What Spinning Reel To Get?

[Bluebasser86]

I finally went out and got the rod I've been drooling over for awhile the other day. It's a St.Croix Legend tournament 6' 8" medium XF that I'll be using mainly for shakeyheads. My original plan was to get a Stradic C14 2500 for it, but after putting one on the rod and playing with it a little bit I'm not really sure I like it. The tapered handle felt weird in my hand, it wasn't any smoother than the Symetre I have, and it was so light it didn't balance the rod at all. It isn't completely out of the picture but it has me considering other options. I'll probably stick with Shimano unless I find a good deal on something else. I'm just not sure If I should get another Symetre and call it good or if it would be worth stepping up to the Saros or a regular Stradic? My Symetre's I have get fished a ton and work great but I haven't messed with the Saros or Stradic at all so if you have one I'd like to hear what you think of it and if it would be worth spending the extra $$$ on it! Thanks!

[Dave T.]

I have both the 2500 series CI4 and a regular Stradic FI. The only advantage the CI4 has over the regular Stradic is reduced weight... and it's a significant difference and important for me. If I'm wading the river, I like a light outfit, as I will have it in my hand all day. Initially, I thought the handle might be an issue, but after using it, it turns out to be a non-issue... at least for me. I bought one for my son, and he never noticed the handle, and really likes the reel.

With that said, if weight is not an issue, a Stradic (or other similar sized Shimano like you mentioned) would be fine. If weight is an issue, you could always look at the new Pflueger Patriarch or Supreme. There are some other fine reels on the market... like some of the Diawa's. However, I like the faster retrieve and the beveled edge spool on the Shimano's.

[Jig Man]

I have 2500 Stradics and Symmetrys. There is not that much difference in their performance but I like the Stradic just a bit more.

[J Francho]

Stradic or Advantage.

[NH Tracker175]

if you choose to get a different brand the abu garcia stx20 is an excellent spinning reel,but it is very light

[Hooligan]

The CI4 has a couple things that the Stradic doesn't and I find myself liking it more and more. That said, I have both and am completely happy with both. On my 6-8 MXF I have a Sustain and a Stradic FI. They both balance the rod better than a CI4.

[SirSnookalot]

Just about any reel priced up to $200 is going to perform fine, that said I wouldn't spend $200 on a freshwater reel, just don't see the need. As long as the reel performs well, balance and feels good, then catches my eye, that's good enough for me.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Up to $200 is a generous budget for a spinning reel. It's hard to wrong with any of the name brands. I regularly recommend Pflueger spinning reels as a bang for your buck deal. I also have a Stradic ci4 2500 that I like a lot.

[Raul]

Right now with *** clearancing reels the best spinning reel your money can buy under 200 dollars is Daiwa´s Advantage.

I´m a die hard Shimano man but when it comes to spinning reels I put my money on Daiwa.

[BASSclary]

+1 for the Daiwa Advantage, especially on sale.

[jignfule]

I have a stradic CI4, a stradic FH, so far am really impressed with my pflueger president. Might want to take a good look at the Patriarch

[Mr Red Sox]

The Advantage is a easy choice, especially with it being on sale at Tackle Warehouse for $99 and free shipping.

[JacobK]

did you get the "finesse" rod? if so i have a 3000 ci4 on mine and i love it.

[tmier]

X2 on the pflueger president. I put the patriarch on the st croix eyecon 7' m xf I wanted and it felt unbalanced. Casting and holding this setup on a river all day was comfortable and only $50 bucks for the reel.

[Bluebasser86]

did you get the "finesse" rod? if so i have a 3000 ci4 on mine and i love it.

Yes it is the finesse model, don't think I need anything quite as big as the 3000 though. I'll be fishing mostly 8lb test and not making super long casts so I don't need a large line capacity. I'm a little nervous about trying a Diawa because the only Diawa spinning reel I've owned was a couple years ago and the bail spring broke the second time I used it. I've used a Pfluegar trion before and for the money it is a really nice reel. I might have to look at them a little bit more before I make a decision on a reel. Thanks everyone for your input!

[preed37]

Imo I love quantum energy pt VI reels, spinning and casting. I have a pt VI size 20 on a veritas medium action xf and love it. It balances well and the whole set up it light. I would recomend a quantum...

[Abu Vasili]

I have the Abu Garcia STX20 as mentioned above, 139.99.... i love it.

[johnD.]

The new Stradic will be in stores after ICAST.

They will have X-ship which is currently only used in the Stella , X-Ship Double Bearing Supported Pinion Gear • Ultra-Light Handle Rotation • Increased Gearing Efficiency and Power

[Bronzeback Scuttler]

I just bought 3 TD Advantage 2500A spinning reels at Tackle Warehouse for $85.00 each during the 4th of July sale. There is no way your going to find a better reel for that price.

[flippin and pitchin]

My local dealer has Stradic FI models at 25% off on the select Shimano dump going on. That would be my choice and I have 3 Soros' and a Symetre.

[BassThumb]

Personally, I would buy this and put the $70 remaining towards something else. There's always something else you'll need.

Shimano Stradic 2500FI:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Shimano-New-Stradic-2500FI-ST-2500-FI-Spinning-Reel-/170663537123?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27bc56e9e3#ht_1454wt_907