Best Spinning Reel for under $100

[Lard_Bass]

This is following up on the BC thread. I have been looking for a spinning reel to go with my new St. Croix Avids (AS66MF and AS68MXF). I have a Daiwa Laguna 2500 that I enjoy and plan on pairing up with one of the rods. I have been looking at a Shimano Stradic/Symetre/Sahara/Sedona, Pfleuger President/Supreme, and Daiwa Tierra/Exceler/Capricorn/Theory.

I am looking for good value and would spend slightly over $100 for the right reel. I am partial to either Shimano or Daiwa. I was at Gander Mt. yesterday and thought the Stradic was very "silky" smooth. However, I thought the Daiwa Theory was smoother than the Shimano Symetre.

What is everyone's views and recommedations?

[Jake.]

Stradic. I don't own one, but I've used my buddy's several times. It's a great reel.

[dodgeguy]

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_94739_100001002_100000000_100001000_100-1-2

it's a no brainer.

[Gatorbassman]

Do a search on ebay for Okuma Inspira IS20. It is the best spinning reel I've used and you can't beat the price for the quality you get in return.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Okuma-INSPIRA-20-Front-Drag-Spinning-Reel-IS20-IS-20_W0QQitemZ160155131870QQihZ006QQcategoryZ36147QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

[5bass]

Pflueger Supreme 8035MG....extremely light and the drag system is silky smooth.

[Lard_Bass]

Dodgeguy & FBL, thanks for the heads up on the Supreme.  I have been reading on Tackletour that some posters have complained about a slight stiff retrieve and max drag is inferior.  Have you guys noticed any of those issues?

[joshmb1999]

I have the same avid you have (AS66MF) and I put a stradic 2500FH on it and LOVE IT.  I would go with the stradic.  I was wrestling with the same decision you are right now and then I found the stradic on sale at dick sporting goods for $99 - that made my decision easier for me.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the reels that you mentioned - they are all good reels but from experience with the stradic I would recommend it.

Good luck.

[5bass]

Dodgeguy & FBL, thanks for the heads up on the Supreme. I have been reading on Tackletour that some posters have complained about a slight stiff retrieve and max drag is inferior. Have you guys noticed any of those issues?

No. I currently have 4 of the Supreme reels. (3-8035MG's and 1-8030MG). I have not had any issues with any of the 4 I own.

In fact, I caught 2 stripers that were right in between 8# & 10# each 2 weekends ago on one of the 8035's that is spooled with 8# and the drag held up just fine.....it stayed consistently smooth thru both battles. Both fish were landed.

[Lard_Bass]

Are the 8035's comparable to a 2500 size for bass fishing?  

[dodgeguy]

slightly bigger.i think 2500 is to small especially if you use flouro.bigger spool means less line problems.i've never had a stiff pflueger.also,how much drag do these guys want on a spinning reel with 8-10 pound line?i've never had a drag issue.

[Micro]

If you are willing to spend slightly over $100, I recommend the Abu Garcia 802 or 804. These reels are build like tanks - all alumiumn bodies, rotors and sideplates, large use of brass and stainless steel, dual bearings under the spool elimiates spool wobble when under drag pressure, overbuilt bails, etc. Thase reels are extremely smooth and have super tough black crinkle finishes. No shiny bling, either. Suited for fresh or salt water.  Even the spare forged aluminum spool is as nice as the one that comes on it.

I have 2 802s and 1 804. I caught several striped bass on my 804 and it works, and looks, like brand new. Best spinning reels out there right now IMO.

[Lard_Bass]

also,how much drag do these guys want on a spinning reel with 8-10 pound line?i've never had a drag issue.

On Tackle Tour, I read that 20 lb braid was being used and the drag topped out at around 4-5 lbs.  Not an issue for me since I usually use #6 Yozuri Hybrid Ultrasoft.  

[Guest muddy]

OOPPSSSS I thought you said under $100! My favorite Spinning reel comes at 60 bucks the Pflueger President .

PS This area has long been very Pflueger loyal, but I have been noticing a lot of those Okuma rods and reels are starting to show up on a lot of my friends boats. I am sticking with Pflueger, because I always wind up cpoming back to them anyway, but I am starting to hear good things from some of my friends about those Okuma Products.

Sorry I don't have any fancy pictures of reels OVER 100 bucks and taken apart for you

[Micro]

"I am looking for good value and would spend slightly over $100 for the right reel."  

And don't worry about not having a picture of any other reel disassembled.  That all pretty much look alike.  Well except that the other reel wouldn't have as much stainless steel, or stacked ball bears, or brass, or over-built bail, or....  

[roadwarrior]

Hey!

Where's the posse?

Did you guys miss this thread or just getting tired of repeating the same ole' thing? Okay, this "might" have been mentioned before, but here goes:

Among Shimano enthusiasts, the only argument at this general pricing point is whether the Symetre or Stradic is the "best value".  To save some money, the "old" Stradic is on sale for around $80, about the same as a Symetre. (The new Stradic is totally redesigned and around $160). These reels are what I consider the "Best Spinning Reel for Under $100".  

[Lard_Bass]

To the Pflueger loyalists, why get a Supreme (or any Magnesium reel for that matter) if doesn't help balance your rod (see this thread: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1196007965)?

To save some money, the "old" Stradic is on sale for around $80, about the same as a Symetre. (The new Stradic is totally redesigned and around $160). These reels are what I consider the "Best Spinning Reel for Under $100".

Where have you seen it for $80? That's a deal. I have seen it on clearance at Dick's, Gander, BPS, and Cabelas for $99.  This may be a question for another thread but how is it that Shimano typically has less ball bearings than other manufacturers?  

[roadwarrior]

Delo's a week or two ago, but they are all sold. Here is the next best deal:

Shimano Symetre 1500 for $74.99.

http://www.deloscustomtackleshack.com/reels/shimanosymetrefi.html

[fishfordollars]

Okuma Inspira IS 20 or the Pflueger Supreme 8035 MG

[Ghetto_Basser]

Stradic all the way

[Fish Man]

the only two i use,,,abu garcia cardinal and the shimano sahara

[dodgeguy]

To the Pflueger loyalists, why get a Supreme (or any Magnesium reel for that matter) if doesn't help balance your rod (see this thread: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1196007965)?

To save some money, the "old" Stradic is on sale for around $80, about the same as a Symetre. (The new Stradic is totally redesigned and around $160). These reels are what I consider the "Best Spinning Reel for Under $100".

Where have you seen it for $80? That's a deal. I have seen it on clearance at Dick's, Gander, BPS, and Cabelas for $99. This may be a question for another thread but how is it that Shimano typically has less ball bearings than other manufacturers?

most spinning rods are more in balance than baitcasting imho.a lighter reel will make the whole combo lighter.if your balance point is the exact center of the reel like i like mine to be then reel weight will have nothing to do with balance.

[Grug]

I will chime in here as I have been buying/returning/selling all the reel models you have mentioned and there is only 1 model IMHO that is truely smooth and well worth more than you pay for it:

Shimano Symetre hands down..

Supreme stinks, not smooth and you feel the gears on retrieving vibrating baits like spinnerbaits.. Stradic is nice but Symetre is smoother. All the other Daiwa models (I just returned a Tierra to get a Symetre) are not smooth like the Symetre...

Spent alot of money and time to learn this over the last year and a half, but plain and simple, get a Symetre (1500 or 2500, no difference but the spool) and never have to look again.

Have fun shopping, I did...

[5bass]

Supreme stinks, not smooth and you feel the gears on retrieving vibrating baits like spinnerbaits..

I've not had ANY trouble from any of the Supremes I own. I have no complaints with them at all....but then again, I throw all of the big baits (spinnerbaits, crankbaits, traps) with casting reels. Spinning reels are not real workhorses when it comes to heavy baits anyway, thats why they make casting reels.

[Lard_Bass]

Supreme stinks, not smooth and you feel the gears on retrieving vibrating baits like spinnerbaits.. Stradic is nice but Symetre is smoother.

Interesting.  When I looked at the Symetre, I could feel the gears.  Not as silky as the stradic.  It could've been just the one I was looking at.  I will look at another one.  Thanks.

[Grug]