HEllo guys, I am currently having a guy make me 2 rods, and im in the market for 2 good spinning reels, i dont want to spend 200 dollars a reel but i also do want any junk, so i was wondering what all of you guys use that you like and the stuff you have used and not liked..
thanks Jeremy 
Here was an earlier discussion on the same topic.
I have a hard time beating the Symetre when it comes to reliability and value. That’s pretty much what that other thread said too.
stradic
Ive had two on custom rods for 10 yrs still going strong
$129.00
The Pfleuger President,it’s just a great all around reel. 
Kruger
Just a general observation but Shimano makes a good reel for the dollar. We have several of their models and they hold up well. I would think draw a line in the sand and pick the reel you can get for that amount. I know we have Sedonas on up and they all have been good reels. That being said my favorite reel is a Fin Nor but they are getting hard to find anymore.
I agree with Redneck. I have Sadonas, Saharas, and Symetres, and all of them are good reels for the money. I’ve had most of them for over 10 years with no problems with none of them. The best part is they won’t break the bank.
I also like the Shimanos. I have a few Sedonas and Saharas and they all work well after several years of use.
CR
I just bought 9 new Pfluger Supremes to replace all of my spinning reels and love them. They are very light weight and very smooth. They run around $100.
After running the Cardinal 800’s this year guiding I am a BIG fan.
Check out the Daiwa Tierra. Very smooth, lightweight, and they haven’t given me any problems.
Cabelas, has stradics on sale for $99.00
This is what I do to Quantums…
Actually my little nephew did that on a hook set, I did the exect same thing, on a hook set to another one a while back, first fish.
I think the higher-end quantums are probably nice, Van Dam says to go with the high bearing count (~10) to keep them stiff…but anyway,
My recommendation would be the Daiwa Capricorn, (or any other Daiwa Hard Bodyz reel), they were on sale the other day at Reeds for $85, a steal. Normally $119.99. Otherwise Cabelas privatge labels them for $99, called the Cabelas Prodigy.
Shimanos are great but I break them too. If you buy them make sure they are the new improved gearing that they just came out with: New Shimano Gearing
NSD
Probably because of the new gear technology coming up. That’s a great price for a Stradic.
What good reason is there for breaking your reel bases? With a proper drag setting and rod sweep, there shouldn’t be enough pressure on a base to break it. I mean, I know tourney guys can be excessively abusive to their equipment but for the average weekend warrior, this problem is very rare and not a selling point for brand recommendations.
I sell no less than 500 reels out of my department every year and if there’s any issues, believe me, I hear about them. Top of the heap in customer satisfaction/feedback is Shimano and Pflueger, with Pflueger actually getting the nod for #1. In 2 years I haven’t had anyone ask me where the “other brands” are either so I take that into my considerations.
Everybody knows what they like and why but with proper set up and care, Sedonas and Presidents are all the fancier one needs to go to have a great fishing experience. The money in a good rod is better spent anyway. Remember, with a good rod, you can handline land a fish if you need to!
I just picked up a couple of Stradic’s at cabelas for cheap and I love them 
Shimano is the best reel for the money in my book and the Symetre is BULETPROOF
Quote:
What good reason is there for breaking your reel bases?
None, poor design. My 16 year old nephew don’t quite have the Bassmaster hookeset and he still broke this one. This reel has the graphite body (even though it was a $70 reel). Regardless, I included here as kind of a joke…
All my other reels can take it and the bases don’t break, but the gears eventually get sticky except on my Daiwas. Spinning reels inheritantly have ppor gear designs. I have as Stradic that has only seen 8lb mono and walleyes and it got sticky within a year. Still works but you can tell something is wrong.
Whether this should or shouldn’t happen isn’t the point. I look at it from the point of which is better, relatively speaking. So far, for me, the only reel that holds up is the Daiwa.
Quote:
The money in a good rod is better spent anyway
No offense but I would absolutely disagree. You can get a great rod for not too much cash and it will last. A one piece rod usually has 1 moving part, the reel seat, not much chance for failure (
unless it’s a Berkely). If given the choice I would put the money in the reel, spinning reel or baitcasting.
There’s plenty of room for subjectivity here, I just wanted to put my vote in for Daiwa and put up a pic of a reel we broke this week.
Used to be a die-hard Shimano guy, but I bought a Diawa Excelor this year, and it by far the best 60 dollar spinning reel I have ever used. I love it. The Tierra seems great too for about 115.
Quote:
Used to be a die-hard Shimano guy
Me too, still am for baitcasters. Like I mentioned in a previous post, they have done a gearing redesign so maybe they’ll make a comeback for me…
Quote:
bought a Diawa Excelor this year, and it by far the best 60 dollar spinning reel I have ever used
That’s great to hear, I’ve been thinking about buying one of those for a while since it is a HardBodyz. Now I think I will.
My Stradics have been the picture of perfection. Also have an Okuma (can’t remember the model) that was in the $100 range from about 5 years ago that’s been absolutely fabulous. The only problem is the flashy paint job is flaking a bit, but the reel itself is still outstanding.
Quote:
Quote:
Used to be a die-hard Shimano guy
Me too, still am for baitcasters.
Same here. Though I may give Diawa a try in the future again.
the best contrary to other posts is a Quantum fast cast-around 25 bucks at wally world. The best advice with all spinning reels buy a new one every couple of years.
You should try the Cardinal series of reels. The 800 is the top of the line for about $120 each. They are some good reels. Also the 501alb for $59 is a great buy.
I like the cardinals, and the mitchell avocett’s.
Quote:
The Pfleuger President,it’s just a great all around reel.
I like my Pfleuger Presdient just fine also 
But I might have to pick up one of the new Pfleuger Supreme’s to give it a try. The wife needs a new reel 
Quote:
I have a hard time beating the Symetre when it comes to reliability and value.
I have that great reel too, and it is a great one for the money. Now I never use it because I tried a casting reel and I really like it.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
