On the hunt for a new spinning reel

[The Rooster]

As much as I love my baitcasters I know I will always have a use for at least one spinning reel/rod on my boat.

But recently I have become disillusioned with my Pflueger spinning reels. After having 2 President reels, both of which grind like a coffee maker, and the 2nd one getting worse all the time, I am now afraid to trust getting another one, or going higher and more money such as with the Medalist or Supreme.

So I am switching brands.

I want to hold the price to $100 or less if I can. I'm looking at Shimano of course (Symetre), and also at Daiwa, of which I have no experience with that brand at all but they "look" solid. While looking at them, several models actually, I see some of them have 7 bearings, and some have 8. I'm wondering where the bearings are placed at in the reels, and also where the extra one is at with the 8 bearing reels compared to the 7 bearing ones. Anyone have any experience with these reels to know??

Daiwa

Exceler - 7 bearings, $70

Tierra - 8 bearings, $125 normally but on sale at Cabela's for $95 puts it in my price range

Cabela's Prodigy - 8 bearings, $100 (made by Daiwa)

Cabela's Tournament ZX - 8 bearings, $70 (made by Daiwa)

Bass Pro Shops TD-Pro - 7 bearings, $120 but on sale for $80 (made by Daiwa)

Any other info on these would be useful as well. How smooth they are, how durable. Anything you know about them would help.

[Jake...]

spinning reel sub $100???

Shimanoooooooooooooo

[Dan:]

I've heard really, really good things about the Tierra. Out of the reels on your list, I would get the Tierra hands down.

[roadwarrior]

Symetre SY2500FJ...Strong, smooth, silent and reliant.

The best bang for the buck.

http://www.cabelas.com/p-0060367123667a.shtml

8-)

[-HAWK-]

My vote goes to the Shimano Symetre. Although I love and have never had a problem with my PFlugger President or Supreme. I am rough on these two reels and have not serviced them in two years. Not one problem yet.

[SirSnookalot]

I recommend only what I have personally owned and for at least 6 months of good hard use.

My 2 supremes are perfect after 1 year.

I'd buy 2 less lucky craft lures and buy a stradic fi.

The number of bearings is not always the measure of a better reel, Shimano does use fewer bearings than other mfgs, but some of their reels are of higher quality than those of their competitors

[Dan:]

Symetre SY2500FJ...Strong, smooth, silent and reliant.

The best bang for the buck.

http://www.cabelas.com/p-0060367123667a.shtml

8-)

Reliable?

[Raul]

From that list:

Exceler: excellent value, great reel for the price, silky smooth.

Tierra: for $95 is a no brainer.

Add to the list:

Shimano Symetre

[pizz]

Save a few more bucks and just get the new Stradic CI4 for $199.. after trying out reels over time.. ive learned that u do get what u pay for.. and going the cheaper route isnt always the ticket. The Stradic is really light.. has amazing castability and comes in a 1000/2500 as of now. so u can choose which one u want based on what application u are using it for. Also it has a higher gear ratio 6.0:1 vs most cheaper models so u can reel in slack or down on bites faster.

besides, Tackle Warehouse will probably have a 15% off sale soon again. or just ask for gift cards for your bday/xmas/anniv whatever.

hope this helps.

[kikstand454]

as usual.... when it comes to this im going to suggest the quantum incyte.

11 bearings and less than $60.

i have had one for both salt and fresh water for years now, and it still casts and reels like the day i got it with minimal maitenence by me.

it has been throwing braid in salt water and drop shots in fresh water and has caught many many fish including big reds,( including the one in my avatar) sharks and small grouper.

if youre going to use it for freshwater and even then only every once in a while.... why pay 200 bucks?

i know quantum is looked down on here and in some cases i understand why, and the other reels that youre lookin at and that others listed are great reels.

but for less than 60 bucks you can have a great reel and money left over to even get a clarus rod for it.

[islandbass]

Fortunately $100 buys a lot of spinning reel.

The fussing and decision undulation from this reel to that reel ends with the Shimano Symetre.  For bass fishing purposes, you don't really need to go any further than this.  Forward from the symetre is just icing on the cake.

Bam! Done! It's Over!  

[Jake.]

You couldn't go wrong with the Symetre or the Tierra.

[grimlin]

Tierra: for $95 is a no brainer.

I absolutely love mine.That thing is a work horse.

I want to get another one....  ;D

[chasiubao73]

I've picked up the Tierra as a my first Daiwa spinning reel. The reviews I've read have been overall pretty good with a few negative ones thrown in.  Like you said, it's on sale at Cabelas and I have $20 off so I jumped at it for under $90 with shipping.

My first reel when I picked up fishing last year was a Shimano Sahara which is still going strong.  My buddy started off with a Shimano Symetre. Sahara and Symetre are two solid bang for the buck reels.  However, one of the first lessons I learned was that not having a spare spool was a pain.  

Just going by what is on paper, the Daiwa Tierra seems like the best pick for you 1)on sale at Cabelas 2)spare spool 3)waterproof drag.

[dodgeguy]

pflueger medalist ,supreme or supreme xt.

[Craiger12]

The Shimano Saros can be found for about $100. One step up from the Symetry and a great reel.

[Bronzefly]

The Tierra, Symetre FJ, and the Pfluger Supreme are all fine spinning reels in the $100 range.  I'd suspect that you would be happy with any of them.  

[0119]

Im loyal to Shimano but theres only one spinning reel in my arsenal and its a Daiwa.   The Coastal which is a Tierra with CRBB's.   It is smoother and longer casting than the Stradic's and Symetre's I have owned in the past.   Very solid feel.

[Grey Wolf]

The Tierra, Symetre FJ, and the Pfluger Supreme are all fine spinning reels in the $100 range. I'd suspect that you would be happy with any of them.

X2.

[RoLo]

Symetre SY2500FJ...Strong, smooth, silent and reliant.

The best bang for the buck.

http://www.cabelas.com/p-0060367123667a.shtml

8-)

"Ditto"

Roger

[The Rooster]

Im loyal to Shimano but theres only one spinning reel in my arsenal and its a Daiwa. The Coastal which is a Tierra with CRBB's. It is smoother and longer casting than the Stradic's and Symetre's I have owned in the past. Very solid feel.

The Tierra claims to also have CRBB bearings.  Thanks for the post though.

[0119]

Yeah the Tierra has one or two crb's, the coastal is all crbb's.   Interesting that the Tierra is on sale, I wonder if its being phased out for a new model next year.  Especially with the rumors about the 'new' Daiwa owners turning the brand into a more high end enthusiast brand.

[Pantera61]

Tierra, unless you want to break into your Communion money and grab the Daiwa Advantage.  Spinning=Daiwa.

[The Rooster]

I'm lookin, I'm lookin.

That Shimano Stradic is lookin' pretty nice too though.

[Raul]

This is how I look at them:

Exceller.- great value

Symetre.- best bang for the buck

Tierra/Stradic.- very nice, but the Tierra for less than a 100 is a no brainer.