need suggestions for a spinnging reel for jiggin

[JinxCanada]

ok. my Shimano 2500Fb Sahara took a dump on me already this year, drag is not working. i need suggestions for a decent reel that won't break the bank but has good bearings (5 or more) anti reverse etc and is not too expensive. any help? TIA

[karpbuster]

ok. my Shimano 2500Fb Sahara took a dump on me already this year, drag is not working. i need suggestions for a decent reel that won't break the bank but has good bearings (5 or more) anti reverse etc and is not too expensive. any help? TIA
UL or light I have the Abu Garcia 300ul (well three or four now). They go on sale (rebate) from Cabela's and cost around $30. A great reel. This is it ... not on sale right now, I think $10 rebate, so $35.

http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0036079120604a.shtml

karpbuster

[jshoemaker]

Pfluger president reels are very reasonably priced and are super solid

[brentfrank]

2nd the Presidents.

[Scales]

When you look for a new reel, keep in mind that a front drag is much stronger than a rear one due to the fact that it has more surface area. Also, I would suggest that you look for a reel with infinite anti-reverse, especially if you plan on using it for jigging. It comes in handy when a fish rips the reel handle out of your hand, keeps the line from going slack.

[Mattman]

Years ago I bought a Sedona, Sahara and Symetre at the same time. Shortly after I bought them I couldn't really tell the difference in the reels.

That winter I tore them all apart and cleaned and lubed them. The difference was noticable. Much better design and more durable design in the Symetre.

A few years later the Sahara was dead. And the Sedona had been put on a rod that rarely sees use. The Symetre was still going strong. And still is today.

I won't buy a reel under the Symetre class now. The Stradic class is the level most of my reels are at.

[eyeballs]

Vertical Jigging reels as a rule are small, lightweight pieces of equipment.
Since vertical jigging rods are short and lightweight we simply balance the
outfit with the correct reel. There’s no need to have high line capacities on a jigging reel. Drags must be very dependable and instant anti-reverse is another key feature to look for in a spinning reel.

Also, stay away from reels with the quick cast lever on them for jigging—
Fishermen report on many Shimano reels the drag will not engage until
you’ve turned the handle 360 degrees. This could be a problem for dropping to the bottom and closing the bail types of presentations.

America’s most popular brand of spinning reel used for jigging is the Shimano mid priced reels like the Sahara and Stradic. However, Pflueger’s
President has also found it’s way into many a jigging vessel with very good
reviews. Pflueger is quickly growing in popularity. You’ll find the same compact reel works well for pitching and live bait rigging.

[JinxCanada]

i don't use baitcasters at all really since i retrieve with my left hand and there are none that i have seen that are left hand retrieve (even though i'm right handed). i just can not jig or hold the rod to retrieve very well with my left hand..i have much better control with my right so that's why i go with spinning reels.

i have been using a Shimano Sahara 2500fb for the past year but the drag is broken on it (emailed and asked for a replacement reel...we'll see how that works out) on top of having the original spool "clicker" thingy break on it. i like the reel, but it doesn't seem to have any longevity of use for the price.

[eyecatcher01]

[quote=JinxCanada;1090578]i don't use baitcasters at all really since i retrieve with my left hand and there are none that i have seen that are left hand retrieve (even though i'm right handed). i just can not jig or hold the rod to retrieve very well with my left hand..i have much better control with my right so that's why i go with spinning reels.

JC, i am the same way when it comes to baitcasters...dont see the reason for switching hands and reeling with the right. i only use left handed baitcasters that have some version of a flippin switch. i just bought a quantum code lefty few weeks ago and it is very nice reel...the code red and walleye grade also come in lefty models which have cpl more bearings but basically identical to the code.

as far as spinning a spinning reel....pflueger supreme is awesome. much lighter than the president and reasonably priced

[bardern]

2nd the Presidents.

x3! local shop has the XT model on sale for $65. can't be beat at that price

[larrym]

Good advice so far. I have both the Pfluefer President and Shimano Stradic. The Pflueger is a good medium priced reel and for jigging stay with the smaller model. The Stradic, however, is my favorite and, in spite of the cost, I've ended up with several and they are all I use. The 1000 model is perfect for me although may feel small to those with bigger hands. At twice the price of the Pflueger you would have to decide for yourself if it's worth it. If you ever try one you'll be hooked.....quality equipment has a way of doing that. :)

[Lundexp]

Pfleuger President for me too, that is all I put on my jigging rods.

[eye4aneye]

I bought a couple Daiwa Excelers' this year because they were the lightest weight for the money. So far, so good. I really like them. I have a couple Symetre's and they are good reels but I hate the bail system . . . they are very hard to trip so you end up closing the bail by hand all of the time.

[Blackmacs]

Has anyone used the Quantum PT series? What did you think?

[st-paul-mn]

I have always used diawa tournament ss reels for jigging.

they are currently around $90

they used to be priced at over $125, but i see they are not made in Japan anymore and the new reels are not as smooth as my made in japan models

they do not have infinite anti-reverse but i feel that the reel does not "creep" on me when i fish with the bail open because of the play in the bail positioning

the drag is good and so is the price
they also are available in a very light 700 series

Any comments on the ss series?
should I change- i see many of you use presidents

[eye4aneye]

Has anyone used the Quantum PT series? What did you think?

Big, clunky and really heavy.

[Phil T]

Buy the best reel you can find that weighs about 8 ounces or so. Any heavier will cost you the sensitivity you paid dearly for when you bought a good jigging rod.

[drbrand]

Pfluger president 6730 spinning reels are hard to beat for $60. Scheels had the Pfluger president reels with a free Scheels lifetime IM7 rod of your choice last year which was a nice buy. Maybe they will do it again this spring.

[Sportdog]

x4.....I have a Shimano Symetre and a Stradic. I also have two Presidents. IMHO the President is better than the Symetre and at least as good, if not better than the Stradic. I fish for lots of different species and have over 30 rod/reel combinations so none of my reels really get an intense workout. The only failure that I have experienced between the afore mentioned reels was the spring fell off the Symetre spool when I was changing spools. That was the first time I tried to use it. Your results may vary. Good luck with your choice.

[Sportdog]

Has anyone used the Quantum PT series? What did you think?

I own three Quantum CX500 and two PT's. These are my favorite baitcasters. I love the flipping features on them and they are my goto reels for bottom bouncing. I also use them for vertical jigging and casting crank baits. I don't have any experience with other low profile, flipping baitcasters because I have started and ended with these reels. I just spooled up a new PT last night and coupled it with a very light Quantum rod for tossing light cranks and soft plastics for bass. I am looking forward to see how it works out.

[cornbuster]

pflueger president for me own 5 and not had one problem with them

[Lundexp]

When I got 2 new jigging rods last year I got a shimano sonora 2500FA and a pflueger president 6730. The shimano is fairly smooth and nice, but not anywere as smooth and better like the pflueger is. Needless to say after my first trip with both reels I stopped by cabelas on my way home and got another president 6730 and put the shimano on a lower end rod I had laying around. It's no question what I will be getting when I get a high end jigging rod, another president 6730. The 6725 will work great for jigging too but I like the 6730 for the extra capacity.

[JinxCanada]

I picked up a Pflueger President spinning reel today as well as a less expensive but very nice Okuma spinning reel. also, caught my first walleye of the year today :-)

Thanks for all the advice guys

[Backwater Eddy]

I recommend looking at the GST 30 or 35 Tournament series from Gander Mountain. They are 10 bearing reels for $49.99.

Pflueger makes the reels for Gander Mtn and they are very high performing reels, at a fair price.

I have several ranging from the GST 25 up to the GST 45, they hold up very well.

http://www.gandermountain.com/assets/images/products/large/411072_L1.jpg