A good friend has narrowed his Walleye/Smallie reel choice down to;
Quantum Energy PT1A20
Pfleuger Asaro 30…
I love Pfleugers but have not tried an Asaro and have not fished a Quantum for some years…Feedback from you who have would be appreciated! 
I used to fish Quantum all the time.Since I started picking up the plueger reels a few years ago I came to the conclusion that a plueger is better quality for the money hands down for what I fish them for.I really like the drags on the Plueger supremes for a spinning reel I have never had one stick even on large fish running lots of light line out.
Quantums break.
Never tried a Phleuger, hear a lot of good things about them.
For me, it’s Shimanos and Daiwas all around.
I LOVE THE QUANTUM TOUR CASTING REELS BUT FOR SPINNING REELS PFLUEGER IS THE WAY TO GO!!!!
Even though my experience with Pfleugers is very minimal, I think they are pretty nice reels.
I’ll put in another vote for Shimano reels; I think they’ve come a long ways. I’m running mostly Shimanos and I just love em.
I love my Asaros!!! 
PFLUEGER all the way. I own 16 of them and will never look back. I do own the asaro and absolutely love it for the money you won’t beat it.
The Asaro is a very nice reel, not quiet has smooth as a PTI, but still very nice. The quantum’s have had issuses in the past with their anti reverse on the PTI line, I have had to repair two of my 20’s. The PTI’s are also kinda heavy, they balance long rods out nice 7’+ but wouldn’t put it on anything much shorter. Good luck in your reel search.
Shimano Stradic of Saros all the way. Since I have switched to the stradics, I have not had a reel failure and that is 5 days a week on the water. Scott
i’d like to give props to the Energy line of reels. i have never had a failure or problems with the 3 that I own. I just bought another one. Cabelas is having a great sale on them right now. normally $149 and I bought mine for $89.99
I am in the same boat with steveo. I think i’ve own four of them over hte course of the years and never have had any issues with them. i actually just bought the same one steveo mentioned too. they are great reels that have help up very well for me.
I think the first question that needs to be addressed would be what kind of stick (rod)would he be putting the reel on? Every rod has a different balance point!There are quite a # of great reels to pick from.Finding the (right reel )to balance the rod out for the ultimate total package should be addressed!I would go to local larger stores & find the rod of choice first.Then find a reel to balance my combo out so it sits when held normally with your fingers above reel seat & remove fingers from back of reel seat it will at a very least balance at a 9:00 position.Just a tad higher say 10:00 for the ultimate in sensitivity spinning combo!If you have the rod of choice & think you have a reel in mind & suddenly when you combo the 2 together & the rod tip hits the floor when you put the reel of choice on you might need to reconsider your reel choice.Possibly going up a size in reel or going with a different brand alltogether!You might not necessarily purchase from this store but at least you know what it takes to make the combo perfectly balanced.This would be a great starting point.I see very often guys using high end sticks over $200 & putting a mid grade reel which is too small on that does not balance the combo properly. 
I like to consider my budget on a total package then I would at very least spend 1/3 of budget on a decent reel that balances your combo.To spend $200-$300+ on a great stick & then put a $50-$75 reel that is a crucial link to the total package on for ultimate performance. 
I tend to spend near 1/2 my $ budgeted on a reel.Also remember the number of bearings in a reel is not what make it great!A higher grade bearing in a 4-6 bearing reel will be alot smoother & last flawlessly for years over a reel with 10+ lower grade bearings.It can be very disappointing when you have a fish of a lifetime on & have a reel failure! 
Just my $.02 Best of luck fishing all! WHITE TIP
Quantum reels for this guy! 
No troubles what so ever 
Shimano reels exclusively for me. Pretty much all of my rods have Stradics on them and a couple of symetre reels. I have a couple of Shimano Stradics that are easily going on 12-15 years of hard service. Clean them and lube them each spring and they keep on performing.
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Shimano reels exclusively for me. Pretty much all of my rods have Stradics on them and a couple of symetre reels. I have a couple of Shimano Stradics that are easily going on 12-15 years of hard service. Clean them and lube them each spring and they keep on performing.
yep. i have no complaints with Shimano. great reels. i just like the holograph that comes on the Energy reels. if you can’t fish good at least the reel looks good!
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