Inexpensive Spinning Reels

[bishoptf]

I've been called cheap and that I am but when things have been on clearance I stock up. The only thing that I have spent more than I should on is Baitcasting reels and then I still purchased on AE for some mgl reels. I needed some additional spinning reels and Okuma has been pretty decent to me, so I picked up some Okuma Avengers on clearance, Ugly tuff and Shimano Nexave. All were clearanced priced and thought what the heck. Pretty much knew what was going to be in the Okuma Avengers since I had some similar from DSG, three stack felt drag, the Ugly tuff was pretty similar. The one that kind of threw me was the Shimano Nexave, it only has one felt washer along with the metal washer. Was really surprised to see that, I know they retail for about $50 but that just surprised me though.

 

My other Shimano spinning reel that I have had since I was a teenager ( a long time ago) a Sienna is with my son at college so I have nothing to compare it too. Is this normal for Shimano Spinning reels in regards to the drag or just the lower end models?  Just thought I would ask since it was different.

 

The ugly tuff is a little different also, heavier than most since its an all aluminum frame, which is kind of nice. The other oddity is that the handle screws on, first time I had seen that, comes with a 7 year warranty to boot. The Okuma Avengers are smooth and like the ones they make for DSG seem to be well made, I've caught many decent size largemouth on them and never an issue.

 

All reels are in the 25 or 30 size and ordered carbontex drag washers to update all of them from smoothdrag. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

A single felt washer isn’t unheard of. It’s sufficient for a freshwater reel that size. That said, I prefer to swap out felt for Carbontex no matter how many there are. Good call. 

[PBBrandon]

Before they changed them and got rid of the AR switch, Pflueger Presidents were amazing for the price

[bishoptf]

3 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

A single felt washer isn’t unheard of. It’s sufficient for a freshwater reel that size. That said, I prefer to swap out felt for Carbontex no matter how many there are. Good call. 

Yeah I mean I bought most of them for $20-25 so upgrading the drags not going to brake the bank, lol. Interesting the Okumas have a lot of grease, the Ugly tuff almost none and the Shimano is in between. I debating on sending you my Citicas for a good cleaning, while I like the reels and they have been with me for some time, I just like the low profile reels much better and just havn't made up my mind if I want to keep them or not. Probably should send them in and then see where they are when I get them back....

1 minute ago, PBBrandon said:

Before they changed them and got rid of the AR switch, Pflueger Presidents were amazing for the price

I had heard that but I also hear that the new presidents are not nearly as nice as the old ones...but thats true with most things these days.

[FishTank]

Daiwa Revros has been a good one for a buddy of mine. Seems solid.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Citicas are workhorse reels well worth maintaining imo. Send whatever you have at your convenience. As for the grease, the shear amount used doesn’t mean much of anything. 

[MediumMouthBass]

3 hours ago, FishTank said:

Daiwa Revros has been a good one for a buddy of mine. Seems solid.

I am a big Shimano Sienna praiser, i think every spinning reel they make after that but under $75 is junk. The Sienna is just something else, i havent ever cleaned a single one of mine and they are 100% except for the 2 that dropped onto rocks and look like they were eaten by a shark.

For a PSA avoid the ones sold at Walmart as they are known to fail because of Walmarts buying specifications.

 

But the Revros thats on sale frequently around $30-40 is a noticeably huge improvement. Nicer finish, much smoother, feels better just in general.

 

Aside from these 2 reels i dont know of anything else thats nice, budget friendly, reliable, and majority of the reviews are good.

[bishoptf]

7 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Citicas are workhorse reels well worth maintaining imo. Send whatever you have at your convenience. As for the grease, the shear amount used doesn’t mean much of anything. 

I need to pull them off and get them on their way. I assume just send them to the address on the website, should I mention being a bassresource member so I get the special treatment

[Mobasser]

Siennas are a great reel for the money. I've also had good luck with an Okuma Avenger. I bought it to take as an extra reel on a trout trip. Ended up fishing it hard for seven seasons before it gave out. I think at the time  I paid 19.95.

[casts_by_fly]

I am still fishing a seinna (maybe sierra) from the mid 90's.  It's traveled the world with me and still keeps kicking.  The tolerances are loose so no wear to speak of that's noticable within the loose tolerances.  Just keep some grease in the gears and you'll be good to go.

[C.Tucks]

19 hours ago, FishTank said:

Daiwa Revros has been a good one for a buddy of mine. Seems solid.

I have three revros reels. 
They are fantastic reels for the money. 
Solid, balanced feel and smooth drag

[bishoptf]

38 minutes ago, C.Tucks said:

I have three revros reels. 
They are fantastic reels for the money. 
Solid, balanced feel and smooth drag

I hear good things about them but just haven't found any on clearance and thats when I tend to pick stuff up. The latest batch of reels were 20-25 bucks, will see how they do but have had good luck with Okuma's.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

21 hours ago, bishoptf said:

I need to pull them off and get them on their way. I assume just send them to the address on the website, should I mention being a bassresource member so I get the special treatment

Everyone is treated special here! Lol

send at your convenience including a copy of the work order form from the website. Let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks 

[Mobasser]

I have a 1000 size Revros also..I'll be using it more this year. My grandson bought a Lews G Spin. It was 39.95, and is a very good reel for the cost also.

[bishoptf]

1 minute ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Everyone is treated special here! Lol

send at your convenience including a copy of the work order form from the website. Let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks 

Was going to try to get them out today but for some reason shoveling the driveway was more important, ugh....so ready for winter to just go away ..:)

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

1 minute ago, bishoptf said:

Was going to try to get them out today but for some reason shoveling the driveway was more important, ugh....so ready for winter to just go away ..:)

I feel your pain

[MN Fisher]

3 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Everyone is treated special here!

I could make an off-color comment here, Mike....but I'll refrain.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

2 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

I could make an off-color comment here, Mike....but I'll refrain.

It’s the thought that counts!

[new2BC4bass]

I see the Revros has been mentioned a few times.  No personal experience, but I bought one a few years ago as a birthday present for a B-I-L.  I seriously doubt the reel has ever been cleaned or lubed.  He's still using it and hasn't mentioned any problems with it.

[bishoptf]

17 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Everyone is treated special here! Lol

send at your convenience including a copy of the work order form from the website. Let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks 

On their way...

[BlakeMolone]

I bought a shimano nexave for 40 bucks the other day, I think they are normally like 50 or 60 bucks. So far it seems like an incredible reel for the price.

[bishoptf]

2 hours ago, BlakeMolone said:

I bought a shimano nexave for 40 bucks the other day, I think they are normally like 50 or 60 bucks. So far it seems like an incredible reel for the price.

Yeah I picked 2 up on clearance, I figure for $20ea they were a pretty good deal. Kind of surprised when I opened it up that it only has one drag stack but again it was priced right. I'm swapping the felt for carbontex and should last me a good while.