Shimano Spirex spinning reels....

[GOS]

Thinking of buying one of these. I like the Quickfire II bail trip feature. Anyone got an opinion, likes, dislikes, etc. Thanks!

[TP180]

I love the Spirex. I started with cheap equipment, and am upgrading as I go. I'm sure there are better (more expensive) reels out there, but our local Fleet Farm typically has them on sale for $49 once a year and I don't think you can find a better reel for the price. I don't use the quick trigger however.

[AquaMan]

Ditto on the Spirex. For the money, it's hard to find a better reel. I like the 1000 for the walleyes, northers, etc and the 500 for crappies, perch and sunnies. I, personally, love the QuickFireII. The rear drag is also my preferance. Get one or two, you'll love em!

Bring on the open water!

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just turning cash into water!

[Pitts]

I don't think the Spirex has went to the quick stop II anti reverse yet but if it has, that would make it a lot better reel.
I have only 1 2000 and I like the fighting drag and the double paddle handle I just wish it had instant anti reverse.
My .02


Pitts

[Youngeye]

Spirex is a great reel for casting crankbaits, etc. for walleyes but is not all that great for jigging or rigging since it does not have the instant anti reverse feature. This is the only spinning reel that I use to cast with. It is an awesome caster

Youngeye@netins.net

[WAeyes]

The casting is great with the Quickfire feature. Setting the hook is not so great because there is no anti-reverse.

[bobk]

I think they are very good reels. I like the THUNK they make when you set the hook on an Eye. 9 years old and still working great,I have 3 of them. Bob

[Neal/CO]

They are good reels for the money. I have two of them. I fished for 20 years without instant anti reverse, so for me that is a non issue.

[ross]

I have 2 shimano reels with the fast cast feature. I really wish I would have paid another 50 bucks and bought a better reel. The fast cast is nice but I have had problems with it. The line tends to tangle aroud it. And when you have a fish on it is painful. Also The line sometimes gets caught under the spool. You have to remove the spool and untwist the line to undo it. It is a miracle how it happens but it does and your line becomes permanantely screwed!! It probably happens 4-5 times a year. Anyone else have that hapen? Save yourself some frustration and spend a little more cash and get a better reel. I'm going to this year and the one I get won't have the fast cast feature.

[EsoxProSport]

I own 5 Spirex Reels over the last 9 or so years and like them a lot. I have had a few problems, and Shimano always proved there great customer service to me. The last few years are what shimano calls "fluiddrive" My older reels were sent in and replaced with new models.
If you look at Quick Fire II it always returns to the top for casting with the trigger. It would probably not be possible to have instant anti reverse and quick fire II/Quick Cast. If you want that you have to strp up to the next model, SAHARA. Spirex is one of only a few reels available with quick cast. I find it very useful as sometimes I need to make a one handed cast while controlling the boat or something.
For those of you that may have older and newer spirex reels, I notice the Spools are taller on new models. SHimano told me not to swap the spools.
Only complaint I might have is rear drag models do not have a wide range of drag adjustment, and are a little heavy.

[paulisan1]

Shimano makes a good reel but I cant stand quickcast last one I had I removed the quickcast part and now I use the reel more often.

[Fin Addict]

The Spirex is an ok entry level reel at best. The quickfire trigger gets in the way but if you remove it, it throws the whole reel out of balance. There is no instant anti-reverse which makes it a poor jigging reel. The rear drag is inadequate, one big carp w/ several runs burned mine up. Spend the extra $30 and get a front drag Symetre. You would be happier still w/ a Stradic but they are quite a few more $.

[Larry L]

I really like the Quickfire II feature. I have went almost completely to reels with this and a rear drag. I have about ten of them set up for different uses. I use the 2000 and the 4000. The only spinning reel that I use regularly that doesn't have these features is a Shimano baitrunner. The only one that has ever quit on me is one that I ran over. I don't even buy the 40-50 dollar ones. I buy the Ax and Fx model as a rule. I am retired and try to fish 150-200 days a year. Before I went to the Shimanos I would wear out whichever reel I was using inside of a summer. I will readly admit that I don't buy high dollar reels. I haven't found the need to anymore. I use them for panfish, bass, walleyes, northerns and (forgive me) trout or anything else I happen to be fishing for. The only other reels that get much use are a pair of Ambassadeur 5000's.

[Hutch]

I have more than 20 quickfire reels. Solstace, Sidestab and Spirex models. I myself wouldn't own anything else. It is correct that this series doesn't have the anti-reverse. I don't think it is possible to incorporate it with the way these reels are set up. That is the bail stopping where the trigger is aligned with you finger used for opening it for a cast. I also have several Sahara's too. As a fulltime guide I give my clients the option of using either style reels. It's about 50 - 50 as far as their preference. If you go with the Spirex you need to teach yourself to either end up with the rotor-bail in quickfire position where it is anti-reveresed locked in. Or as I do don't use it at all and free spool all the time. MY REELS are set this way and the drag is as tight as can be. I don't loose anymore fish than anyone else. It takes some learning, no doubt about it, but when I set the hook, I CAN REALLY CROSS THERE EYES. For me personally, I just can't see owning a spinning reel that takes two hands to operate when there's one out there that only takes one. GOS, remember this is only my opinion!!! Good luck which ever way you decide to go. Hutch By the way, just in case. NO Shimano IS NOT A SPONSOR OF MINE. I sure wish there were though, save me a lot of money!! ;)

[Peanut]

Have 2 Spirex's - one rear, one front drag. I like the QuickFire for casting. First one is now 4 years old, still rock solid.

Just went to a Stradic for jigging. Wow. Very fluid. Spin it and the reel feels like it would keep turning forever. But, there is the instant anti-reverse vs. QuickFire issue. If you have one, you can't have the other (as the QuickFire bails need to turn back to the top to work). I must say now that for jigging, the anti-reverse feature wins out.

If it's a Shimano, you'll do fine - just look at a few, and from the ones you can afford, pick the one you like best. They are quality spinning reels.

derrek.

CANADIAN WALLEYE OPEN UP AND SAY "EH"!

"On Sundays some men go to church and daydream about fishing. Others go fishing and think about God."

[RANGER]

My personal opinion is: out of all the reels I have owned or used the Shimano line is at the top of the list - no bout a doubt it! They perform under any and all conditions and are TRUSTED - need I say more?

It has to be fishing style, but, I really dislike the instant anti-reverse features on reels. I didn't realize how much I back reel during a day of fishing until I purchased a Quantum Hypercast a number of years ago. That reel is only used when I have to, now, and only for deadsticking or trolling. The anti-reverse drove me nuts!

[The Great Guide]

The Spirex is a great reel. I have three 1000's and use them on my jigging rods. Shimano products are almost bullitproof in operation and reliability. Drag is more than adequate - smooth and instant. I believe that the rod has more to do with touch than the reel, so I put my money in the rod.

TGG

[FishGuy]

I've had 3 of these reels, using them for past 3 years and have yet to encounter the problems you describe. Maybe the fact that I use Fireline has something to do with his.

[figkms]

Shimano makes a quality product all through the whole price spectrum, and will provide you quality customer service:) should you would ever have a problem with one of their products. The Spirex spinning reel will serve you well.

The posts referring to anti reverse issues, and the quick fire bail for casting pose two different issues. If you check through all spinning reels with they quick fire release for casting you will find that none of these reels have infinite anti reverse as a previous post mentioned, because the bail needs to realign and position the trigger for access to your finger for the next cast. The reason infinite anti reverse isn't available on these reels is because if the reel had this anti reverse feature the trigger would stop in positions around the reel that may not allow easy access for your finger to the trigger for the next cast.

One needs to determine what use they want the reel to fullfill: For casting a reel with the quick fire trigger might be a better reel to purchase if you don't want the inconvience of having to flip the bail over by hand before each cast. If you need a reel with infinite anti reverse buy a reel in your price range without the trigger for the quick fire casting. In this case one reel can't fullfill both needs (quick fire trigger & infinite anti reverse), just wanted to clarify for those with anti reverse issues.

I prefer to have the infinite anti reserve feature on my spinning reel, and then I flip the bail open by hand for each cast, but either option will serve you well. I too use Shimano spinning reels exculsively, you are making an excellent choice with your reel selection.

Good Fishing to all.

[WAeyes]

Well now GOS whats it going to be?

You have a bunch of very good advice here although some of it may be conflicting it doesn't mean one opinion is better than the other. It basically comes down to preference and that can only be determined from yourself.

One thing we all agree on is Shimano makes a great reel. Good luck on your decision. Try both kinds and you will get your answer.

[Cangl]

No anti-reverse, unless you are firmly holding handle or reeling. Which also means when the handle is in various positions it will roll back on its own. Loops of braided memory less line won't be on my agenda. One hand hook sets are. It's a good cold water reel for people who don't like to handle the bail or line frequently though.
As for jigging trigger roll back can be a disastor or a least a clunk.
;(

[GOS]

Thanks everyone, for your input! WAeyes- I'm going Spirex. Thinking of the 1000 series for my ultralight rods, and the 2000 series for my other, "somtimes a jigging" rod. The instant anti reverse is a non issue for me. The Quickfire II bail is very important. $59.99 at the local Fleet Farm. I'll be checking at the N.E.W. Show, this weekend in Green bay, for pricing. You guys think the 1000 series is OK for ultralight applications? Fleet only had the 2000 on display. Thanks, Gregory

[Peanut]

GOS - if QuickFire is a must - you can't go lower than the Spirex 1000. I have a Spirex 500, which is a true UL reel, but, Shimano does not put the QuickFire on any of its 500 Series reels that I am aware of.

In any event, a 1000 should do just fine for light jigging applications.

Congratulations on your decision. Shimano's will not disappoint.

derrek.

CANADIAN WALLEYE OPEN UP AND SAY "EH"!

"On Sundays some men go to church and daydream about fishing. Others go fishing and think about God."

[EsoxProSport]

The 1000 and 2000 Top Drag Models are extremely close if not the same in size. The spool on the 2000 though holds more line. You may want to compare them side by side. I chose the 2000 because of this.

[Stump]

Hey GOS,
Drop me an e-mail....Ill get you a much better deal on tha Spirex reels.
STUMP at fishinjas1@aol.com

[fishy1]

I started tournaments with the shimmano ax200 have won several more expensive reels since but I still use the reels I started with.

[fishy1]

>I have 2 shimano reels with the fast cast feature. I really
>wish I would have paid another 50 bucks and bought a better
>reel. The fast cast is nice but I have had problems with
>it. The line tends to tangle aroud it. And when you have a
>fish on it is painful. Also The line sometimes gets caught
>under the spool. You have to remove the spool and untwist
>the line to undo it. It is a miracle how it happens but
>it does and your line becomes permanantely screwed!! It
>probably happens 4-5 times a year. Anyone else have that
>hapen? Save yourself some frustration and spend a little
>more cash and get a better reel. I'm going to this year and
>the one I get won't have the fast cast feature.
IF you would learn how to use the rod to begin with and the reel you would not have so much line twist and the problem of the line wrapping around the reel would almost dissappear