Shimano 500 Size GONE???

Does anyone know if Shimano stopped making 500 sized reels. This winter, I tried getting my hands on some more Sienna’s and I couldn’t find them anywhere. When I go onto the Shimano site, they don’t even make that reel anymore. None of the reels listed on their site come in a size 500 anymore. This is honestly shocking to me, as most of the people I know including members here like the Shimano reels for ice fishing, but maybe were too small of a market for them.

I’ve posted about other reels in comparison to the Sienna, and it seems that no drags compare. What do you guys recommend for ice fishing reels (spinning not inline)? I heard the Abu Ice and Jason Mitchell drags were pretty crappy, anyone try the Frabill Bros Ice reel?

Check out in store. I know for sure Scheels in Fargo had some and I know I’ve seen some at Fleet Farm and Gander Mt also. Hard to find any Shimano Sedona 500 and 1000 FD models. Thorne brothers currently have the 500 Siennas available online.

There are some new 500 size Shimano Sierras available on eBay. Another comparable size good quality reel is the Pflueger President model 6920.

Tonka wrote:

I’ve posted about other reels in comparison to the Sienna, and it seems that no drags compare.

The drag on the Okuma Ceymar size 10 is every bit as good, if not better, than the Sienna and is the perfect size for a panfish rod. John at Tuned Up Customs, the reel repair guy I trust, has inspected the internals of the Ceymar 10’s and tells me they’re very well built. I’ve used them all season and have been very happy with them as a replacement for the 500’s that Shimano discontinued. $42 on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Okuma-Ceymar-Lightweight-Spinning-Reel/dp/B01BXZX5Q6

Thx all, bneal, just not a fan of the President, I know guys love them, but my buddy had one, and the thing was terrible for me (as in the drag and bail wasn’t working well). I actually tried the Pflueger ice reel this year, and again, wasn’t impressed with the drag, especially for being a brand new reel. I would like to find one of these ice reels that have a wide spool for line twist and collapsible push button handle. The ice reel concepts are great in that they have these features, along with maybe a longer reel stem for gloves, but I can’t figure out why they always put a junk drag in them.

James, I may have to try one of those Okumas. I almost bought one last summer for the boat, different model just because they are so light (which is what I like).

Thanks for the replies so far. Would love to hear of someone who tried the Frabill Bros spinning reel.

I’ve been using the Ceymars this season as well and love’m !!

I’m going to hook one up to a Quick Tip and an ifp and leave the bail open…

Hopefully Okuma comes out with a mini bait runner reel for panfish…

But untill then the Ceymars are on my TUCR! !

The Tica Cetus line is the best I have found and the price is great. Currently $34 on Amazon.

TICA GV500 Cetus Trout Fishing Series https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000ATIMK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_VlmOybZNNTVY0

Was at Cabelas PDC last Thurs. PM. They had a couple dozen Sienna 500s on the rack, on sale for 22.95.

Another you may want to try is KastKing by Abu Garcia. I’ve been running these a couple years now vs my Okuma and like them better. They do have non bait fed models that are smaller and prices are great.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0191479JU/ref=twister_dp_update?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

munchy wrote:

The Tica Cetus line is the best I have found and the price is great. Currently $34 on Amazon.

x2

I really like the Cetus reels for ice fishing.

Shimano reels are great. But I like the stronger bails on Cetus

My Jason Mitchel drag works perfectly.

Tonka wrote:

Thx all, bneal, just not a fan of the President, I know guys love them, but my buddy had one, and the thing was terrible for me (as in the drag and bail wasn’t working well). I actually tried the Pflueger ice reel this year, and again, wasn’t impressed with the drag, especially for being a brand new reel. I would like to find one of these ice reels that have a wide spool for line twist and collapsible push button handle. The ice reel concepts are great in that they have these features, along with maybe a longer reel stem for gloves, but I can’t figure out why they always put a junk drag in them.

James, I may have to try one of those Okumas. I almost bought one last summer for the boat, different model just because they are so light (which is what I like).

Thanks for the replies so far. Would love to hear of someone who tried the Frabill Bros spinning reel.

The Frabill reels from a few years back were junk.Not sure about the current models.
The Shimano 500 series are done from what i have heard.I sure hope not.The Okumas sound good,may have to try a few.

Thanks everyone, I’ll have to look into those Ticas, honestly haven’t heard of them.

Stevenhand, I did another post and was told otherwise by a few guys, I may have to give one a shot.

I picked up a few Sienna 500s on eBay this winter. I’ll keep them as spares to be used if my current Siennas, Sedona, or Saharas wear out.

I’m really surprised Shimano discontinued the Sienna 500. They seem to sell like crazy. I’d be surprised if there was another ice reel that sells better.

I’ve got four of the Frabill Bro series spinning reels. I have not put them through the paces for very long, but after three very cold trips, I have to say I’m very happy and going to order a couple more. Here are the highlights:

* All three of the trips found us fishing below zero all day. Although we did fish out of our portables, we had to transport in our Otters behind our snowmobiles for long trips. Even when we pulled them out of the cases and they were still cold, the drags were very smooth. Plus One: smooth drag in severe cold.

* The reel handle has a button on it that activates the fold feature. It’s the easiest reel I’ve seen to fold the handle. Plus Two: easy folding feature makes the reel quick and easy to get into rod bags.

* The reels are only available as small reels. I will use them as dedicated ice fishing reels. Plus Three: I finally have enough reels to use some a just ice fishing reels and the rest for summer (this may or may not be a plus for some…but for me – yes!).

Tica Cetus or President Micro. I mainly use the SB500, but I have one LE500 and I can promise you it works slicker than my President micros in cold weather…

I ordered a Sienna 500 from Dick’s Sporting Goods a few weeks ago…paid something like $30

I had 6 of the tica cetus years back and I thought the drags were less reliable than other options. I couldn’t get the drags to stop loping.

I’d honestly check the pfluegers out their size 20 is equivalent to the 500’s they have by far the smoothest buttery drag when it comes spinning reels and some quality reels for the price I bought a sienna it’s nice reel for the price but its just a backup reel for my pfluegers if one ever bites the dust which I have a strong feeling they won’t

Put another vote in for Tica Cetus.

I believe the Sienna and a few other models are getting a new redesign which is why the older models are being sold at clearance deals… I seen the new ones at Cabelas. Not sure if they will live up to the old ones but only time will tell.

eliteforce26 wrote:

I believe the Sienna and a few other models are getting a new redesign which is why the older models are being sold at clearance deals… I seen the new ones at Cabelas. Not sure if they will live up to the old ones but only time will tell.

The Sienna series was redesigned and seems like a quality product. I own a new 1000, and I’m happy with it.

However, the 500 size is no longer part of the line up. The new Sienna come only in 1000, 2500, and 4000 sizes.

I ordered a Frabill, it has two spools, which is another plus to add. I might have to try those Ticas next year. Pflueger hasn’t impressed me with the low end models. Just my opinion.

Penn Fierce 1000 size are comparable to the old 750 size Shimano reels. They have great drags they are smooth and consistent and adjust well. Theu are 2x the price of a Sienna though. You can also still buy the 500 Sienna’s for about $30 on eBay.

google them I found them all over for $29.99

I think the Sienna is being phased out, at least for now. Shimano seems to change their lineup and sizes from time to time so maybe they’ll come out with something comparable at some point.

I do have some Tica Cetus reels also. I get the cheaper ones usually, and they work very well also. I like the 500 Sienna, but for me the Tica Cetus is about the same price and equal quality so I’m not heartbroken yet. A nice thing was the Sienna was more available in local stores than the Ticas.

Tucker

I picked up two Sienna 500’s yesterday for 22.99 apiece.

I bought two Piscifun ICX 5 reels this winter. I think they are new to Piscifun this year. 5+1 bearings, fold in handle, carbon fiber drag washers (comes with extra washers) and a over size spool. They have performed very well for me all winter. One is on my TUCR Fusion and one on my Precision.
For the price point of just under $30 it’s a great reel with lots of features.
Piscifun has a discount going on right now as well.

Piscifun® ICX 5 Ice Fishing Reel Quick Folding Handle

Looks like FishUSA has Sienna 500s and the Nasci as well.

https://www.fishusa.com/Shimano-NASCI-Spinning-Reels