Spinning Reel Recommendations ~ $100 Cdn

[Dimsumi]

Hi all,

 

Long time lurker, first time poster.

 

Looking to improve my gear for next year and I am hoping to purchase a spinning reel for around $100 (pre-tax)...

 

I mainly shore fish, targeting LMB - although I did hook into and land a muskie a few weeks back (on a wacky rigged senko of all things). If it helps, I tend to fish a mixture of soft plastics, top water frogs, and crankbaits. All baits/lures typically range between 0.25 to 0.75 oz. I expect that I will mainly be using braided line on this reel.

 

My research to date has been focused around these three:

- Pflueger President Special Edition (2016) 30X - $99.99

- Pflueger Supreme 30X - $109.99

- Shimano Symetre 2500FL - $119.99

 

I believe each as a gear ratio of 6.2:1 and the weights are slightly different (7.7, 7.5 and 9 oz respectively)... Beyond that I'm not certain how to compare/evaluate the features of the different models.

 

Hoping that some of you can provide some additional insights or your own personal preferences.

 

Thanks in advance.

[captpierre]

Symmetre gets my vote.

Wait for a sale.

Tough to beat the better Shimano reels

[Gnote]

I love pflueger, cant beat one for the price.

Never had one fail on me and have brought some brute fish to the boat including giant pike and a 46" muskie.

[206]

bought my wife a Shimano Symetre FL......I think it works smoother then most of my own reels.

[wormdunker]

Welcome to our community. I'm not familiar with the Pflueger nor the Symetre.n My personal preference is the Shimano Stradic 2500 series although a bit more than your budget.

[sauce]

I have had good experiences with all shimano reels I've used. My feelings towards braid on a spinning reel is go higher end. They take the abuse braid dishes out. If I were spooling up mono or flouro a symmetre or saros would be my choice

[porkpie]

I did have a shimano symetre fail on me right out of the box, but I still believe them to be a good reel. I think it was an anomaly, because I have lots of shimano reels and have kicked the crap out of them with no failures and only maintenance or replacement of maintenance parts. Given your list, I would still pick the symetre.

[Sinker]

Another vote for symetre....or any other shimano. I've had issues with pfleugers. I really liked them, but they just don't hold up like my shimanos.

 

S.

[captpierre]

My only issue with both my Symmetres is the bale will flip prematurely when I cast a ripping jig vigorously.

Other than that, they are as smooth as my wife's inner thigh. ?

[huzzsaba]

Shimano for sure.

[creditmaster]

In alll my time fishing a Shimano has never let me down

[crappieperchhunter]

If you can find Lew's spinning reels give them a go. I have 2 now and love them both and they are inexpensive. However the only place I have seen them is Canadian Tire in Lindsay. My first one was purchased because I was up in Bobcaygeon for the week and forgot my reel at home. So I did a quick trip into Lindsay to grab something to get me through the week. $29.99 and it is a great reel for crappie/perch fishing. I use it every weekend all summer. There $59 and $89 reels would cover a lot more fishing applications and still be at your price point.

[manitoubass2]

Id get two okuma avengers cause you know darn well youll be using more then one rod???

[GBW]

In alll my time fishing a Shimano has never let me down

Same here, all the reels I had from other companies are now gone

 

If you can find Lew's spinning reels give them a go. I have 2 now and love them both and they are inexpensive. However the only place I have seen them is Canadian Tire in Lindsay. My first one was purchased because I was up in Bobcaygeon for the week and forgot my reel at home. So I did a quick trip into Lindsay to grab something to get me through the week. $29.99 and it is a great reel for crappie/perch fishing. I use it every weekend all summer. There $59 and $89 reels would cover a lot more fishing applications and still be at your price point.

I have tried the Lews and I'd buy a speed spool for 79 or 89 that the CT in Lindsay sells. There is another fishing store in town that sells Lews too.

[GBW]

The shimano sahara is a great reel sub $100 pre tax too

[adam lancia]

I have a Sahara and a few Symetres, the only difference I've noticed is that the Symetres feel just a touch smoother when retrieving heavier lures and lures with more water resistance. Other than that. I find them to be pretty similar.

[Tomcat]

I'm wondering why you appear to have a preference for big reels for fishing LMB. I would think that a Shimano Symetre 1000 (2 ounces lighter than a 2500) with a max drag of 7 pounds and line capacity of 110 yards with 6 pound mono or 95 yards with 10 pound Power Pro would satisfy your needs. I have experienced no difficulties landing walleye as big as 8 pounds with my Shimano Stradic 1000s. Lastly, while it may just be my own preference, I always take the rod with me that I'm buying a reel for - trying for a balanced feeling. I've never owned a Pflueger reel so I can't compare with the Shimano Symetre (I own one as well as 5 other Shimano spinning reels).

Edited November 8, 2015 by Tomcat

[Dutch01]

I just picked Daiwa Revros for $50 at Le Baron. It feels like a reel that cost twice as much. I haven't used my Abu's that DID cost twice as much since I got it. It's below your budget but worth a look.

[Fisherpete]

I'm wondering why you appear to have a preference for big reels for fishing LMB. I would think that a Shimano Symetre 1000 (2 ounces lighter than a 2500) with a max drag of 7 pounds and line capacity of 110 yards with 6 pound mono or 95 yards with 10 pound Power Pro would satisfy your needs. I have experienced no difficulties landing walleye as big as 8 pounds with my Shimano Stradic 1000s. Lastly, while it may just be my own preference, I always take the rod with me that I'm buying a reel for - trying for a balanced feeling. I've never owned a Pflueger reel so I can't compare with the Shimano Symetre (I own one as well as 5 other Shimano spinning reels).

He mentioned that he mainly shore fishes - the bigger reel would give him far better casting distance than a 1000 size reel.

 

Pete

[Acountdeleted]

I've never had a problem with Pfluger products. The president is such a good reel. You can't go wrong with the Shimano line either. Both are good selections

[Sinker]

I've never had a problem with Pfluger products. The president is such a good reel. You can't go wrong with the Shimano line either. Both are good selections

I have two that didnt make it thru a season. One the bail blew apart, the other the bearings went in. I liked them while they worked, but have a bit of a bad taste in my mouth now.

 

S.

[Gnote]

I feel your pain, i have owned many shimanos and all have failed over time and after much use.

Like i mentioned ive never had a pflueger fail yet.

Hopefully the price will stay low if people keep buying shimano lol.

Just like buying a car theres a lemon in every bunch, ford chev dodge toyota whatever.

I dont think you can go wrong with either reel personally

[Dimsumi]

Thanks everyone for your replies to date.

 

Fantastic community here!!!

[AKRISONER]

pops has a symmetre, thing is as smooth as butter. Big fan for sure.

[colin519]

got a Pfleuger President 6930 and Stradic FJ 1000. Pfleuger is paired with a 6'6" medium Abu specialist from an old combo where the original reel was stolen from a bag. I landed a 10 lb walleye on it this summer on 6 lb test. certainly a capable reel for 50 bucks.

 

the Stradic is clearly a level above, and it was a price above. It's running on a St Croix Avid spinning UL. It's a thing of beauty. It's the most fun you can have landing bass in the 2.5lb-5lb range.

 

If you can afford the Shimano get it. I'd also recommend Pfleuger as a great backup reel or heavier reel that you wanna beat up a bit. I'd have no trouble spending the money on either, but you get what you pay for. kinda of nice