What do you buy more often, new or used reels?

[Darth-Baiter]

new only, or freebie hand-me-downs from my baller friends.

[new2BC4bass]

New if on closeout with a great price.  Used otherwise, but must also be at a great price.  Have more used than new.  I also collected quite a few Daiwa casting reels and a few Daiwa spinning reels that were out of production.

 

Same for rods.  I paid full price only once, and that was a rod specifically made for DSG and I was just starting out with casting.  Have given it away.

[MN Fisher]

De[ends on the reel - most of mine are new - but usually purchased JDM for under US prices, the exceptions are the few Pflueger Patriarchs I've gotten in Excellent condition on the used market...all for under 1/2 retail price.

[chubaka]

I buy all my reels from Digitaka

[10,000 lakes Bassin]

15 hours ago, newapti5 said:

Maybe in the future when yen gets much stronger.

I’ve noticed that it’s been rising lately. I need to pull the trigger and buy a good supply of reels now in case it keeps rising. 

[new2BC4bass]

1 hour ago, MN Fisher said:

De[ends on the reel - most of mine are new - but usually purchased JDM for under US prices, the exceptions are the few Pflueger Patriarchs I've gotten in Excellent condition on the used market...all for under 1/2 retail price.

My first Patriarch XT was at half retail.  Not positive, but think the second one as well.  The third one (in excellent condition) was 74% below retail. 

 

Personally I was glad that many don't believe that Pflueger could make decent baitcast reels.  Better for me.  

 

[MN Fisher]

23 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Better for us.  

Fixed that for you.

[MiceNReets]

15 hours ago, newapti5 said:

Once I discovered Japan online used tackle market, I just couldn't go back anymore. Maybe in the future when yen gets much stronger.

This right here. 

10 hours ago, Choporoz said:

I have bought only 2 used reels one Daiwa, and one Shimano).  I regret both purchases.

Why?

[little giant]

New, both rods and reels.

Casting reels JDM or Amazon Japan, although I found great deals on ali x or ali baba- be carefull!

Most tackle shops in South Florida are geared for saltwater, but do have freshwater rod heavily discounted. ( Loomis IMX Pro- $160! Can't be beat!)

[PourMyOwn]

18 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

As my passion for reels revolves around older Daiwas, it's used for me. The last one I picked up was an Alphas in mint condition. Now I'm on the look-out for a Zillion, but I gotta get the $$$ first.

We have a similar taste in reels. I also only buy used. 

[A-Jay]

In the past it was a little of both.

More recently it's been decidedly new. 

😎

A-Jay

[wvhunt]

Most used reels I see for sale locally are either bottom of the barrel Walmart specials or they want as much for a used model as I can find them for new online.   Last year I did find a pawn shop that had a St. Croix spinning rod with a Pflueger President XT and a Fenwick HMG with a Johnny Morris Signature reel.  The owner told me I could have both for $20 if I wanted.  Out of a barrel full of rods and reels, those were the only two I'd have carried home.

[Choporoz]

4 hours ago, MiceNReets said:

 

Why?

They each had issues. Nothing major, but I would have preferred to have had new with warranty.

[Texas Flood]

Used near mint JDM reels are my go to. 

[Eric 26]

On 3/7/2025 at 5:09 AM, Junk Fisherman said:

I've never bought any used rods or reels.  I've sold many though.  I don't even try to ship rods anymore due to the ridiculous shipping cost.  Living in a heavily-populated area, I just set an attractive price and I always end up selling them.  

If I may ask where are you listing your used for sale gear? I’m not that far from you in New Lenox and I grew up in Tinley Park. 

[TLHSS]

I've done both.  I purchased my Vanford used from ALF.  Considerably cheaper than new, and I'm not sure it was ever fished.  I have purchased new when models change, and the old models sell at close-out prices.  I purchased my Orvis Battenkill reel this way from Orvis at about half the price of the new model.  I recently purchased a Penn saltwater reel from Ebay that was a "salesman sample".  Never fished but still considered used and priced accordingly. I haven't received it yet to know if this is another way to get good quality gear at a reduced price.

[Hulkster]

only new for me 

[JediAmoeba]

About 25% used and 75% new. 

[Junk Fisherman]

9 hours ago, Eric 26 said:

If I may ask where are you listing your used for sale gear? I’m not that far from you in New Lenox and I grew up in Tinley Park. 

I live in Tinley Park.  I just set prices $20-$40 less than what they should sell for and they end up selling.  I also make pickup at my house.  I've sold 5 Dobyns rods over the last two offseasons.  

[F14A-B]

Sure. I’ll buy a mint condition, used reel. Never ever been disappointed. As far as rods, 2. Both were fine and came from ALFC .. 

[DaveT63]

Probably 3/4 of my rods and reels were bought used.  Buy from reputable sellers here and on other forums and you should be fine.  I prefer the older Diawas like the SV103, TDZ, Alphas, and others you can't get new anymore.

 

I've bought upwards of 50-60 used rods and reels and the only problems I've ever had was when UPS or USPS decided my 1-piece rods would be better as 2-pieces.

[Bankbeater]

When I started fishing I bought most of my rods and reels from my dad when he would buy new gear.  Now I buy new unless the reel is vintage and I can get a good deal on it.

[Eric 26]

I’ve only purchased one used reel from ALF a Shimano Curado MGL in mint condition. But I also purchased a “open box” discounted Daiwa BG that was in perfect condition and I also purchased a leftover Daiwa Tatula Type R brand new in box from a tackle shop in 2020 that when I inquired about it they said it was sitting in the warehouse on a shelf forgotten about and again it was absolutely perfect and still is. 

[Columbia Craw]

I’ve been lucky on pre owned reels.  I’ve picked up several on the BR flea market and was really happy with all of them. I snagged a AA rod from a member and that was also a good experience.  Buying upper tier reels used is a good way to go.  Rods are tough because of shipping costs.  I need to liquidate about a third of my  combos.  

[FrnkNsteen]

17 hours ago, Eric 26 said:

I’ve only purchased one used reel from ALF a Shimano Curado MGL in mint condition. But I also purchased a “open box” discounted Daiwa BG that was in perfect condition and I also purchased a leftover Daiwa Tatula Type R brand new in box from a tackle shop in 2020 that when I inquired about it they said it was sitting in the warehouse on a shelf forgotten about and again it was absolutely perfect and still is. 

I also bought a New In Box Tatula Type R from a local shop about a year or two ago. 

 

This one was a shiny new 6.3:1 in left hand. They originally wanted full price for it and it sat in their display case for quite some time. I looked at it every time I went in there but no way was I paying full price for a reel that had been discontinued for quite a while. 

 

I went in one day and they had it marked down to like 50% off so I grabbed it. Nice reel... Very smooth!