abu garcia cadinal 503

[shootermcbob]

I am thinking of adding a spinning rod and reel to my collection. So far, I have come up with the following four reels that will fit my budget. Abu garcia cardinal 503, diawa exceler, cabelas tournament zx, and shimano sahara. After playing with them at cabelas on a recent trip, the one that felt better to me is the abu garcia. However, I know nothing about any of these reels other than the stats that i can read on the box....how many bearings, gear ratio, weight, etc. What I would like to know from the group is which one is guaranteed to catch fish? ;D

OK. If you can't give me that , can you at least help with your experiences with any of the above reels? I have about 100.00 for the set so I am looking for a rod at about 50.00 well. Any insight would be appreciated.

[Raul]

From those I would forget about all the rest and get a Sahara, it 's a wonderful reel for the price.

[shootermcbob]

Raul, thanks for the input. What is better about the sahara?

[Crestliner2008]

Concur with Raul, I have several Sahara's and they are just plain workhorses of the highest calibre.

[ABC123]

Raul, thanks for the input. What is better about the sahara?

It say's Shimano on it. ;D ;D ;D

There are plenty of good combo's out there in the $100 range that would fit the bill, IMO. Pflueger, Diawa, Shimano, Abu Garcia, Cabela's, BPS, ect... I tend to lean towords Pflueger, but most companies make some really good equipment, and some not so good products. I wouldn't recommend Pfluegers lower end products but their President and Supreme spinning reels are better than their price tag reflects. Shimano, Cabela, BPS, Abu Garcia, and Diawa also make some really good stuff and some things that are not so good. Read the feedback on the online stores reveiw section, ask owners about specific items, and take your time buying, you will be much happier in the end, IMO.

Gear ratio, 5:1 to 6.5:1 is good. Spinning reels, for the most part, run lighter lures, and fishing the smaller lures a little faster is typically the norm.

Bearing count. 5 is standard for a reel that will hold up for a few years or more. More bearings than that is just adding to the "smoothness" of the reels feel.

Weight. This is what feels ok for you. I can't go back to heavy rods and reels after fishing lighter equipment, but light weight costs money, it all depends on what you can afford or are willing to spend.

[Jake.]

Even though I am not a big shimano fan, this looks like a good deal.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1190425221

[Red]

i have never owned a 503...but i have 101's and 104...plus C# casting reels, and they have all been good to me

[Raul]

For a 100 bones you can get a Sahara/Bass Pro Bionic Blade combo, the rod is very good and for 40 dollars ( reg price $80 ) it 's even better.  

[surfer]

I have a Sahara and a Cardinal.  Can't remember which cardinal.  They are both less than a year old and are my two primary reels.  Most of the time when I am fishing I could not tell you which one is in my hand if you asked me.  But when I do pay attention the Sahara is smoother.  I would buy 2 Saharas if I started over again.

[.dsaavedra.]

the sahara and cardinal are both great. my dad has a cardinal 504 and its great. but the sahara is probably better....why you ask, cuz like pflumis said...IT SAYS SHIMANO ON IT!!!!!! lol. but seriously, its good reel.