A whole bunch of reel stuff.....

[Fish Chris]

Alright now, for starters, I want to explain my sponsorship status with Okuma....

I had a really good relationship / sponsorship with Okuma for about 5 years. They always took really good care of me, and I had very little problems with my Okuma reels. In fact, I NEVER had even 1 of them completely fail on me, causing me to lose a fish. A couple bail springs I think.... and an intermittent slip of an anti-reverse bearing, but nothing major, even with as hard as I was on them.

However, unfortunately, their whole sponsorship arrangement changed, so that few, if any sponsees are directly sponsored by the HQ anymore. It was spread out to regional people who are now in charge. Supposedly nothing was to change, but in fact, everything did.

So, to make a long story short, now I'm free to use whatever reels I want to. Sure, I'll keep using the Okuma reels I have, and I might even buy another 1 or 10 in the future. Furthermore, I have no problem leaving the Okuma name / link, on my website... on my e-mails... at the bottom of my posts.... etc.

......Unless I were to get picked up by somebody else ;-) Now that would just be business :-)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, what are you guys favorite choices for spinning reels in the $60 to $100 range ? The size I'd be most likely to try first would be one of the large ones, as I still have a few brand new UL and ML Okumas right here on my shelf..... and remember, I'm the whacko that uses spinning reels to throw 5 ounce swimbaits ! So needless to say, I'm murder on my big spinning reels !

I picked up and played with a Shimano Sahara 4000. It felt solid, smooth, and well built.....

However {and I experienced this very same thing 15 years ago with my old Shimano Stradic} the pressure required to turn the handle feels "heavy" ??? I mean, yea' sure, it feels silky smooth, and very precision, it just takes more pressure to turn than my Okumas did..... and WAY more pressure than my old Daiwas did. {I used to be pretty much a Daiwa guy before I got picked up by Okuma}

My local tackle shop doesn't even carry Daiwas.... what the heck is up with that ???

So anyway.... I dunno'..... but I'm open to anything.....

How are the $60 to $100 Daiwas nowadays anyway ? How about Brownings ? Quantums ? Phleugers sure look nice nowadays too. But is it only cosmetic ?

Any input will be greatly appreciated. Heck, I haven't even picked up another brand of reel in 5 years, let alone used one !

Much thanks,

Fish

[MitchIsFishin]

Chris, I thought I was the only one that beat the crap out of spinning gear and still expected it all to work perfectly. I hope the okuma situation works out, and FWIW, I have a 'dicks special' stratus, which according to okuma is an SGT20 spinner. I like it, 4 years old, still smooth, easy (relatively speaking) to work on. That said, I have a Trion GX7, which isn't bad considering price, a Symetre 1500 which I like a lot, and a Cardinal 502 albi which I think is the best deal out there. I'm positive you get to fish more than me, so I wouldn't know what to recommend for super heavy duty usage, other than the Abu or look at the Shimano stuff. I haven't had an opportunity to use any Daiwa spinning gear, so I'm no help there. Let us know what you do.

[iFisch]

I like Okuma. The VSystem is comparible to that of the Stradic, and similar.

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewokumavs20.html

Pflueger, BPS, Abu and Daiwa make nice $50-$100 spinning reels. I feel Okuma makes better reels above the $100 range, but that's just me.

I've fished the Pflueger's, and Abu's and feel they are similar, but the Pflueger being a little lighter. Another SOLID contender is Tica reels. They used to make parts for Shimano back in the day, so they know how to make parts. I like their reels as well.

If you're happy with what you have, stay with Okuma, unless otherwise.

[Fish Chris]

Right on. Thanks guys. Yes, I definately have enjoyed my Okuma's. I primarily used the Inspiras, but also had one VS.

Like I say, I'm just in a position now, where I can try some other stuff just for kicks, and if I like it, fine. If not, I can get some more Okuma stuff, or whatever.

Anyone follow me on the Shimano's having that "more pressure required to turn the handle" feeling ? I mean it doesn't feel rough... or like a malfunction.... it just feels like say, closing the door on a bank vault. Totally solid, very precision, and you could probably do it with 1 finger...... but because it weighs 3 tons, it takes a bit for it to get going..... I dunno' how else to explain it....

I do want to go play with some of the new Daiwas too though. I swear with those, you could darn near spin the handle by blowing on them !

Peace,

Fish

[Jeff H]

Yup, definitely Daiwa.  Your instincts are good there.

[bilgerat]

Chris, in my opinion, you owe it to yourself to check out Pflueger's reels. The President or the Supreme would fit your needs well.

The Supreme with it's magnesium frame is awesome. Light as a feather, flawless line management, butter smooth drag. I know you are a braid guy, I have braid on mine and have had zero troubles. It retails at $99. You will NOT find a finer magnesium reel at this price.

Don't let the extremely light weight fool you, it's a solid reel. Then again, those Okuma's are some of the heavier reels on the market. Most other reels will probably feel funny to you in comparison

As far as the Shimano thing you mentioned, I had an intermittent binding issue with my Sahara, but I've had bail issues over the years with other models. That's what led me to look elsewhere for reels. I'm very happy with my Pfluegers.

Here is the link to their site so you can check out the entire line:

http://www.pfluegerfishing.com/home.html

[KYntucky Warmouth]

I would suggest the upper line of Pfluegers in the President and Supreme reels.  Haven't fished a Supreme but love my President, I use a size 40 which I have heard is a light saltwater reel and too larger for bass and that is just rubbish.  A little heavy, around 11oz I believe, but has no hindrance on my ability to fish with it all day.  It's a very smooth and tightly built reel and have heard even better about the supremes.  

I also just purchased an 08 Quantum Energy from Cabelas in the 30 size.  Again it's a little big and heavy but around the same as the size 40 President.

[LAO162]

The Daiwa Exceler is not perfect, but I routinely choose it over my Stradic FH.  Great casting & line management.  It can be a little tough to trip the bail by cranking, but I flip by hand anyhow.  Biggest drawback is that bail occasionally trips on a hard cast, but it has happened with my Stradic as well.

[aarogb]

    I would go with Quantum for spinning and baitcasters.  That is all I use and I have NEVER had a problem with ANY of my reels.

[Micro]

How are the $60 to $100 Daiwas nowadays anyway ? How about Brownings ? Quantums ? Phleugers sure look nice nowadays too. But is it only cosmetic ?

Don't bother with new Brownings.  The old Browning spinning reels  (made in Korea) were very good, indeed.  They were so similar to Pfluegers that it was clear there was some kind of relationship.  I had a couple of Citoris that were great but I ended up given them to some co-worker's kids.  They are now using them and they are still ticking.  

The new (made in China) reels are unworthy of the Browning name.  I used one a few years ago on a smallmouth trip and it simply failed on me.   After a few hours use it got all but impossible to crank.  When I got home I found that a very thin copper washer on the shaft got sucked, somehow, into the anti-reverse bearing.  I broke the reel down completely and found slivers of copper in the bearing, and some wrapped around the shaft.  In short, it was a mess.   I didn't even try to fix it.  Right into the trash.  

Right now, all I use is Abu Garcia and Daiwa.   The Abu Garcia Cardinal 700 series is bullet-proof.  It's all metal - frame, sidecover, rotor, bail arms, etc.  It is a big roller and line twist is minimal.  It's smooth, but not super smooth like a Shimano Sustain.  But the upside is that you do feel very connected to your lure with this reel.   On a sensistive rod, it makes the whole package come alive.   I recommend this reel highly.

[Dan:]

Check out the Daiwa Tierra-- I've heard very good things about it.

[SirSnookalot]

I don't fish anything but spinning(with braid) for fresh and saltwater. For the money you can't beat the pflueger president xt, I prefer it to the supreme and I have both. I have had great success with abu cardinals, have caught many 10-20# snook on 802&804(only difference is spool size)  I made an improvement to the cardinal 802 by replacing the handle with the larger 804, cost $10, wound up be a great move.

What I would take good long look at (cost more ) is Quantum Cabo, just nothing better, except maybe a Van Staal.

[bass wrangler569]

I'm in no way knocking pflueger but I would stay away from them if you fish very hard, especially if you plan on using large swimbaits with them. I have several pflueger presidents, and while I do believe they are probably the best reels in their price range, they do not hold up to a lot of abuse. All of mine started to decline performance wise after about a year. For the angler who fishes less than 20 times a year ,they're okay, but if you fish hard you're gonna wear 'em out, at least that's been my experience.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

For the value, you HAVE to investigate the Prseident line-up.  

Personally, I would spend the couple dollars more and get a Tierra.  You can use it in the salt also.

Excellent drag system with a metal clicker, no plastic

Finish is rash and scratchproof

very smooth and an excellent anti-reverse.  The one I bought when they came out is still nice and tight and I honestly don't take care of my stuff.  I beat it up and replace it but this thing is still like new.

[Fish Chris]

Much thanks again guys ! I'm kind of surprised that Phleugers are getting so much attention nowadays. I guess they have been kind of moving up in the fishing world for the last few years.

SirSnooks

I don't fish anything but spinning(with braid) for fresh and saltwater

See now, I never really thought you were such a bad guy ;-) .....and certainly not a bad angler !

So, I guess I will have to hold / play with a P. President..... And then based on my past great experiences with Daiwa, I might have to consider a Tierra as well.....

Speaking of Tierra, if I'm not mistaken, that's this models name :-)

Normally I prefer to fish by myself, but for her, I'll make an exception ;-)

Hey..... I just had a fun idea.... I haven't been to the new BPS store in Manteca CA, only about 1 hr 15 min from me. Might be a good place to go check out a bunch of reels in person.... soon.

Peace,

Fish

[SirSnookalot]

I gave this one a bit of thought and you probably can't go wrong with any reel in the 75-125 range. Drags & handles are smooth and as far as durability, your gonna buy new technology in a year or 2 anyway. Get the weight you want and make sure it pleases your eye. Above that 125-150 mark what you get is a boost to your own ego it will not handle fish measurably better, the tool is only as good as the one using it...........you know that!

As far as Tierra and I saw her, that pic was 5 years old, she probably goes 300# now.

[roadwarrior]

Step up and buy the Shimano Stradic 4000FI. You will never look back.

http://fish.shimano.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/index/products/reels/spinning/Stradic_FI.html

8-)

[SirSnookalot]

Can't knock the stradic fi 4000, I have one and it is flawless. Imo 4000 is way way too big for bass, 20# drag, close to 300yds of braid

( Chris only uses braid and I would doubt if he topshots ) and weighs 11 1/2 oz. Best bet is the 2500, 15# drag and weighs considerably less, less line capacity,it's all you need.

This little guy was caught on abu 802 and medium rod

[roadwarrior]

I agree, the 2500FI is the one for bass, but Chris probably wants

something he can use for other species. We use the 4000 for striper

fishing. He probably should have both!

8-)

[SirSnookalot]

My mistake, I had missed where he was focusing on the 4000 size, I apologize, even though I would still go with 2000 or shimano 2500, that's my style of fishing.  He mentioned 5 oz swimbaits, now we are talking rods, as the size reel isn't as important.

I had a nightmare recently and woke up in a cold sweat, had dreamed I bought a B/C and mh rod.

[Tanker4lyfe]

In my opinion you cannot beat SHIMANO'S current line up.

For spinning youve got the symetre's which are awsome and run around $70 and for BC youve got both the curado E's $150 AND THE Citica E's $100. you truly cannot beat these for the quality specs and price. O ya and customer service is the best in the business!!!

[MitchIsFishin]

So funny to have a post deleted because you offer an opinion....

I don't agree. I think Shimano makes some fine reels, as does many other manufacturers, and I believe you buy what feels best in your hands and what works on the water. For those who feel XXX is best, get a life, look at other gear and make a personal decision. This is getting ridiculous. Glenn, thoughts?