Shimano Spirex 2000 FB

[Ness]

Anyone got one and do you like it??? I was weaned on Mitchell's and they were a habit for years but
lately been searching for something better... So
far, Quantum and Shakespeare have been disappointments. An Abercrombie has me happy most of the time but I thought I'd give Shimano it's turn. Who knows maybe somewhere an Abu Garcia
waits impatiently? A finicky female, perhaps, but
why settle for less if you can find the best? Oh,
well, this weekend should be interesting...

[Eyez]

My brother has one that I "borrow" every time I go casting. It's strong point seems to be casting cranks or jigs, mostly because of the double handle, and the quickfire. I don't particularly care for it for vertical jigging, though it works fine for rigging. The drag is great, just have to make sure it doesn't get real wet, or you will have to re-oil the internals and drag because they will start to bind up.

Other recommendations would be shimano symetre, or the pinnacle deadbolt dnf30. The symmetre is pretty expensive, but I got my deadbolt for around 35 bucks, and it's every bit as smooth as the shimano, and the drag is great too. The deadbolt is a smaller sized reel though.

Eyez

[AquaMan]

I have 6 of them and I gotta say that mine are flawless. Love the rear drag and the QuickFire is the main reason I went with Shimano so long ago. Smooth, dependable and lightweight.

Everything about these reels is quick and easy. Since I do repairs and maintenance in the off season on Shimano, Daiwa and Quantum, I have seen all the problems that acompany these reels and I have to say that the Shimano's are the easiest to get back in order.

I will say that I ran into half a dozen Shimano's that were binding when you reeled them in. To my surprise, all of them had an extra, loose screw in the gear box. Especially the 4000 series. I removed the screw, cleaned/lubed the gears and sold them to some neighbors who are still using them today.

I passed this to Shimano and they offered to replace them, but I was OK with the fixed ones.

Another nice reel is the SideStab if you like the features of the Spirex, but want to save a few bucks. You will have one less ball bearing in the SideStab

Get one and enjoy the day.

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

[RANGER]

Ness,

I have written several threads on this board about these reels. After many, many years of playing with equipment and rigs I have found that the Spirex reels are one of the BEST I can find - bar none! The drags (I like the rear drags) are superior to almost anything I have held in my hands, they have NEVER failed me - no matter what I have put them through, save backing my truck over one. The "fight'in Drag" has saved many a fish. You can instantly increase or decrease your preset drag by about 25%. Very helpful when old Walley Eyes sees the boat or your partner chases him/her with the net - I HATE when that happens!

I team my Spirexs with Cabela's IM7 Tourney Trail rods in 6'6", 7' and 7'6" lenghts. In my opinion, for $120 your not going to find a better combo for two or three times as much! I have fished just about every imaginable combination there is, from G. Loomis to Zebco, from a 202 to Penn Prions and I will stack this combo up against any of them! These are GREAT reels!!

RANGER

"KEEP YOUR LINES WET, YOUR POWDER DRY and THE BEER COLD"!

[kingsway]

I can't say anymore than has already been said about the Spirex 2000 FB. I have 2 set up with 7' IM7 rods and they are the best I have found.
Keep your line wet & good luck.
Rich

[TBO/MN]

I have one that I use for casting cranks, and really like the Quick Fire trigger, but don't like the "one stop reverse". I have the Sedona's and Sahara's and think they are a better all around reel. I have had them all, and still think Shimano is the only way to go.

TBO

[slick2526]

Well Ness, I dont have a spirex 2000 FB so I will comment on some other reels to lokk at. I like the cradinal series from abu garica. There CD( center drag) series is really nice my uncle has one of thoose. Pinnicale deadbolts dont have one but I here good remarks about them. My personal favorite is my Okuma avenger really nice, 7 ball bearings free spool 5:1 gear ratio everything is weather tight on it. website is w w w . okumafishing . c o m oh yah last but not least is fin-nor series quest-lite is my favorite.

[Mike B. (OK)]

I have a Spirex and a Sahara. Both are great reels, but have slightly different uses. As others have said, the Spirex is great for casting, due to the Quick-Fire and double handle. I can bang out a lot of casts quick. Its only draw back is the lack of infinite anti-reverse (has to be this way because of the Quick-Fire, you need to back reel a little to find it). The Sahara has the infinite anti-reverse, which I like when jigging for light biters, when reaction time on the hook set is critical. Don't need a reel "giving" at a time like that.

[Steve_IA]

Ness, I tried to email you about the Spirex but couldn't get it sent. Send me your email address to (abalm@spirit-lake.k12.ia.us) Steve (IA)

[bob oh]

Nes, I hate to be the only non Shimano lover, but I have 6 Shimano reels - three are Spirex - and I'm not a big fan. The Spirex is an OK reel, but I like instant anti-reverse. This, of course, isn't the reel's fault, but 2 or the 3 also have "catch" spots in them - when you turn the reel you can feel a very slight pause like there is a burr on the mechanism???? The only Shimano baitcaster I have, a medium priced one, has been repaired twice and I have quit using it. I have had the best luck with the Quantums and Abu Garcia. Just got a new Tournament Pro (5 bearings) and really like it so far. Have several Ultra Casts i use for clients and really like them and users seems pleased also. I also like their baitcasters a lot and even have some old 5500s. Not trying to knock Shimano because I know they make some excellent products, but, at least in my case, they have made some not so excellent ones. If you want to get into the high end stuff, there are all kinds of choices from all the makers.
Bob

[Matt]

Aquaman, sounds like you know your Shimano's. I have a Sahara, Sedona and a Symetre. Love them! Love the infinite anti-reverse! But I have noticed a "binding" in my Sahara (which I got because I loved the other two so much but have never had a problem with). Its like suddenly the reel doesn't want to turn, kinda like if your line gets wrapped on you rod tip. In your estimation, is the extra screw problem limited to the Spirex line? If no could you go into a little more detail on where this screw is? Is it obvious that it is an extra? I still have my manual and exploded view drawings etc. Any elaboration would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[AquaMan]

Bob,

Open one of those reels up and see if there is an extra screw laying in the gear case. I have seen this on a few. If you want, send me one and I will tweak it for perfectly smooth performance. Prestty simple procedure.

E-mail me if you are interested at: MNStander@AOL.com

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

[bob oh]

LAST EDITED ON May-25-00 AT 09:01AM (CST)[p]Actually, after I opened them and didn't find anything, I sent them to Shimano and they still work the same. Guess Shimano didn't find the tweaking so simple ;-) Really not a problem, seldom use them anymore. I'm not ripping the reels, they just weren't what I was looking for. Get a good price on Abu, like them and am adding more of them......
Thanks for the offer...
Bob

[RANGER]

Bob oh,

AquaMan is right! I have heard from a number of sources that Shimano had a production problem that caused the extra screw to get into the gear box. Open it up and check it out. This might very well be your burr.

RANGER

[AquaMan]

I'll take them if you don't want them or use them any more. I'll even give you some $$$ for them and shipping. :-)

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

[bob oh]

Really !!!!!! ;-)
Bob