I “froze” up my spinning reel. It was a mid-price Pflueger that I wasn’t very impressed with anyway. So I’m in the market for a new reel but with all the advances in technology blah, blah I don’t know what to get. I need a reel designed for 8# test 4.9-5.2-1 ratio. There are so many options that I’ve found myself stumped. I was hoping for some input from the 'fellas to point me in the right direction. I don’t want to spend more than $100. As picky as I sound I should know what I want right? After looking on E-Bay I’m worse off than when I started looking. Life is full of decisions…
Hello fsh4fun05 I would suggest shimano they are sweet reels and take alot of abuse. I use a shimano stradic i got it for $120 and it is worth every penny . If you dont want to pay that much you can get a shimano symetre for around $80 also have one and like it alot.
I would suggest either one of these both are smooth and have good drag systems and for the money they are hard to beat.
Just my two cents
Does the stradic have a front drag?
Yes it does have a front drag .And i think you can get a front or rear drag on the symetre
Shimano all the way for me. I decided to give Daiwa a try, got burned. Decided it must be a fluke when the guy at sportsmans convinced me to try daiwa again; got burned again.
I have learned my lesson. I use my shimano spin reels for about every type of fishing.
I agree with the other guys. I have tried other brands over the years, but I always go back to Shimano. The stradic is a great reel. The symetre is also very nice and you can get them for about $80. You won’t be sorry. Like you, I tried a Pflueger combo. I still use the rod, but the reel was in the trash in a month or so.
Amen BLM!
I prefer the Energy but it’s $50 more… but worth it! Hard to beat the Quantum PTi series in both baitcasters and spinning reels.
Personally, I like the Mitchell Avocet. Just a mere $20 at walmart. I haven’t been able to break mine I’ve had for 2 1/2 years yet, drenching it in salt water and all. Pretty nice, for a cheap price.
If you want a great reel for your money, try a Shimano Sahara.
( UNDER $40 )
I have 6 of them, and love’m
Any Quantum over $50…
**Ebay. You can find a good new Shimano or Quantum on Ebay for under $100. I mean Stradic or Symtere(got them both) or Quantum Kinetic, Catlytis, and Energy. There are some power sellers that knockoff 20/30 bucks. I would go with a size 2500 or 20 depending on the brand-Stradic or Energy. I have one of all of these except the Energy, they are all good.
**
McLennon, I also use that one and I have found that for the $$ you won’t find anything better. Mine has been through a lot and it’s still working like a charm.
I love fishing but I’m not gonna drop over $100 for a reel unless I’m competing in national tournaments!
BLM, what Energy spinning reel do you have? I think I’m going to get the E30PT. I found a good price for one on Ebay.
Well i have a old rear drag Shimano Symetre that Is still going stong, (rear drag) and a Shimano Sodona that is about 2 years old that is just awsome as well. I am sold on the Shimano spinning reels. My only gripe is with the rear drag and it allows we to back spin half a turn of the bell. Freat when on small streams and rivers, lowsey when jigging and not putting pressure on the handle. I am a lover of the front drag since i started jigging and will not go back.
So i guess in short my vote is for Shimano.
Hey Majja,
I am not sure I understand your statement about the rear drag system on the Shimanos. I own those reels and there is absolutely NO back spin on the hook set because of Shimano’s Super Stopper II (instant anti reverse) feature that is turned on via a switch on the bottom of the reel (look at the bottom of your Sedona for a switch).
If I might venture a guess, do you also have the Quick Fire II trigger device that automatically flips the bail ? That is what does the thing you described - that makes the reel have a quarter/half turn before stopping. The rear drag has nothing to do with that. I have quite a few rear drag reels (from several manufactures) and none of them do what you are refering to.
Or, maybe I just read your post incorrectly and you were meaning something entirely different.
I don’t own one, silly fish4fun05, but I have used them and I have several friends that are estatic over these reels. Remember, I’m a baitcaster kind of guy? I will be picking up two of the E10PT for ice fishing though. I like using a slip bobber set up on a spinning rod. A whole lot easier than having the dang knot catching on the levelwind guide on my baitcasters.
You’ll love it. Quantums are built tough with a minimum of plastic or nylon parts. They’re also smooth as silk.