Shimano vs. Abu Garcia

[Crankhead]

I realize that asking guys to compare which brand name reels they prefer sounds alot like asking if you like Chevy over Ford...so here it goes. In the past I've always bought Shimano reels (Stradics & Curados) and think they're some of the best reels on the market. They perform great, hold up extremley well and the cost is what you'd expect to pay for a good reel. I've been looking to buy a new spinning reel to use only with a braided line and came across the Abu Garcia Soron STX & Soron SX that have spools made just for superlines. I'd like to hear from anyone who has bought either reel and how you thought it performed using braided line. Would you recommend either of these two reels or stick with whats worked for you through the years...in my case...Shimano?

[J Francho]

The only thing they did was put a rubber ring on the spool to prevent slippage.  You can braid on any modern spinner, just be sure to use a few wraps of old mono, or an electrical tape backing.

[roadwarrior]

"The Best" is always whatever the responder fishes!

[Crankhead]

Yea I do put backing on. It seems like this reel was made to use specifically for braided lines. I'm asking others to see if they think the reel performs better than say a Stradic when you're using braid.

[carrollton-fisher]

For my braid setups, I use strictly Shimano Calcuttas, the 200b and 150 specifically.  I use these for bass and all of my saltwater applications as well.   No problems whatsoever, best money I ever spent.

[Grey Wolf]

No it doesn't perform any better.   JMHO

[0119]

There is something to be said for the Soron's aluminum rotor and bail arms compared to Stradics graphite.  I would is the design made to alleviate the need for backing to be worthwhile also.  You wont find it here, but search the proreelcleaning.com articles on another site that explains in detail the amazing deal the Soron is when compared to other spinning reels. No use saying anything about the curado, it is god here.

[Sam]

J is right.

Otherwise you will have a slippage problem.

I don't use braid on spinning rigs as I like the power of a baitcaster with braid.

But if you are going to use braid on a spinning reel be sure to use mono or tape as a backing and a rod that can take the pressure. 

[Sam]

To answer your query: Shimano! 

[WdyCrankbait]

This kind of sounds like you want to try something new instead of going back to the old things.  I love Shimano reels/rods!  But, they are like Toyota Camrys, always there, always reliable, very little frills.  I love my Curado!  I have actually thought about getting rid of my Revo Premier to get another Curado.  Not that anything is wrong with the Revo.

Get the Abu Garcia reel, they make great reels as well! 

[piscicidal]

I have used both a Stradic 2500FI and a Soron STX20 for about three years. I used to rate them about equally, but as I use them more I think I like the Soron a little bit more. The drag and the bail on the Soron is a little smoother. It seems a little more solid. I use them in saltwater and have caught big fish on both. They can both handle any bass you will encounter.

[central.PA.bass]

I'm not even going to reply to this thread!  It is all just a matter of personal preference... 

REVO  :-*

[Crankhead]

Thanks for all of the info guys...now it's time to go to BPS and/or Cabela's...take a look and make a decision.

[WdyCrankbait]

Have some fun and flip a coin!  Hhahahah  ok, just kidding, but post a picture when you get the reel.

[gotarheelz14]

Like RW said, "the best" will be whatever the responder uses. In this case, the responder has used various Shimano reels and various Abu Garcia reels.

I currently have 8 abus to my one shimano. The shimano is getting replaced soon...

[OnthePotomac]

I will only add that I have braid on a Daiwa 2500 Exceler and it works fine (two years now).

[adclem]

I bought a Soron STX last year to try out and it performed extremely well. I had no problems with the reel, the retrieve is smooth and the drag is smooth and powerful.

It just will come down to personal preference, there are a lot of spinning reels in this price range that are all excellent reels.

Later,

[Shane J]

Both would be fine choices, and it will really just come down to what feels better to you. Myself, I have been dying to get a Shimano Stradic Ci4 for over a year, but the way Abu Garcia has been doing it lately, I'm now leaning toward the new Revo Premier spinning reel. They are both great companies, with fantastic products and customer service, so get what feels right for you.

[Stasher1]

There is something to be said for the Soron's aluminum rotor and bail arms compared to Stradics graphite. I would is the design made to alleviate the need for backing to be worthwhile also. You wont find it here, but search the proreelcleaning.com articles on another site that explains in detail the amazing deal the Soron is when compared to other spinning reels. No use saying anything about the curado, it is god here.

x2

It's always funny to follow the posts from new members. They start off asking for advice about which reel they should buy for their first bass outfit, but within six months they're the ones telling newbies that they should buy a Shimano because they're the best.  :

Like every other forum, there's a small "inner circle" of users who actually know what they're talking about and the rest of the group just regurgitate what the "inner core" says as gospel. Anyone deviating from this pattern is labeled a troll.  ;D

Anyway, back to the OP's question. The new Pflueger Supreme XT has little rubber ridges in the spool and mine seems to be doing well with braid (no backing) so far. I would expect the Soron to do just as well.

[BassThumb]

Amen, Stasher!! Well said. It's even worse when people make strong comments on products they don't even own or have experience with, thinking that they have it figured out after playing with one in a store, e.g., Loomis vs. Dobyns threads.

When it's comes to reels, it's not always easy or accurate to compare reel quality from first impressions in the store. Many of them are over lubed from the factory, sometimes with low quality grease and oil. These would benefit from being cleaned and lubed right away, e.g., the Revo STX. Others benefit from a short break-in period. But after a few years of heavy use and repeated cleanings it becomes much easier to separate the wheat from the chaff. You can see which reels maintain their quality and which ones don't.

I use both Shimano and Abu reels, numerous of each. They're my two favorite reel manufacturers, but I think you get a little more bang for your buck from Shimano.

[Bass_Fanatic]

It is a known scientific fact...ABU is better. 

In fact, I think that is one of the doctrines of Tom Cruise's religion "scientology"  ;D

[johnD.]

I have two rods I use saltwater inshore one has a Saros 3000 the other is a Sustain 3000 both with #15 power pro , both handle braid equally.Close the bail manually , and tug on the line to get it tight before you reel , and you'll never get wind knots.

I only use braid on my spinning rods for saltwater.

For freshwater I only use mono.

[0119]

Yeah real bang for the buck Shimano is. Cant keep the eva grip on my CI4 but hey you can buy the entire handle assembly cause we dont sell the 25 cent foam piece. Handle grips of my Curado 100D's are like gum, oh sorry you cant get parts for that reel its already 3 years old.