OK Guys…I need some opinions here. 
I’m buying a few reels for fairly heavy usage in my Guide business. I fish mainly walleyes and smallies with 6’to7′ St Croix M-ML rods and 6-8# test line. I’m looking for 40-50$ price range reels that are dependable with smooth drag systems.
What are your suggestions? 
Thanks a bunch! 
Got to like the Shimano reels. Sahara’s are pretty tough.
Tom, I am a Shimano guy for open face spinning reels. I like the Sonora for $39 and the Sedona at $49. I have a number of both models and they work very well. They have anti-reverse and smooth drags!
I do have one Stradic! Its my best reel……very smooth operation!
Nate and I have switched alot of our reels over to Okuma and really like them. Also have some Shimanos and Quantums. Thanks, Bill
Which Okumas have you and Nate tried Billy?
Take a look at the Daiwa Capricorn. This years model has a slight up grade to it so last years are going for about $60. Not bad for a real that was priced at $120 last year.
Tackletour.com has a few reviews on reels that might be interisting to look at.
Pflueger Solara 5730
For $49.99 and a buttery smooth system you can’t go wrong…I’m on my 2nd year with two of these reels…you won’t be sorry Tom !!
Trophy Pro TP15, Avenger AV20, and Avenger AV15 for the spinning reels. They also make fancier ones too. Which ever brand reels you decide to go with I would buy one reel first and try it before deciding to buy a bunch to make sure YOU like it. Thanks, Bill
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Tom, I am a Shimano guy for open face spinning reels. I like the Sonora for $39 and the Sedona at $49. I have a number of both models and they work very well. They have anti-reverse and smooth drags!
I do have one Stradic! Its my best reel……very smooth operation!
Dido to what Bobber said….
Good Advice O wise one…
Found myself in the same boat last year. I went to Gander Mountain and bought their guide series. These reels are made by Okuma and are very smooth.
I have the rear drag model as it is my favorite. Let me tell you since using it my Symetre has taken a back seat to the Guide Series reel. I paid $39.95 for it. Can’t go wrong with most of the reels these folks have mentioned above either. Good luck! 
I to am a Shimano guy… By far the best reel for the money. I have numerous Sedonas and Saharas, going on there 4th year of guide use without a problem. I also have 4 Stradics going on there 4th year. But for the money you can’t go wrong with a Sedona.
Money…………….Sedonas
Durability………….Sedonas
Dependability……….Sedonas
Versatility………….Sedonas
If you look around for last year’s models, you can find Sedona’s for as low as $29.95 so do some shopping.
The Solara mention is a good one and Gander’s clearing those out for $40/each.
Riveratt…………Are you sure it’s Okuma making GS reels for Gander? They’re the spittin’ image of the Tica Libra Series……….and I happen to own one of each. Is this a recent development? I bought mine 2 years ago.
Tica Libras are wonderful reels…just wished they made a size smaller than the 2500. They are quite a bit more than 40-50$ also.
I found a Sedona for 29$=shipping…I’m going to try one before I stock up. 
pflueger president, 60 bucks, and a free gear bag. 10 bearing real, silkier than silk retrieve, and a pretty good drag. Be sure to check ’em out.
yeah that pflueger is a great deal for only 60 bucks at gander mt. it has 10 ball bearings and smooth
i just throw out a long piece of string and when i get one i just wrap it up on a stick dosnt have a very good drag but !! 
I think they call that Handlining Gator! 
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Riveratt…………Are you sure it’s Okuma making GS reels for Gander? They’re the spittin’ image of the Tica Libra Series……….and I happen to own one of each. Is this a recent development? I bought mine 2 years ago .
I bought mine last summer and had compared them to the Okuma’s sold across the street. They appeared identical. The Gander rep also said they were made by Okuma.
I never heard of the other brand mentioned however. This last year was the first time our local Gander carried their own name brand reels too.
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Riveratt…………Are you sure it’s Okuma making GS reels for Gander? They’re the spittin’ image of the Tica Libra Series……….and I happen to own one of each. Is this a recent development? I bought mine 2 years ago .
I bought mine last summer and had compared them to the Okuma’s sold across the street. They appeared identical. The Gander rep also said they were made by Okuma.I never heard of the other brand mentioned however. This last year was the first time our local Gander carried their own name brand reels too.
I was wondering if maybe they switched the contracts. It didn’t dawn on me until now that I did get mine on a clearance for $59.95. That must’ve been during the transition. Anyway, the ones from 2 years ago and back (a little bit) were made by Tica, a spinoff from Daiwa. I’ve had “reel” good luck with both but sometimes the bail trips premature on the GS model. My Libra hasn’t done that. Beyond that one little quirk that doesn’t happen very often, they’ve been great! But for helping Tom out, I don’t think they’re any better than Sedona’s for getting the job done. They may be a shade smoother, but I’ve got Sedona’s hitting their 5th season with me without so much as a hiccup in performance and they feel as good today as the day I brought them home. 
I also vote for Shimano. Have yet to have a problem with the reels and consider them an excellent value.
A little info about Stillakid2..
Stillakid2 is a walking, talking tackle store. He has one of just about every lure, jig ,rod , reel, and plastic made. Gotta like having a Tournament Partner with a little extra equipment just in case…… 
He is also good for a few laughs through out the day.
I have to throw in a vote for the Shimano Sedonas. Tough to beat for a mid-range reel. They get my vote for sure
I haven’t had good luck with the Sedona drags. I switched to Pfluger last year and they are much better IMO for a mid price range reel. The Symetry and Stradic are excellent reels.
Guess I should explain why I like the Gander Mountain brand better than my symetre. I simply do not like the “instant” anti-reverse the new Shimano’s have.
My first symetre had just a touch of slack before it grabbed and I prefer that much more. The Gander brand does that as well.
I still have my original symetre and love it. I had my “new” symetre stolen and decided not to replace it with a similar.
I had heard that the Shimano sedona isn’t as instant but never tried it.
By and far the Shimano is a perfect reel for the money. But the Guide Series is also a worthy reel and is a little less money. 
Hey Tom I would also have to reccomend the Okumas I have been using them for the past year now and absolutly love them put the rest of my reels to shame.
Mike at Hooked on Fishing has a ton of them in stock and very well priced.
say if you get down in the pool 4 area and want to go out fishing and try the reels let me know see if we can hook up.
Thanks for the offer Nate! I have two trips in April and one in June where I am guiding only the first day for the clients, then I’ll have a day or two of free time while at Evert’s. Would love to get Bill out too…we may laugh to much to fish! 
PS appreciate your thread on the Passion 
My vote goes out for the Cardinal series from Abu Garcia or the Avocet from Mitchell.Both great reels for the $.
Ryan Hale
Galyans have Shimano Sedona’s on sale right now for $29.99 thats better than EBAY!!!!!!!They have an add in this weeks Outdoor News.
SWEET! I believe they’re closing out the old models. The new ones have a closer resemblence to the updated Stratic FH models. Regarding “old”, that’s the same style that’s been serving me superbly for 5 years now. Don’t confuse “old” with “junk”. These are incredible reels!
Ryan,
I gotta tell you ………….. Mitchell must’ve went on a massive quality improvement campaign because their newer stuff sure operates better on the store shelves better than the old stuff! It hasn’t brought me to the point of buying one yet, but Abu continues to get a reel or two into my hands annually! Some are better than others but overall I do enjoy using them.
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