quality spinning reel

[Captin Carl]

I am looking for a good reliable spinning reel to buy for walleye fishing. I want to spend under 200$ But at least 100$. Any suggestion? Thanks

[SLIPKNOT]

I wouldn't set a minimum price. You can get a shimano symmetre for $80 and that is probably one of the best reels out there.

[Piscatorian]

If you really want a sweet reel, try the Shimano Biomaster MgS. The Japanese sell some nicer models in Japan than they do in the U.S. market. I do not have any affiliation with these guys, but I am a happy customer. These are the only guys I know of that import the reels:

www.profishing.net

I highly recommend the 3000 Mgs. Shweet. Extremely lightweight, really smooth, ideal walleye reel. Titanium lipped spool and roller, and a nice folding handle. Much nicer than the Stradic. Goes for around $130 with the exchange rate. There is also an aluminum body version for less $.

[Wurm]

Just like what was said above, don't let the $100.00 thing set your standards. There are some great reels for less, and I think I can say yea or nea to them, because I think I own at least one of about every brand of reel there is!

HOWEVER... I own two of the Daiwa SSII spinning reels, and must say, they are of high quality. Smoooooooth gears, smooooooooth drag, and they should last me a very long time. Right now, they are priced at about $140.00.

Another reel that I just got is Pflueger's new Trion spinning reel. Although I haven't had the chance to use it yet, I can tell you they are also smoooooooooooooth, and very solid. I think the retail price is about $99.99. If you would like, I'll give you the extra penny, and you can tell the sales clerk to make it an even $100.00.

Both of the formentioned reels come with a STEEL extra spool... which is always a plus.

Good luck in your search! Wurm

[Fred_G]

I would highly recommend the Shimano Stradic. At $120 it's a super fine reel. I own 5 of them and woudl trade them for anything else.

Fred

[Youngeye]

I second the stradic, it is a great reel, and it is also shimano, best service on the market.

youngeye
Ia

[camolund]

Third on the Stradic. I them on my casting/rigging rods. I like them so much in the winter one of them gets double-duty on an ice rod.

Brad

[Captin Carl]

Thanks for the great input. I said that I wanted to spend at least a $100 because it seems like the reels I have owned before (around $60-$80) always left me frustrated. I really just want a great reel that won't let me down and it seems like I would have to get over the $100 mark to reach it. Of course I'd like to spend less. Does anyone know much about the reel Fin Nor. I have heard some good things about their spinning reels. How about Penn? Thanks again for your great feedback

[Chad]

I have a Fin Nor Ahab Mega Lite. Awsome reel. Got it for $60 during a Gander Mountain day after turkey day promo but retails for $120.

The cork drag is the smoothist I have ever seen. and it reels great also.

[Peanut]

Vote number 4 for the stradic.

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."

[Cangl]

It's a shame you have to spend more then a hundred dollars with the Symetre out there. Not one of mine has ever broke down in decades, my oldest was yanking the Nitro throgh all kinds of debris on the Grand river and its over 12 years old, poor reel been demoted to peir, dam, bank, and salmon rod. With 6:21 it reels itself. These and this reel is so dependable. Might bye a tombstone for this old girl but not in the forseeable future ;)

[Mattman]

Piscatorian -

I'm very interested in hearing some more input from you regarding the Japanese versions of the reels? Please email me. mcdougal@prtel.com

Thanks



Better to have and not need than to need and not have!

Matt Davis

[Dryfly]

Stradic gets my vote

[figkms]

My vote goes to Shimano, quality product with great customer service department.

The Shimano Aero Stradic $114.95 awesome reel, as is the Aero Symetre priced at $84.99. If you want to step up one notch from the Aero Stradic look at the Shimano Sustain. I bought a couple of these last season,:) WOW what a reel, (great for casting, smooth retrieve, fine drag), but they are pricy at $229.99.

I read a consumer testing site, can't remember location, and they rated the Aero Stradic and Sustain very highly.

Good Fishing to all!!!

[Captin Carl]

I would try the Shimano but I have tried their reels in the past and promised myself that I would never buy another Shimano. So I need to get another brand. Otherwise I would go pick one up on your advice.

[iamwalleye1]

Stradic gets my vote! If you want a little better reel for $219.00 you could go with the sustain. In my eyes that is the best reel! This year they came out with the 2500 size!

[Neal/CO]

I know the Fin Nor is real popular with Salmon and Steelhead anglers on the west coast, that should say something about its drag system!

[figkms]

Captain Carl could you expound on what problems you've had with your Shimano reels? I have used them for years, as have many others I know without any problems, so I'm curious what problems you were having or why they didn't meet your expectations.

I might be able to offer additional advice on other reels or overcome your Shimano issue if I knew more details. The features in the top end reels you are looking at is very minor so chosing a quality name with quality customer service is important. I do have friends who use or have used Daiwa, Penn, Fin Nor, Mitchell, Quantum, Pinnacle, and Teca, so I am able to offer some insight to these other reels as well.

[Captin Carl]

My Shimano problems: (I own 2 solstace reels about 3yrs old Paid about 60$ each)
#1 On the bail, right before the line enters the roller, a groove has formed. Until last year this piece was made of plastic. The line stops before the roller and has formed this groove. Which totaly ruins your line. Took me awhile to figure out why my new line always was getting frayed. Checked both my reels and this was the case. On The new reels this piece is metal so the groove won't form.-Cost me 15$ apiece to replace this piece. If you have and older reel (2-3 years) check it out. It is right at the end of the metal bail right before it hits the line roller.

#2 The line gets caught underneath the spool. It will twist around the main shaft. You have to remove the spool to untangle it. I am dumbfounded on how this actually happens but it does and the line is useless. This happens several times per year. AARRGH!!
I have had it happen on top of the spool underneath the drag also.

#3 The line will get caught around the Fast Cast feature after a cast. I like the Fast Cast feature but I will forego it to avoid this problem.

#4 (Minor problem) The line will sometimes catch the plastic triangle on the spool. The triangle is for holding the line when being stored.

Problems 1 & 2 are the reasons I cannot allow myself to purchase another Shimano. I would like to give them another try due to the high praise they have recieved by your posts. But I can't because I have become so frustrated with these problems. Which I believe they are due to a poor design. At least problem #1.

I hope I explained these problems I have expeienced clear enough. I am looking for a reel mainly for walleye fishing on a 7 ft rod with 6-8 lb test line. Thanks for all of your suggestions. Carl

[figkms]

Captain Carl. I note Cabela's list the price for the Shimano Solace is $49.99.

1.) Sounds like you have cured your problem of the roller line wear issue but it cost $15 extra to resolve the problem. I had a friend with a similar roller problem with an older model reel and Shimano sent out a replacement free. The reels I mentioned all have the metal rollers, so this shouldn't be an issue going forward, but I understand your frustation. I think Shimano and all the reel companies realized this was a problem and corrected it as you've stated going forward. The companies I believe responded to advancement in technology based on experience and input from the users of the their products.

Items 2.) 3.) & 4.) I haven't experienced a similar problem, but I think they could/would be caused by improper spooling of line unto the reel and line twist. Line twist occurs when one continuing reeling against a fish or another object when the drag is engaged. This is a possible cause for what you are experiencing and the cause of your frustation. When I spool on line at home I have experienced similar spooling problems so when I get to the water I let all the line out behind my boat (nothing attached to line) with the motor in gear to take out the line twist. I then respool the line onto the reel while the line is under tension. I repeat this procedure if I ever notice the line spiraling off the spool. This isn't a Shimano issue it happens with all the reels on the market.

There could be other causes for items 2,3,& 4 but I think line twist would be the main cause. You will also note when you research your reel choice that the higher end reels don't have the Quick Fire bail trigger as an option.

I don't want to influence you to purchase Shimano if you have no confidence in them, but there are sure a lot of people who love their Shimano's, me included.

I think if you do your research and purchase a higher end reel, with the metal roller system you recommend I think you be happy with all the well known reels, Shimano, Daiwa, ect. There is so little difference in the products, as the techonology is so far advanced, that there isn't one company with the miracle reel.

My best to you, hope I was able to help in some way.

Good Fishing to all!!!

[pa walleye]

Hey man try the TIKA 12 ball bearing. super reel for 80-90 dollars. contact john kolinski. he has a lot to do with them. bought them thru scheels stores. super reel. supposed to be in cabelas but i'm not sure.

[Eyefish]

Have owned most of the different Shimanos and I've settled with the Stradic. The anti-reverse is a must for jigging and it'll cast a mile.

[TBO/MN]

I have always been a Shimano guy, I use the Symetres, Stradics, and Sahara's...all very good reels. Last year I ventured out from the mainstream and tried an Okuma Epix, beautiful design, 10 ballbearings, and smooth as a babies butt. I didn't figure that this reel, no matter how nice it "APPEARED", would withstand the riggers of 100 days on the water, especially for only $59.00, no way!! Well, this wonder of a reel stood up just fine, and continues to be smooooooth as ever, and still looks "mighty smart". I guess, 'nothing ventured, nothing gained'..........I think I found a winner here.. ;)

Just something to think about!!!

Good Fishin'
TBO/MN

[nosnoots]

Check out the Diawa reels. Very nice. Have had great luck with mine. You can get an awesome reel in the 80-135 dollar price range. You will not be dissapointed. (and no, they do not sponsor me)

nosnoots

[Rod Holder]

Funny, my brother had the line make a groove on a Stradic 2000FE borrowed from me. Maybe he didn't notice that the effort to crank was a hair more. I have had the line get in this position but have detected that it didn't feel "right" and moved the line off before it made a groove. This has happened only rarely. I also have a Stradic 2000FG, supposedly new and improved. Personally, I prefer the FE. The FE closes the bail more easily and smoothly. I generally close the bail on the FG with a flip of my finger. I use a 4000FE for casting Rogues in the fall on a 7' rod. But...I also have a Daiwa 2500 Xia that is a wonderful reel, just not worth $135. It is worth, say $100. Galyan's had put them on sale for that price last spring. Now they are getting more difficult to find. For jigging, you don't want any reel with a trigger. They have their place, crappie fishing where you are cranking in when the fish hits and your thumb/finger keep rotor slap from occurring. But for jigging, you want the advantage of absolutely no rotor slap or even the possibility of it happening. I also have a Pinnacle deadbolt, higher model, $92, but it cranks like a rice grinder. A close friend/fisherman of mine has some Fin-nors and likes them very well. The Mega lite is the good one. I played around with a Tika at the store; in spite of a gob of ball bearings their bail closing leaves a lot to be desired if the rotor is at the "bail closing point" when you start to crank. You'll end up closing that one with a flip of your finger too. Symmetre is same action as a Stradic but you only get one aluminum spool. Line does not flow off a plastic/graphite spool as smoothly as off the aluminum one. Personal Preference: Stradic 2000FE

[TimT]

Symetre and Stradic have the same spool, fluidrive, super stopper and dynabalance. Go to the Shimano website to find out what the "reel" differences are. (Pun intended) I have a Symetre rear drag that I bought several years ago. As I remember it, they were over $100 at the time. Anyhow, I use it for river steelhead fishing. On one spring morning I had occasion to try 3 reels on my pole. A Symetre, Sustain and a Stella. Unfortunately I didn't have a Stradic to complete the comparison. Anyhow.... What I can tell you is the Symetre and the Sustain felt the same. (balance, tension, smoothness)

Maybe it was the smoothness of the Stella I had been fishing with all morning that made the other two seem like the same thing, though.

What's the point? I don't know, I'm just anxious to get some line wet. Get out there and feel around. Don't rule out anything, until you're satisfied with the comfort and reliabity of one.

[Mike]

Try the Daiwa TD-S-CU I own several Daiwas and several Shimanos but the Daiwas are the reel for me. Good Luck

[Rapaleye]

I know a lot of people on this board love shimano, but my vote goes to daiwa. I have owned both and both are well made but I give the edge to Diawa for its drag, instant anti-reverse and bail design. If you can still find the Emblem S either 2000 or 2500 it is the best reel I have owned under $100. They usually go for around $70. For over $100 I like the Emblem 2000X but as the earlier post said it goes for around $140 but is probably worth more like $110. The new Daiwa SSII 2000 looks like it is simply a black version of the Emblem X. I am sure it is of similar quality for around $140.
Good luck in your decision.
Jim

[Jess]

I second the Fin nor drag. That reel has an ausome drag!!
I like the my Fin Nor Ahab lite although sometimes the anti rev wants to stick... although thats somewhat common among infi anti rev's.
you gotta look at that drag system though.
Jess

[Jess]

figkms,
Why dose my Ahab lite stick sometimes. Also in cold weather the anti reverse turnes itself off.
Jess

[Dick]

It was Shimano all the way for me, until IU picked up a Daiwa SSII.

[luredaddy]

In my opinion, spend a little time searching and pick up some of the OLD GREEN Zebco Cardinal reels. Size 3 is the ultralite and size 4 is the standard size. The drag system is outstanding and the reels are as smooth as they get. They can be found on auction sites and tackle stores. A new in box reel usually sells for $150, one with surface wear, $50 to $75. If they ever need repair, there is no problem finding parts. If you use these reels, first put a few feet of braided line on the spools, then add the mono, it will prolong the life of the spools!