Shimano Reels

[FXDV Guy]

Hi Folks,
I am looking for your help. I am in need of two new reels. I have always bought Shimano in the past & have experienced great customer service.
My question is for those of you who use Shimano, what size do you purchase : 1000 / 2000 / or larger size spool. I will use these mostly for lindy rigging. To me the spool size 1000 seems more than adequate. Any other differences other than line capacity between 1000 / 2000 series. I am looking at the Sedona model.
Any advise appreciated.

[Bad Finger]

I use the 1000 for jigging/rigging. The Sedona is a sweet little reel. I have 4 of them and never had a problem with any. Best reel out there at any price.

[Amdahl]

Picked up a 2000 Sahara last year. Love it! 1000 probably adequate. Tough to go wrong with Shimano in my experience.

Amdahl

[waterfowler]

FX,

My opinion, if you use 8lb test, go with the 2000. If you use 6lb and under the 1000 is fine. Not an exact science, but seems to work for me. The rod you are using can dictate what reel also. These two reels only have grams of weight difference, but they can feel different depending on the rod you pair them up with. Hope this helps!!

[Dave in Mpls]

Hard to go wrong with Shimano. I have a few of the 1000 series I use on my 6' jigging rods, as I feel they balance them out the best. I use the 2000s for rigging, for a couple reasons - they balance better on the longer rods I use for rigging, and I also feel the line flows off the spools a little better, due to the larger spool diameter.

Regards

[carrocr]

I'll second this post,
I have 4 symetre's. 1 1000 with 6lb fireline on a med-light pole, and 3 2000's with 8lb fireline on med and med-heavy poles. Durable, smooth reals.

[Peanut]

Another vote for Shimano. I use the Spirex 500's on my ultralite rods, and Spirex 2000's for my jigging/rigging applications.

Love the spirex - can't say much about the 1000 series - never used one.

derrek.

CANADIAN WALLEYE OPEN UP AND SAY "EH"!

[DarrenB]

I also have a couple of the Shimano 2000 reels and prefer them over other brands. However a problem occurs after a seasons worth of use on each one, and am curious as to see if any of you have had this happen on your reels.

Basically since the bail arm is made of a plastic or graphite material, after a while a groove starts to develop at the top of the arm near the eye from the line rubbing against it. Eventually after much use of the reel and many cast and retrieves, the groove gets cut deep enough into the bail arm where the line will actually get snagged in it. This problem really weakens the line, and has resulted in many botched casts. I've tried a few diferent things like playing with the drag, turned on and off the autoreverse etc.. but nothing has worked so far. I haven't figured out yet if its a flaw in the design of the reel or if I'm the one doing something wrong.

[Dave in Mpls]

Darren-

What model reel are you using?

[DarrenB]

The reels that the bail-arm deteriorated the quickest on were both the Spirex 2000 reels. The same thing also happened on my Sedona reel, although not as quickly. I got about a 1/2 year of fishing on that reel before the problem started to show up.

The Quantum Energy reels are good tuff sturdy reels that can withstand a lot and have a metal bail arm. However they are heavier and a lot more awkward than the Shimanos. You can forget about trying to jig with them.

[Sunshine]

I go w/ the 2000's and use symetre. Another consideration besides line capacity is the balance of the rod and reel together. I wouldn't buy either without first trying the two together. just my 2 cents

[Dave in Mpls]

Hmmm....that's odd

I've never had that problem, at least that I'm aware of. However, I use the reels primarely for rigging, and not so much for casting. Is the line actually riding in the area where the grove occurs instead of over the roller? Perhaps someone else has experienced this....

[Box]

Ditto. We use several spirex's and haven't noticed any problem with line cutting them. Have been using fireline on them for several seasons (a couple of them for many seasons), moderate ot heavy use on each. More rigging than casting, though.

As for the size, I find the 1000 more than adequate for most things, althought me have both 1000 and 2000 sizes. One thing to think about is that if you get only one size you have a better selection of spools to choose from for changing. We are going to only get 1000's for now on. It sure is nice to be able to swap about 8 different spools really fast :) That is for any reel - try to keep what you are using the same size and model and it helps on the water.

-Box

[Peanut]

Sorry guys, I can't help you. My oldest Spirex 2000 is now 4 full seasons old, seeing nothing but 10-4 Fireline for the last 3. I've not noticed any type of wear as mentioned.

That being said, one guy's season of fishing is another guy's average week. So, to put it into perspective, I average about 25 days on the water per season. The reel in question would be used basically every time out.

derrek.

CANADIAN WALLEYE OPEN UP AND SAY "EH"!

[Cangl]

FXDV, the spool will be larger and the circle rotation of the handle will be also, a little more open you might say. As for line wear on the urethane body of the bail appartus, try opening and closing the bail by hand, quiets down your cast's, makes bail springs go a long ways, my first Shimano reel is 12 years old and is still number one though his twin brother is younger. Original everything. Closing the bail by hand is pure stealth, a little finger on the line to settle those loops walla. Now other brand reels I have owned bail springs have gone out but once you get used to this you can fish with out a bail spring easily ;)

[Marble Eyes]

I purchased two Stradic reels last fall, and I instantly took to them. Real Smooth, with the antibacking feature it is ideal for jigging.

The extra spool with each reel make it nice to have them rigged for different fishing.

I have the 2000 size, one reel is rigged with 8 lb. Mono. for Steelhead, and the other reel is rigged with 10/4 Fireline for Jigging Walleye.

[TBO/MN]

I agree with you Dave, I think the 2000 are a much better balance with the 7 ft plus rods. I use the 2000 Symetres on 7 to 8 foot rigging rods, and have 1000 Stradics on the 6 footers. I also use the Corsairs on the longer baitcaster rods, 7 8 footers, but use the Crestfires on the shorter 5 to 7 footers. All in All, you can't go wrong with a Shimano.......:D

Good Fishin'
TBO/MN

P.S. Hope to see this coming weekend for the WC Mille Lacs get-together..Scott is sending a prize for the big fish award....memories of last year must be dancing in your head...hahahaha

[Dave in Mpls]

Yeah, last year was a cake walk!!

Gary and I will be up Sat morning about 6:30 or so. Sounds like we'll be able to wear shorts out there!

See ya Saturday

[DarrenB]

Just thought I'd chime in on this topic one last time Dave and Peanut.
Strange how this problem hasn't happened to anyone else. I know of one other person with the same reel that this has NOT happened to.
Maybe I'm doing something wrong, I dont know.

The only difference I can think of is that I am using monofiliment while you guys work with Fireline. Also I usually get out 2-3 times a week weather permitting. I do a lot of pitching/retrieving jigs and casting and retrieving crankbaits, not so much stillfishing or jigging. Maybe the constant friction is wearing it down quicker than it would during normal use?

[Peanut]

I don't think line would make that big a difference, and your use pattern should not be considered abnormal.

Is this problem relating to reels made in a certain year? Or, before or after a certain year? Maybe there was a change in the design somewhere, and I have an older version?

In any event, and IMHO, Shimano quality is too high for this to take place without being corrected. I would talk with Shimano and see what they are prepared to do about your situation. I am curious to know, as I will be buying another rod and reel before spring, and how Shimano handles customer problems like this will affect my choice. If you have already, or do decide to pursue this option, please let us know what happens.

derrek.

CANADIAN WALLEYE OPEN UP AND SAY "EH"!

[Dave in Mpls]

Actually, I currently use mono for all my walleye fishing applications. The only thing I can suggest is to send the reel(s) to Shimano and see if they can identify the problem.

Best of luck to ya

Regards