Your Favorite Spinning Reel

I am in the market for a new spinning reel and was hoping to get some input from all you walleye and crappie fisherman. What do you guys like ??

Shimano Stradic!!!!
Hands down the best spinning reel for the price. Fluid drive rocks!!!

After using many, many makes and models of spinning reels I can tell you that you cannot go wrong buying a Shimanno spinning reel. I have several models from ultra-light on up.

Eyehunter

I like Diawa reels. I only have 2 open face ones but they are good reels

I agree with Ranger29, the stradic is one nice reel, perfect for jigging.

The Stradic is a nice reel. But if I had $100 I would pick up two of these Abu’s. I have one on one of my St.Croix Avid rods and its a great reel. The center drag is excellent.

Would that powder blue reel fit on one those 3’ft pink/blue rods?

Probably not, but it would go with your dress and shoes.

Shimano Symetre & Soltace.

gotta agree with lil ripper on this one.

Okuma! Absolutely the best reel when comparing price and quality!

Good Fishing,
Mike

When you look at how many ball bearings the Okuma reels have compared to how many other brands have in the same price range Okuma wins hands down. Oh sure I have other reels too but I have switched 90% of my reels over to Okuma reels as they are great reels. Top quality products at very affordable prices. Below is a link to Hooked On Fishing as he sells them and also ships rods and reels to his many out of town customers.

Thanks, Bill

Hooked On Fishing

Spinning reels thread

Pfleuger President

I love Zebco 303’s THEY ARE HOTTTTTT

Ok I have and love Shimano Stradic’s

just so u all know the reel Derrick posted is on a close out sale at cabelas.com for 50 bucks right now.

Thats right jason.. But.. its not a close out sale.. Two for the price of one.. Its an excellent reel…

I was asked to field test the proto type back in 1997 way before it hit the market. It was first geared for the offsore angler for marlin fishing. Those fisherman wanted a center drag that would eliminate the hang up of having to adjust a front drag like on the Penn spinning offshore reels. But they wanted to also market the freshwater angler. I suggested to down size the reel to market the walleye and bass anglers and add anti-reverse. And there it is.. Its an awesome reel… Affordale and flawless..

I have one of the earlier model centerdrag Abu’s and I found it heavy and too easily readjusting it’s drag setting. If you’re fishing with a lot of contact on the spool (bail closing) or do a tournament “throw and go”, it wouldn’t maintain it’s setting. The main thing was the weight.

The new ones look better, I admit. But I haven’t gotten around to trying one.

Favorite reel? I’ve used many, many spinning reels and when someone asks for my favorite, cost is not a factor. Shimano Stradic………. period. I’ve had nothing but great experiences with any Shimano spinning reel, but my favorite is the Stradic. If I’m looking to stretch a dollar, I have plenty of options to feel great about. But if I’m looking to simply go for the biggest grin, I put out for it and get something like……….. a Stradic.

Bill buddy…… # of bearings means nothing. It’s the quality of the bearing that makes the difference. I have an Abu Cardinal CS10005, 5 bearing spinning reel that’s going bye-bye because I’ve had single bearing Shimano’s run circles around it.

Hey Jason, great to have a young fisherman here with us. Care to give us your age, alittle info about yourself, and what kind of fish you fish for and if you fish lakes or rivers? Thanks, Bill

Hey Bud, yep you Stillakid2, its past your bedtime. [11:42 pm] Try a good Okuma someday and see what you think. They are hard to beat for the money. Sure I like Shimanos, got some in fact, but the Okumas are really nice for the money.
Thanks, Bill

I tried some floor models last winter at Cabela’s and I didn’t like the way those felt. Not to say they’re bad, I just didn’t like what I felt compared to my on-sale-purchased Sedonas ($25.00).

For $20.00, I’m going to try a Mitchell Avocet Gold this year for sure. But only one and I’m going to work it over good and hard. My past Mitchell experiences have always left me wanting something else but the new design is getting a lot of approvals…… so the hype has me too curious to ignore it.

When we do an ARM or GTG Bill, bring your stuff so I can see what you have. Maybe give it a cast or ten?

Thanks Bill. I am 22 and mostly fish crappies on lakes or on the mississippi on pool 10. I like casting for bass and pike also. Every fall for about the past 10 years I have made trip up to Wisconsin musky fishing, which is a thrill like non other when that big one hits at the boat. Also, I try to get up to pool 4 as offen as possible for some great walley action.

Good morning Jason. Thanks for replying back. What are your favorite lures, plastics, and bait for catching crappies on the lakes and river? Thanks, Bill

for fishing crappies i always have a 1/32 jig with a yellow twister tail set up on a 6-6 st croix avid utrlalite, 4lbs test on a shimano symetre 1000. this definately is my go to set up. I only buy twisters that will have a rapid tail flutter when free falling even with the 1/32 oz. jig. I know that mister twister brand dont have the action i like so i dont buy them and dont know what brand it is that i buy i just know the local sport shop carries them. Second bait of choice is a pink crappie stinger.

What are some of everyone elses favorite crappie setup?

I have moved the conversation on crappie fishing over to the General Discussion Forum as this is a Spinning Reel thread and thanks to ME it got of track. Sorry. So please feel free to join in on what should be a great thread on crappie and bluegill fishing as spring is getting closer and this kind of fishing brings out the kid in all of us as they are alot of fun to catch.

Thanks, Bill

Favorite Crappie And Bluegill Fishing Techniques