Spinning reels.....what kind do you use?

[5bass]

I'm looking at changing my spinning reel set-ups here soon and I'm trying to get some opinions and ideas of some I should look at.The main things I'm looking for is that they be as light as possible and have silky smooth drag systems.

I currently have a couple of Pflueger President spinning reels and also 2 Shimano Sahara's which are my regular use reels but both are a little heavy.Obviously the Stella and Steez reels are on top of the pile but I cant justify their prices.

[scbassin]

Look at the Okuma VS series they are great reels at a fair price.

[BucketmouthAngler13]

Okuma makes great strong spinning reels with slik smooth drags, but the VS is a little heavy for its size. If your more concerend about weight then you might not want the VS, but i hear remarkable things about it's dual drag. Its pretty nicely priced for what it is.

[phisher_d]

Have you looked at the pflueger supreme that's coming out next year?

http://www.pfluegerfishing.com/products/products.php?p=9

[5bass]

Have you looked at the pflueger supreme that's coming out next year?

http://www.pfluegerfishing.com/products/products.php?p=9

I have. That is one I have my eye on.

[Tom Bass]

I like the Shimano Stradic. Nice reel without the really high cost. I also use the Sahara and I just got a Pflueger President (can't use it until Christmas - Wife's rule - it's a present).

The Stradic is smoother than the Sahara.

I also would love a Stella but cannot justify the cost.

My Stradic rests at the bottom of Lake Norman. I miss it so. There is another in my future...probably two.

[ww2farmer]

I like Daiwa and Pflueger. I still can't beleive the presidant only costs $60.........I have yet to find a smoother,more reliable spinning reel in it's price range. My Daiwa reels are nice too, but for the extra $30-$50 I paid for them I think I will buy Pfluegers exclusivly from now on.

[Bud]

I own 2 Stradic 2500 MGFA.  They are great reels.    They don't break the bank when you buy one and they are smooth.

[Alpster]

I have 2 stradics, 1 Twin power (sustain) and 1 stella. I think the best spinning reel for the money is the sustain. It's feather light and smoot as silk. The few times I have fished with it I have had to take a second look to make sure it's not the stella. You can find the sustains on ebay for around $175 pretty regularly.

Ronnie

[RoLo]

FiveBass, like you I also lean to the "lightest" reel without actually sacrificing necessary bearings.

For the money, I don't know of any spinning reel better than the Shimano Stradic (I own several).

The 10-lb class Stradic weighs 9.7 oz (incredibly light for the guts).

It retrieves 33" per revolution (faster the better) and costs $120 at BPS which can undoubtedly be beaten on e-bay.

Roger

[paparock]

Japan Tackle's Recomendation is:

Basically, all Shimano and Daiwa reels are very smooth and you will be mostly satisfied as long as they are from the two manufacturers. In details, Daiwa reels feel lighter in cranking, and Shimano feels a little more dragging. Daiwa Digi-gear models are smoother than Shimano reels, after 2004. Shimano gears tells a little more vibrations to your fingers. Jun's comment: Great BUY The best value spinning reel in market. As smooth and light as the high-end Daiwa Airity, Luvias offers the most value of all small spinning reels for freshwater use.

The Luvias is the Japanese equal to the Fuego spinning reel I believe. Someone correct me if I am wrong. I have the Luvias and it is a great reel especially for the price. You can get many more sizes in the Luvias than the Fuego and it is cheaper if you shop the Japanese sites. Here is a link to an American site that has a great article on them. http://www.georgescustomrods.com/Dawai%20Luvias%202500.htm

If you want light then you need to look for the magnesium framed models. everyone has there own tastes so try to find someone that has some of the models that will you try them if you can. You another loves you may hate. At today's prices you don't want to find that out after you bought a new reel.

Have you read Avid's thread on spinning reels? http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1164488426

[justfishin]

There are a lot of good spinning reels on the market. I only own Stradics. I have had them all for many years and have been more than satisfied with them. I have looked at the Presidents and my buddy owns two and swears by them. Can't beat the price either. I would still go with Stradic though. They are an awsome reel. My opinion.

[RiskKid.]

I am another stradic fan. I have really enjoyed mine.

[TournyFish001]

super light- (not HIGH stella/steez price)- one word FUEGO! I own the 2500 for my dropshot rod and love it! I previously had a pti engergy 20 and the fuego beats it in every area- I am buying a FUEGO 3000 next!

[Fishing Doug]

I have a Stradic and love it. However, using My TD-Z's has spoiled me and I love the lighter weight. I have a Stradic MGFA coming Monday or Tuesday for my SJR843. I have obviously not used it yet, but I did play around with one that was spooled up at a local tackle shop-feels as smooth as the original.

i think both of them are a great value.  I felt the Fuego as well and couldn't justify the extra $$$....plus, I am a certified member of the Shimano (spinning reel) posse!   ;D

Also, watch the flea market forum and you may not even have to go to ebay to get a good value on one!  

FD

[flechero]

5BL,

If I were in your shoes and looking for light weight- I would look at the Stratic MG or Fuego 3000.  The Stradic MG wasn't available locally for me to look at so I never got to consider it.  I own the Fuego 3000 and really like it a lot... below is a copied response on mine from the past.  

The Feugo 3000 is fantastic!  It is the finest, smoothest, best casting, lightest spinning reel I have ever used. (never tried a Stella though)  I was fortunate enough to catch several fish on it today, a few of them took drag... the drag system is like butter... so smooth I never felt it giving line, I just heard it and saw the spool turning.  It has a wide range of available drag pressure and it is as smooth at 2 lbs as it is at 8lbs. plus.  I was truly impressed.  This reel casts SO much better than all my others... I don't know if it's the shape of the spool or smoothnes of the lip.  I also like the manual trip for the bail.  And when the bail closes it sounds (a little louder than most other spinning reels) like the action of a fine firearm, crisp, solid and all business.

I toyed with the idea of a Stella instead but ultimately decided the difference of almost $300 was too great a jump for me.  

[shimanogloomis man]

i have a stradic as well i think that reel for the money is the best out there imo.my brother has a diawa theory but i dont think its as nice of a reel but if money is an an isssues id take a good look at the shimano symetre

[dodgeguy]

get the pflueger supreme and buy a rod with the money you save or buy 2 reels.

[huskyjerk]

I would concur with the advice towards a 2500 shimano and go with whats in your price range.  When you go smaller than the 2500, you get into problems created by smaller spools---more loops in the line which reduces casting distance. I've had sahras, sedonas, symetres and stradics and they perform great year after year...If you can afford it go with a stradic or better...  

[Bassassasin12]

get the pflueger supreme and buy a rod with the money you save or buy 2 reels.

agreed, I cant wait to get one of those babies. The medalist is nice too. I have a stradic and a medalist and I like the medalist more!

[dodgeguy]

get the pflueger supreme and buy a rod with the money you save or buy 2 reels.

agreed, I cant wait to get one of those babies. The medalist is nice too. I have a stradic and a medalist and I like the medalist more!

i've owned both and the medalist is smoother.

[roadwarrior]

You probably already know where I stand, so Daiwa & Pflueger guys, how 'bout some comments on how long you have been fishing your particular favorite and how it compares to the day it was new. The Stradic is dependable and in five years it will perform exactly as it does on day one.

If you like that "feel" you'll like the reel.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Ive ownjed the Pfluegers  Trion,president and the Medalist and for the money and the only spinning reel Iuse PFLUEGER PRESIDENT excellent reel, and they take a lickin and keep on kickin

[dodgeguy]

my medalist has 2 full seasons on it and was underwater 1 time.it is smoother now then it was when i bought it.it looks worse due to some minor boat rash.i had 3  trion round reels all over 6 seasons on them that i just sold that were still in good shape.i sold them to buy some smaller low profile reels.

[5bass]

I knew the ringleader of the Shimano Posse would check in at some point.  ;D

Looks like I'm going with either Shimano or Okuma.