wishin4fishin Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 OK guys I'm in a bind. I need a new Spinning reel for drop shotting and light plastics since my old Quantum gave up the ghost late last summer. My decision was made toward the Symetre and I even had the green light from the Misses 8-) to go ahead and buy and then I read a couple of nice reviews on Abu's rock-solid Cardinal 700LX. What I'm reading is that the Cardinal has nearly bullet proof materials and assembly, if not quite the silky smoothness of the competition. My price range is right at a hundred big ones and some change. Anybody have any strong feelings one way or the other and why? I've always loved the input I get here so feel free to enlighten me once again. Quote
hawgchaser Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 You can't go wrong with either one. I have spent a lot of time fishing both and prefer the Abu simply bc I take a few trips to the gulf each year for redfish. The drag on the 702xl is superior in everyway IMO. It is also rated for saltwater. They are both great reels and will serve you well. The Abu is tough as nails though! I bought a couple of them... Quote
wishin4fishin Posted February 17, 2009 Author Posted February 17, 2009 You can't go wrong with either one. I have spent a lot of time fishing both and prefer the Abu simply bc I take a few trips to the gulf each year for redfish. The drag on the 702xl is superior in everyway IMO. It is also rated for saltwater.They are both great reels and will serve you well. The Abu is tough as nails though! I bought a couple of them... Actually Hawgchaser, your review was one of the articles that got me in this predicament in the first place. I was all set to pull the trigger on the Shimano over at TW when I read it. Please forgive me if I wait to see what a few others have to say. I must admit right now I could go either way. Quote
hawgchaser Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 There is no doubt you will find more support for the Shimano reel on here. Not very many people have fished the 700 series. The Symetre has a little smoother feel to it and is a good reel. Like I said before, you can't go wrong with either....unless you will be using it for inshore then go with the Abu for sure. Enjoy whatever you get! Quote
Super User SirSnookalot Posted February 17, 2009 Super User Posted February 17, 2009 Food for thought.........try and find an abu cardinal on ebay, much superior than the 700 series, I own 2 both used in saltwater and I like them as much as my stradic fi. I also bought 2 pflueger supremes( not the xt model) on ebay for around 80 and they are excellent too, I use 1 of them in saltwater almost daily with no adverse affect even though they are magnesium (rinse them off) The abus and pfluegers are lighter too. Quote
MitchIsFishin Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 I think either way you are going to be happy. Have the last model of the Symetre and like it, but recently played with the 702LX. VERY nice, all aluminum side plates, rotor, and the one I played with was quite smooth. I think Reeds has them on sale. Quote
guitarkid Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 Cardinals are good reels, However if you are looking for a good reel in that range, (I know how this looks) try a flooger Medalist, I am going by my personal experience, not by any brand "superiority" or "join me in this company" type thing. Plus a medalist is around $80, leaving you twenty to spend on plastics and weights or what not. -gk Quote
MitchIsFishin Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 Pflueger Medalist/Presidents, great reels. Another great suggestion. BTW, Reeds has the Cardinal 700 series reels on sale at 79.99, 30 bucks off. IF you go with Abu, here's the ticket. Quote
wishin4fishin Posted February 17, 2009 Author Posted February 17, 2009 Pflueger Medalist/Presidents, great reels. Another great suggestion. BTW, Reeds has the Cardinal 700 series reels on sale at 79.99, 30 bucks off. IF you go with Abu, here's the ticket. Awesome price at Reeds. This may have made my decision. Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted February 17, 2009 Super User Posted February 17, 2009 Well, I guess the Shimano Posse is just tired of responding to "The Best" threads. Past polls are not statistically sound, generally less than 100 responses vs a potential universe of 19,000. Still, Shimano is generally favored by 59-69% in these polls. Perhaps you find that meaningless, but it's still interesting I think. The Symetre is a fine real, period. If you can find a way to step up[ to the Stradic 2500FI, that would be better. This reel was awarded ICAST "Best In Class". -Kent a.k.a. roadwarrior Sheriff Quote
Super User SirSnookalot Posted February 17, 2009 Super User Posted February 17, 2009 I also have medalist, larger one 7050 I use for cuda, but it may be the smoothest of all the reels I own. Medalist all thru the line are heavy, but it's a terrific reel. Quote
skillet Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 No secret, I REALLY like Shimano. I own a Symetre 2500 and have had no problems with it. Have landed nice fish with it and know the drag is smooth as all getout. Having said that. While in FL last year, met a guy that seemed to know what he is talking about. He was a Shimano fan until he started salt water fishing. He was of the opinion they didn't hold up well in salt. If you're going to use the reel in just fresh water, no problem (Symetre). If using it in both types of water, you might give this some thought ... skillet Quote
wishin4fishin Posted February 17, 2009 Author Posted February 17, 2009 Well, I guess the Shimano Posse is just tired of responding to"The Best" threads. Past polls are not statistically sound, generally less than 100 responses vs a potential universe of 19,000. Still, Shimano is generally favored by 59-69% in these polls. Perhaps you find that meaningless, but it's still interesting I think. The Symetre is a fine real, period. If you can find a way to step up to the Stradic 2500FI, that would be better. This reel was awarded ICAST "Best In Class". -Kent a.k.a. roadwarrior Sheriff I don't find it meaningless at all, RW, I know how solid Shimano products are in general, and that's why this decision is really tough for me. I love my Citica BC's and I know without a shadow of a doubt that the Symetre is a heck of a reel. Quote
MitchIsFishin Posted February 18, 2009 Posted February 18, 2009 Again, you probably would be happy with either, but if it's me, I'm going to go play with both of them and satisfy myself. I have played & fished with the new Symetre, a very nice reel. Like my Symetre. If I had it to do over, I would buy a 702LX, simply a better built reel. I like Shimano stuff too, but they don't have a lock on quality. Quote
Flywatersmallie Posted February 18, 2009 Posted February 18, 2009 I went out, shortly after Christmas to get a reel for one of my stream smallie rigs. I had it narrowed down to a Shimano Saros and the Abu Cardinal 802. I left with neither, I got a Daiwa Tierra and have no regrets. Moral of the story.... go play with lots of reels and keep an open mind. There might be that jewel out there that you just didnt think about. Lots and lots of rock solid reels out there in that $100 range. Quote
wishin4fishin Posted February 18, 2009 Author Posted February 18, 2009 OK - made my decision. I kept running back to that sale page on Reeds' website - at $79.99 plus shipping I figured I better jump on the Abu. Thanks everybody for chiming in on yet another A vs. B post. Quote
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