Dimsumi Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captpierre Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 Symmetre gets my vote. Wait for a sale. Tough to beat the better Shimano reels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallie Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
206 Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 bought my wife a Shimano Symetre FL......I think it works smoother then most of my own reels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wormdunker Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sauce Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porkpie Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captpierre Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 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. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huzzsaba Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 Shimano for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creditmaster Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 In alll my time fishing a Shimano has never let me down Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crappieperchhunter Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manitoubass2 Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 Id get two okuma avengers cause you know darn well youll be using more then one rod??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBW Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 In alll my time fishing a Shimano has never let me downSame 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBW Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 The shimano sahara is a great reel sub $100 pre tax too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam lancia Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomcat Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 (edited) 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch01 Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherpete Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acountdeleted Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallie Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dimsumi Posted November 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 Thanks everyone for your replies to date. Fantastic community here!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKRISONER Posted November 9, 2015 Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 pops has a symmetre, thing is as smooth as butter. Big fan for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin519 Posted November 9, 2015 Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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