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

[Alpster]

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

You jest do what the Marshal says there pardner an I rekon you won't git yurself into no trouble.

Deputy Ronnie

[5bass]

I hear you man....actually I'll probably buy one of each brand and give them a workout and see what I come up with.  

[SneakySnook]

I use a Okuma expior now but before that I used a shimano symmetre.

[ww2farmer]

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.

Ok..........One of my Pflueger presidants was bought new in march of 2004, I have used it heavily every time out in the 2004,05,and 06 seasons (late march to mid november). I cleaned and lubed it between the 05 and 06 seasons and it is still as smooth as new. My other presidant was bought new in april of this year and has seen much less use then my first one and is still like new. My 2 Daiwa's are also not that old, I bought a "like new" used Team Daiwa Advantage off of e-bay for $80 in july of 2005, was smooth as silk when I got it, had every intention of making it my "main" spininng reel, but I just can't seem to put the president down. My other Daiwa is a procyon, metal frame, 7BB+1 RB that I bought new from Dicks sporting goods in october of 05 on sale for $49........it was $79 full price. I have used this reel much more than either the advantage or my "newer" presidant, and found that it needed a little more maint. than the pfleuger to keep smooth as new. Both the Daiwa's are good reels that I got for a great price, but with the Pfluegers I feel.......at least in my case I am getting more bang for the $$. Yes the Pfluegers are heavier than the new top of the line Shimanos and Daiwa's, and no I would not pay more for one UNLESS they were lighter and had metal frames insted of graphite (which is an issue for some guys,but I have yet to have an issue with that) I feel that for $59 I have two smooth quality bass fishing spinning reels. I am not one to claim they are better than shimano or any thing, especialy since I do not own any shimanos to compare to. All I think is I have 2 pretty good reels that if I take care of, should last me a while, and they didn't cost me alot,which in some case's can be a rarity as high quality usually comes with a bigger price tag. So when some one comes here and ask's for an opinion on spinning reels, I just put my .02 in for the Presidants, they have treated me well so far. I tend to shy away from recomending the Daiwa's...........not because they are not good reels,but because I got the advantage super cheap, it's normaly a $140 reel, and I don't assume people automaticly have/need/want to spend that much on a reel (I know $140 is not much compaired to some of they higher end reels) and I don't think Daiwa makes the procyon anymore, and it was a Dicks exclusive reel made by daiwa so it was probably not distributed far beyond my region. I fish pretty regularly, 4-5 days per week from late march-november, 3-5 hours on weekdays 10+ hrs on weekends. So my gear gets a good deal of use. I expect the one Pflueger I use alot to last at least 5 years, and so far I think it will. The other should last me along time too as they do not get used as much. I already think that 3 seasons of heavy use on a $60 reel is a good sign of a quality product.

[roadwarrior]

Thank you ww2farmer, that was a very informative reply. So, durability does not seem to be an issue and they are reasonably priced making both brands a good value. That all makes sense to me.

[VekolBass]

I recently was surfing E-Bay and saw a no-name reel that the seller was asking $15 for. I bought the thing. I was manufactured by an outfit named Ningbo. It's a nice looking reel, and I fished with it this weekend for an hour or two, and it is as good as any spinning reel I've ever used. It may not last a season, but when it breaks I'll throw it away and look for another just like it. For $15 I can buy two a year for many years before spending what one Shimano costs. If you open up a spinning reel and look at the guts you will find it is not a Swiss watch, or anything close. Building a quality spinning reel isn't rocket science, and there really aren't any deep secrets involved. There may be reasons to spend $50, $75, maybe even $100 for a spinning reel (I can't think of one though)--but anything over that is simply insane.

[fish-fighting-illini]

I can hear the volcano's getting ready to erupt now LOL

Just kidding mainly

Vekol,

Nice post. You added a very down to earth perspective. Sure not everyone is going to agree but that is what forums are about. I don't think I could handle it if I owned a $400 or $500 Stella or ( whatever they are ) and it slipped out of my hands into the water. What if my buddy knocked it in? Things might be a little tense or get all out of whack. My Pflueger Medalist is a pretty nice reel with my Berkley lightning rod. Soon I'm going to get a mid price Shimano of some sort and try it and eventualy an $80 to $100 rod (maybe). My budget just doesn't allow for more for some time to come.

[paparock]

I have fished my Shimanos for 5 years + and my Daiwa, and Quantum Energy PTi-As are new this season. Only time will tell over the long run how each holds up. Like my new Daiwa Certate " you pays your money and you takes your chances." As with most new designs some will fall by the wayside and some will become the new standard by which others are judged.

[Turtle.]

[

I expect the one Pflueger I use alot to last at least 5 years, and so far I think it will. The other should last me along time too as they do not get used as much. I already think that 3 seasons of heavy use on a $60 reel is a good sign of a quality product.

[archer292]

I have used stradics on my lighter surf rods for the last five or six years and they still perform as new. Thats in the salt night in and night out. The durability of these reels should not be in question as long as they are cared for. I have the 2500 and 2500mgfa for freshwater and love them. If you want light weight go with the mgfa.

[jascott]

I have just purchased a Pflueger President 6735 Spinning Reel. I was going to use it for drop shotting. Any recommendations for a rod to match. What about using this reel for crankbait fishing. I have usually used baitcasters for cranking but I have read about using a spinning reel. Anyone use this reel for cranking?

Archie

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Penn

Pflueger

Daiwa

Fin-nor

Shimano

[Fish Man]

it doenst cost as much as u may want to spend or as some other reels metioned cost but my shimano sahara is a great reel for only 60 $ and has a wonderful drag

[Guest avid]

Just as an FYI I ended up with the steez.  It's incredibly light, smooth, with precision tolerences and excellent line capacity for the weight.  I am thrilled.

I had reel mech fix up my old 750 symetre.  I gotta tell ya, very smooth.  Very little vibration.  At 80 bucks I think it may be the best value in the spinning reel market.

I wonder what that new pflueger will sell for?

[Grey Wolf]

99.99 .

[KU_Bassmaster.]

.... Shimano Scorpion   : ;D

[Alpster]

Shimano Stradic 4000 & 6000 (saltwater), Twin Power 2500 and Stella 1000FB.

Ronnie

[justfishin]

You are getting sleepy......sleepy......sleepy, you want a Stradic....you need a Stradic....sorry dude, I am trying to hypnotize you into buying a Stradic and save you some time and money. ;D

[56 crestliner]

I have a stradic and i really like it.

[FishTank]

Shimano Sustain 2500 and 2 Quantum Energy Pti-20's.  

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Out of all the reels I have use over a period of time

Mitchell 300  used to be the best I owned as a kid  now just aboslute trashH 300ex didnt last 2 seasons  WHAT HAPPENED to this company

Pinnacle  Heavy Metl Dead Bolt  Beoke midway through the first season

Diawa I only used a regal for a year it worked fine but decided to try

Pflueger President  this is the only spiining reel I own Drags are Great, smooth running and it takes a lickin and keeps on tickin

[Bud]

                    recently was surfing E-Bay and saw a no-name reel that the seller was asking $15 for. I bought the thing. I was manufactured by an outfit named Ningbo. It's a nice looking reel, and I fished with it this weekend for an hour or two, and it is as good as any spinning reel I've ever used. It may not last a season, but when it breaks I'll throw it away and look for another just like it. For $15 I can buy two a year for many years before spending what one Shimano costs. If you open up a spinning reel and look at the guts you will find it is not a Swiss watch, or anything close. Building a quality spinning reel isn't rocket science, and there really aren't any deep secrets involved. There may be reasons to spend $50, $75, maybe even $100 for a spinning reel (I can't think of one though)--but anything over that is simply insane.                                      

 You throw your 15 dollor reel for a hour or two and then try it all day long with a good quality reel and you will see the difference.  It might be insane to pay more than $100 for a quality reel but I personal think you get what you pay for.

[Pond Hopper]

I am kind of int he same situation, trying to buy my girlfriend something that isnt terrible but I dont want to spend alot of money on a spinning reel because I am trying to get her to convert to baitcasters by telling her I will buy her whatever reel she wants.  She has a decent quantum reel now but her rod is terrible.  I sat there one day watching her get a bite (rod tip bouncing fishing a t-rig) and she couldnt feel it.  I dont know whether to just buy her a rod or get a decent combo until I can get her to switch to a baitcaster(she really likes the yellow pixy).  I thought about the new pflueger MG but dont know that I want to spend that money on something that wont get used much, because I fish spinning tackle .25% of the time.  I thought maybe a St. Croix Premiere Rod with a Sahara Reel?

[huskyjerk]

The only area of tackle purchasing where I have no hesitation with brand is with buying reels----Shimano makes great spinning reels and I have several that have performed flawlessly for several years. I used 4000's before I learned to use a baitcaster and they were great with heavier line.  Now I use mostly 2500 Symetres with 6 and 8 lb. test and they are great.

[T-rig]

Shimano Twin Power 2500, Daiwa Fuego, Daiwa Caldia Kix 2500.