Spinning Reels quality/$$: Daiwa, Qntm, Shmno

[afendrbass]

I have BPS gift cards, and i will be purchasing a spinning rod, spinning reel, and baitcasting rod; when the BPS in my hometown of Olathe, KS opens Feb. 22nd  ;D.  I know this topic is all about personal preference and will always be an on going debate, but I am not bias and directly looking at the the most performance i can get for my money.  At this point in my life, i cannot spend anything near $200 for a reel.  I am looking for a spinning reel under 140 and at this point am considering:

1.the tierra, for all of the qualities comparible to the stradic at a lower cost.

2.curious about the Catalyst and Energy PT-i series, but do not know if the gears are sealed like the Stradic or Tierra.

3.BPS offers a shimano Aero Stradic, but not sure if it is comparible to the quality of the Stradic MgFa.

Looking for input, not directly on these, but overall quality offered under the 140 range.

Awesome forum and thanks for the input.

[Raul]

Aero is trademark name of the spool design of the Shimano spinning reel, so most Shimano spinning reels are Aero, like many Shimano baitcasters are Bantam. The Shimano Stradic MgFA is in practical terms the same reel as a Stradic with magnesium frame & machined handle, performance is the same in both reels.

Sealed GEARS.......I don 't think so, sealed drag ( waterproof ) and sealed bearings most likely, but Stradics do not have sealed bearings because they come with ARBs and those aren 't sealed, Stradics also do not have waterproof drag; the Tierra does have waterproof drag and CRBBs ( same as ARBs ).

Now let 's see, the Tierra is new, it took the place of the Capricorn so it must be a good reel ( the Capricorn was a good reel ), it has waterproof drag; the catch here is, the Stradic has been around for over a decade and it 's still is one of the best spinning reels around, it 's the old Curado of spinning reels.

Just for that reason alone I would go for a Stradic, I know I 'm going to get a dependable bullet proof reel for the next decade or more.

[Alpster]

Raul is right on, as usual. I have an Aero Stradic. In my opinion there is no better bang for the buck, but I haven't fished with everything else.  BTW WELCOME to the forum!

Ronnie

[hi_steel_basser]

For that 200 bucks You can have a Johnny Morris combo, rod and reel, and they are excellent for the money. As to the BC rod, you can use all that moneyyou saved on the combo to get a G Loomis.