I need at least one more nice spinning reel.   I often take my wife, daughters, or a buddy or two who need spinning reels.  I like them to have decent drags to save on the rod and make a smoother catch.   This reel will be for me if I grab a Certate. Lol.  I really want the 3000 CXH and just checked and can’t find one for under $300.  Digitaka is out. 

they restock often.......i had to wait a week or two until it got restocked.   

 

It's the perfect reel for that "buy once, cry once" reel.  

[Dwight Hottle]

11 hours ago, Fishin Dad said:

Yeah, my first transaction in Japan was for the zillion SV.  It was such an easy transaction , that is why I am looking that way again.  The Certate through Japan is still $150 cheaper than buying here.  I was hoping to try to get by with less, but I already own a Tatula LT, Fuego Lt, etc.   I need at least one more nice spinning reel.   I often take my wife, daughters, or a buddy or two who need spinning reels.  I like them to have decent drags to save on the rod and make a smoother catch.   This reel will be for me if I grab a Certate. Lol.  I really want the 3000 CXH and just checked and can’t find one for under $300.  Digitaka is out. 

 

You will never regret buying the Certate.

[KP Duty]

3 hours ago, Dwight Hottle said:

 

You will never regret buying the Certate.

I bet we see a new Certate next year.