Best spinning reel for around $100?

[Stevo_fishes]

Hey yall, back in March at the bass master expo I picked up a couple lews Mach 2 rods for a really good deal. I’ve been fishing my whole life and have definitely been serious about bass fishing for the better part of 3 years. (I’m 16 by the way). I used to have cheaper set ups, say around $40 and just some cheap mono. Now I’ve come to appreciate more expensive gear and have started to expand a lot. What spinning reel for around $100 would yall recommend for a 6’11” medium light spinning rod? I’ve already decided on a tatula for the 6’10” casting and a slx xt for the heavy casting.

[MN Fisher]

Go JDM, young man - $102.75 to your door usually in 3-4 days...retail here in the US is $130+tax

I have one of these and they're light, smooth and worth every penny.

https://www.digitaka.com/item/5/4/1/4969363045140

[casts_by_fly]

I'd agree with a JDM miravel.  If you don't want to go JDM then a Nascii or sahara is a great choice for right about $100.

[Mobasser]

I'm not sure there is really a best reel in this range. I've been using a size 2500 Sahara for two years now and it's worked well.                       If you like an AR switch on your reel, check out Diawa or Lews. They make some nice reels on this price range also.

[bulldog1935]

@Mobasser is correct that every reel is a compromise at this price level.  

Daiwa reels run tougher at this end, Shimano run smoother -

-the Miravel (worm drive) @MN Fisher linked is the First Choice if managing light braid is in your sights.  

 

 

no offense @PhishLI adding ps - option A/R switches are going to disappear from the rest of the reels you buy over your life - get used to not having one now.  

You're 16 - go for the fine braid and hone your manual bail technique skills.  

[PhishLI]

If you like an anti-reverse switch:

EXELT3000D-C

Right/Left

5.3:1

7.1

10/280, 12/220

5BB + 1RB

Daiwa Exceler LT Spinning Reels | Tackle Warehouse

[PhishLI]

1 hour ago, bulldog1935 said:

no offense @PhishLI adding ps - option A/R switches are going to disappear from the rest of the reels you buy over your life - get used to not having one now.  

Can't live without one. I tried. I use it constantly. I'll just buy up what I can which will carry me through until my end.

[garroyo130]

3 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

@Mobasser is correct that every reel is a compromise at this price level.  

Daiwa reels run tougher at this end, Shimano run smoother -

-the Miravel (worm drive) @MN Fisher linked is the First Choice if managing light braid is in your sights.  

 

 

no offense @PhishLI adding ps - option A/R switches are going to disappear from the rest of the reels you buy over your life - get used to not having one now.  

You're 16 - go for the fine braid and hone your manual bail technique skills.  

 

I don't believe the Miravel is worm drive. The lowest priced worm drive is the smaller spheros and would be my USDM pick for around $100. 

 

https://fishshop.shimano.com/collections/mirc3000hg

[MN Fisher]

2 hours ago, garroyo130 said:

I don't believe the Miravel is worm drive.

No worm-drive - it has 'Silent Drive'...whatever that is.

 

It is the lowest price Ci4 body reel however.

[bulldog1935]

Thanks for the clarification, I haven't pursued Miravel and was repeating what I heard before on this forum.  I always look at Stradic as the baseline spinning reel.  

Sounds like Miravel is a CI4+ (composite body) Ultegra, which is Shimano's top locomotive drive reel - cold-forged anodized gears vs. die-cast in lower grades.  My buddy has 6 years' very good service from his Ultegra.  

[Boomstick]

9 hours ago, Mobasser said:

I'm not sure there is really a best reel in this range. I've been using a size 2500 Sahara for two years now and it's worked well.                       If you like an AR switch on your reel, check out Diawa or Lews. They make some nice reels on this price range also.

Daiwa is starting to remove the AR switch on their newer models. That said, the BG is a pretty solid reel it’s just heavy, but I don’t think that was redesigned recently

[PaulVE64]

BG 3000 

 

I prefer the bigger size for the line pick up. But it is heavier than almost everything else if thats a concern.

[Stevo_fishes]

I think I’ll get the miravel on digitaka, never thought a jdm reel would be possible with shipping and price. I’ll be using the setup for weightless soft baits or very small hard baits, and for just overall more finesse tactics. I’ll probably end up getting the bait casters off the same website, their prices and shipping is to good to pass up

[GetFishorDieTryin]

The answer is Exceler or Fuego.  While Nasci got a great upgrade with the threaded handle, its a bit weighty if that matters.  What really surprised me is that the new Exceler/Fuego are noticeably smoother than Nasci and I'm fairly sure Nasci still uses a coated main, which is very smooth initially, but you can feel a little difference after it wears.  I dislike zinc over AL, but I have a Fuego I honestly cant believe is still running after using it for bluefish in the surf for years along with its FW duties and it still smooth.  If the Daiwas are smoother and just if not more robust than Nasci, at a lighter weight its a no brainer.

Miravel is kind of funny.  A buddy works for TD and he told me there are some hangups with it.  If you get a good one theyre outstanding, but there are enough issues to cause a bit of hesitancy and its not just 1 problem.  More than few local guys have come back and said the reels run rough after some hard sessions with schoolie bass and taylor blues, could be flex.  Oddly enough there have been some issues with the drag, just not working.  Nothing groundbreaking on Miravel with its spool, so I dont know why there would be problems, but it is so.  In hand, both I picked up honestly felt great, I just dont think I would risk going JDM and losing the warranty when there are some rejects about, the USDM is not much more and you wont be out your $ if it starts to run rough. 

If you do go JDM, its worth getting a Stradic or even Caldia if you want some cranking power.  

[Stevo_fishes]

15 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

The answer is Exceler or Fuego.  While Nasci got a great upgrade with the threaded handle, its a bit weighty if that matters.  What really surprised me is that the new Exceler/Fuego are noticeably smoother than Nasci and I'm fairly sure Nasci still uses a coated main, which is very smooth initially, but you can feel a little difference after it wears.  I dislike zinc over AL, but I have a Fuego I honestly cant believe is still running after using it for bluefish in the surf for years along with its FW duties and it still smooth.  If the Daiwas are smoother and just if not more robust than Nasci, at a lighter weight its a no brainer.

Miravel is kind of funny.  A buddy works for TD and he told me there are some hangups with it.  If you get a good one theyre outstanding, but there are enough issues to cause a bit of hesitancy and its not just 1 problem.  More than few local guys have come back and said the reels run rough after some hard sessions with schoolie bass and taylor blues, could be flex.  Oddly enough there have been some issues with the drag, just not working.  Nothing groundbreaking on Miravel with its spool, so I dont know why there would be problems, but it is so.  In hand, both I picked up honestly felt great, I just dont think I would risk going JDM and losing the warranty when there are some rejects about, the USDM is not much more and you wont be out your $ if it starts to run rough. 

If you do go JDM, its worth getting a Stradic or even Caldia if you want some cranking power.  

When you mentioned taylor blues I figured you meant blue fish, what about schoolie bass? I go surf fishing occasionally, but have dedicated rods and reels for it. (ones a fuego) The miravel would be a size 2500 and I’d be using it for just finesse largemouth fishing, the occasional stocked trout, or the regular white bass run we get

[GetFishorDieTryin]

3 hours ago, Stevo_fishes said:

When you mentioned taylor blues I figured you meant blue fish, what about schoolie bass? I go surf fishing occasionally, but have dedicated rods and reels for it. (ones a fuego) The miravel would be a size 2500 and I’d be using it for just finesse largemouth fishing, the occasional stocked trout, or the regular white bass run we get

Right on..Taylor is just a size class, about 3-6lbs.  A schoolie bass is smaller sized fish, 16"-25". 

I use lighter gear (2500 and 3k) all the time on the sand to throw lighter plugs, metal and baits, its just more fun than using conventional USDM surf gear.

I wasn't suggesting that you get it to use it on the beach.  My point is that if that a 2500 Fuego can survive that environment and catching fish it was never designed to handle consistently, but remain smooth, than its a solid design.  The feedback on Miravel isn't nearly as good.  

[Largemouthbasshunter]

I like the Daiwa bg. Its heavier than most other reels but its tough and itll

last forever if you maintain it

[Stevo_fishes]

47 minutes ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

Right on..Taylor is just a size class, about 3-6lbs.  A schoolie bass is smaller sized fish, 16"-25". 

I use lighter gear (2500 and 3k) all the time on the sand to throw lighter plugs, metal and baits, its just more fun than using conventional USDM surf gear.

I wasn't suggesting that you get it to use it on the beach.  My point is that if that a 2500 Fuego can survive that environment and catching fish it was never designed to handle consistently, but remain smooth, than its a solid design.  The feedback on Miravel isn't nearly as good.  

I get it now, haha. I’ve caught some 14” blues on a 15 foot surf rod, and I can only imagine the fight on a 7’6”. I really want to compare a $100 shimano to a $100 Daiwa. I got a fuego last year and it’s been great. Definitely will try for blues when we go to Houston in late august (not sure if that’s good bluefish time, I’m predominantly a bass fisherman) 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Its an absolute blast.  I have no idea what goes on in Texas, but you guys have more options gamefish wise.  You cant go wrong just taking a 7' M and tossing a 4" swimbait on 1/4oz head around sandbar cuts or holes.  You don't have to heave 3oz with a 12' surf rod to catch nice fish in the wash.  If you can find drop offs and changes on the bottom you don't need to cast very far at all.  If you cover enough water you're going to bump into something good. 

I see what you mean with the comparison.  Miravel is actually Shimanos answer to the LT series, Fuego in particular.  Shimanos budget spinners have been weighty (8.5+oz) in comparison to other options on the market and Miravel fills that gap. 

Really a sleeper reel that no one pays attention to at a similar price point is Spheros SW ,its a Stradic FK, minus a bearing.  Butter smooth, robust frame and the worm gear gives it excellent line lay.  Problem is they only come in 3 and 4k.  I suspect Shimano does that to avoid cutting into Stradic sales.