Jump to content

Help Picking a new spinning reel

NAW

By NAW
in General Discussion

 Share

Recommended Posts

NAW All Knowing Angler

NAW

Posted
Posted

I have never really owned a high quality reel in my life.  The best one I own is a Shimano Symetre for my ice rod.

 

I have 2 of those Abu Specialist combos that go on sale a CT for 70% off a few times a year.   One is beat up pretty bad, specially since my 6 year olds have been learning to cast with it the last few years. 

 

All of the being said, I have a birthday in October, and have decided to ask the family for no presents, just cash this year.  A good chunk of that money is going to a new reel. 

 

I was looking in to used Stradics, because I have always liked them.  But I notice they have Quantum rod and reel combos for sale at CT right now. 

 

I really have no brand loyalty when it comes to fishing gear.    Does Quantum make decent high end reels?  

 

Does anyone have suggestions for be best quality reel I can get for $150?   

 

If anyone has one fore sale, feel free to PM me! 

 

Thanks in advance for the help.

porkpie All Knowing Angler

porkpie

Posted
Posted

I don’t vary much from shimano or Daiwa when it comes to reels.  I’ve owned most other brands over the years and been disappointed by a number of them.  I don’t buy quantum stuff. I had a couple of iron horse casting reels years ago and both failed on me.  Fixed at aikmans and sold them.  Your mileage may vary.  I’ve been pretty happy even with the cheap shimano siennas that I use ice fishing and on my kids rods.  They hold up pretty well for a $50 reel.  Have a couple cheaper Daiwa spinning reels and they seem to keep on ticking as well.  A Stradic is a pretty nice reel!

GBW Fishing God

GBW

Posted
Posted

I have to say that I don't deviate from Shimano reels and when I did it was Ardent (Blew the drag up on day 1 for $100 reel).  Yes I have a Phluger (willing to sell it) and have had Diawa and Quantum but me I will stick with Shimano.  Quality to me and warranty and local service to me is why.  Not a brand _hore...  

 

buick14 Guide

buick14

Posted
Posted

I StRONGLY agree with the above comments.  I would save a little more and get Shimano Stradic 

however, you can’t go wrong, especially for the price, with the Pfluegar president 

I don’t have much experience with the new lower /mid range Daiwa stuff, so no comment there.

I personally would not purchase quantum, low model Abu, okuma based off of prior incidences.

 

misfish Imperial Angler

misfish

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, buick14 said:

okuma

I have 2 Okuma spinner reels. I am very impressed with them. Both spinning reels and are 7 BB. I use them both for open water and ice fishing. Still going strong after 5 years. Open,clean and back it  they go.

  • Like 1
Mad_angler_67 Newbie

Mad_angler_67

Posted
Posted

I agree with misfish you can't go wrong with Pflueger they are a nice running reel I have several of the Presedent series and they have 10 ball bearings for a smooth retrieve.I've owned Zebco/Quantum and I will never own one again!!!!

Musky Plug Almost a Guide

Musky Plug

Posted
Posted

If your looking for a higher end reel I would go with the Shimano Stradik. I have an older model and its the best spinning reel I've owned. Also worth considering are the Shimano NASCI and the Daiwa Tatula. I have those as well. Both are at a lower price point but great reel. 

  • Like 1
buick14 Guide

buick14

Posted
Posted
19 hours ago, misfish said:

I have 2 Okuma spinner reels. I am very impressed with them. Both spinning reels and are 7 BB. I use them both for open water and ice fishing. Still going strong after 5 years. Open,clean and back it  they go.

To each there own.  I’m glad you have had good experiences.

Old Ironmaker Fishing God

Old Ironmaker

Posted
Posted (edited)

They are all good as long as it says "Shimano" on them. I have a Shimano 1200 that cost me less than 30 bucks USD, It's 35 years old. Looks beat up but works like new. That thing has been used ice fishing in northern Manitoba  and bushwhacked into Canadian and US jungles that looks like The  Mekong Delta.  

Edited by Old Ironmaker
  • Like 2
sauce Almost a Guide

sauce

Posted
Posted

Don't get caught up with number of bearings. Rigidity in the gears is what matters. Which is why a stradic is such a good choice. I'm sure other manufacturers have reels that are as good or better. But adding extra bearings can't make up for flex and play in the inner workings. (Don't trust quantum or okuma spinning reels) If I ever stray from my loyalty to stradics, it will be to upgrade to a sustain or maybe try one of abu or daiwa's higher end reels.

AKRISONER Fishing God

AKRISONER

Posted
Posted (edited)

long thread here with lots of info, but I will just give you my 2 cents from my personal experience and that of my buddies that I fish with.

My buddies have a penchant for messing around and trying to find cheaper deals. theyve used everything from Lews, Diawa, Abu Garcia, Pfleuger, Quantum and shimano.

My one buddy recently bought the Quantum smoke on a recommendation from my other friend who says its great...they are piece of garbage. Dont bother. Dave said he really likes his, so jake bought one because they were on sale (like you are seeing) sure enough after 2 months the things drag is totally failing. Dave claims that his is great, but now his is broken too. 

The lews...dont waste your time they failed as well. (im a fan of their baitcasters though)

Daves a huge fan of the new Diawa spinning reels, but they just came out on the market so theres no telling about their longevity.

The guys have always been a fan of the pfleuger reels. They seem to be a decent low price option. Not sure Id drop a lot of money on one though? They seem to hold up over time though.

Ive owned, and still own a couple of Abu Reels. They seem to hold up, the revo SX I had back in the day is still kicking. I sold it to a buddy of mine, its held up for 10 years!

Then you come to shimano, and specifically the stradic. I have slowly been acquiring stradics to fill out my arsenal over the years, Ive got a 3000fi, a 3000fj and 3 Ci4+s

The worst thing that has happened is that the 3000fi which is an absolute work horse for me, its bail spring evenually failed. I also then noticed recently it was grinding a bit on retrieve so i cleaned it out and greased it. Other than that, not a single one has failed on me, the drags on all of them is absolutely bulletproof, and furthermore the stradics drag system in general is one of the smoothest most consistent and adjustable drag systems I have ever used.

So my reco? Go with a stradic and never look back. Clean em out every so often and youll have an incredible reel that will last you for the next 20+ years. This is coming from a guy who is on the water fishing his reels over 300 hours a year.

Edited by AKRISONER
NAW All Knowing Angler

NAW

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I have been away from the computer most of the weekend, and just logged back on this morning! 

Thanks for all of the info everyone!! 

I am kicking myself now, because I was in a fishing store on Sunday, and they had last years model Stradic on sale for $220.  I should have just bit the bullet and bought it!!    They also had a nice combo with a fenwick HMG and a President for a decent price. 

 

I'll be keeping my eyes open for the rest of the season for sure. 

 

Thanks again everyone!! 

 

 

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recent Topics

    Popular Topics

    Upcoming Events

    No upcoming events found

×
×
  • Create New...