Best spinning reel/under 100 dollars

[eyeski]

Any experiences with spinning reels, good or bad. I'm looking for something under 100.00 and currently leaning towards the Daiwa Tournment SS. Thanks in advance for any input.........

[eye_guide]

Check out the Pinnacle Deadbolt. I have a couple of these right now and I really like them. I'm about ready to replace a couple older reels this spring and the Pinnacle is what they will be replaced with. Priced at $90 in Cabelas.

[Mattman]

Check out the Shimano Symetre. Great reel.


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

Matt Davis

[fishinnut]

I'll second the Symetre.

[Homer]

I'll second the Daiwa SS. Haven't fished them side by side against the Shimanos, but like mine well enough that they've replaced the old Zebco and Garcia Cardinals as my reels of choice. Smoooooth drag, and they last forever.

[Smitty]

One more for the Symetre.. Great reel!!

[brian1785]

The problem with the Pinnacle's are in cold weather the drag and anti-reverse slip. I have 3 of them sitting in my garage and can find a dealer that will look at them. IF they could fix that problem, then go with the Pinnacles. I see in the Cabelas catalog, the new Pinnacle has a line in the description relating to the "toughness in cold weather". Maybe they fixed the problem. Just my 2 cents worth.

[Jig Master]

I bought a Shakespeare Catera for $30 and have been quite happy with it. I've caught just as many fish on it, as I have with my more expensive reels.

[Arkie eye jerker]

Ditto"""
Symetre

[Greggb]

I bought a Okuma Epix last year for $50. Best reel I have owned thus far. Tight and smooth. 10 bearings! I hate sloppy reels. Dont care for shimano because I've had too many bad ones and dont bother with them anymore. Diawas have been good too.

[BRS1]

Check out the new Okuma Epix 10 bearing. They had some problems with the handle when they first came out, but they fixed it. I have been running one side by side with a Shimano Stradic since July and have to say that I would prefer buying two Okuma over one Stradic.

www.fishusa.com has the best price I have seen

The Okuma also has a smoother quieter drag than the Stradic and my Okuma looks like it has been through WWIII. I have used it fishing a local river (cheaper reel for beating against the rocks) and it has held up perfectly.

Okuma also has a baitfeeder version out now.

Let me know if you have more questions. brian@hanseaticgroup.com

BRS1

[mikie]

I've given up on Mitchell's Chinese imports and decided to try Penn's. I'm very pleased with thier durability, feel, and that they are USA-made. That Copperhead I had kept giving me problems and the Penns has been flawless at least so far. m

[science nerd]

I have a Symetre and its a very nice reel. I think reel for reel, $ for $ the Shimano's are hard to beat. My only problem with them is the 2000 is a little small and the 3000 a little big. I see alot of people with the Deadbolts and I think they have a reputation as a nice solid reel. Everyone makes a good reel right now and if you spend a fair amount of money should be happy with whatever you want. Some people like the quick fire or quick cast feature other people including myself prefer the infinite antireverse. I don't think you can get both on the same reel. If I thought I liked the Diawa SS and $ was a concern I would also look at the Daiwa Regal-Z. I actually prefer it to the SS model. I think its perhaps a little better balanced. This is all certainly a matter of personal preferance. If I was dowm to Diawa SS or Symetre I would go with the Symetre. Sometimes I think I like getting ready to go fishing almost as much as fishing.
Nerdy

[Arkie eye jerker]

Sometimes the getting ready for the fishing is more fun, than the fishing. I had a bad two days fishing last weekend. But like most eternal optimistic fishermen, a few days back at work and I see better fishing days coming.

Good Luck,

[Dman142]

Why do reels' anti-reverse fail when it gets cold? I have a friend who has a couple Shimano's that do this. I have never figured out why this happens. I don't own any Shimano's and I have never had a problem with Fin Nor, Abu, or Pinnacle's anti reverse.
Thanks
Dman

[flyman]

Penn still makes some of their stuff in the US, but much of it is now made in China as well.

[guest]

Clean out old grease, replace with lite weight grease, and my DB 25's and 30's work perfect on LOTW all winter. December thru yesterday, and all of last winter. Never had problems with these.

[David Anderson]

For $14 more you can have a Stradic

[Mille Lacs Guy]

I have not had good luck with the Pinnacle deadbolts. I have one and the line twist no matter what you do or what kind of line it is. i have tried everything and the reel is the problem. I do not have this problem with other reels. I posted a thread about this problem a while back and a number of other posters had the same problem and where not happy with the Deadbolt. Apparently there were quite a few problems with the deadbolts a few years ago. The one I have is a DLF 25 which orginally listed out for well over $100. I got it on clearance and now I know why. The reel is very smooth and maybe they have fixed the problems. I'll sell it to anyone that wants it for $30.

[Schnauzer]

Another vote for the Symetre. I believe the Stradic is closer to $30 more ($85 vs $115).

I have a new Stradic but haven't used it yet.

[brian1785]

I've heard it has something to do with the grease in the gears or bearings, not sure though. Wish I could find someone to "tinker" with my Pinnalces though, because I really like them a lot.

[brian1785]

Thanks for the information Guest. I'll give that a try.

[slick2526]

http://www.okumafishing.com All you need to know. I own the ultra-lite, avenger, and epix. The only one I had problems with is the avenger. they didnt set the bail spring right and that was all. I can say i have caught a variety of fish on them and no problems at all. Smooth as silk also if you ask me.

[Lumpy]

Go with the Daiwa SS. The best reel I have ever used. It might feel a little wobbly with no load on it but when casting cranks or jigs it has no wobble. Lays the line on the spool very even and, the drag is bullet proof.I like them so much that i've got four of them. Another option to consider is to look at the Regal Z's. Bought two for my sons and they love them. Very smooth good drag, very balanced. You can buy two of these for the price of a SS. IMHO you cant go wrong with either one or any Daiwa product you choose.

[Fish Hound]

There are a lot of good reels out there. Dick's has a clearance price on the Daiwa SS,s. I think $79.97. The new Quantum seems very nice. Supposed to have a superior drag to anything out there. Dick's has them for $89.99. The Pinnalce Dead Bolt goes for $49.99 and were on sell for $24.98 a couple of weeks ago. The Shakespeare Catera is probably the best reel there is for under $50.00. Also the new Pfluegers are very nice. Check them all and pick the one that feels best with the rod you will use it on.
The Fish Hound

[Rod Holder]

Practice a little patience and you may buy a Stradic at less than $100. Sportmart had a sale on Labor Day two years ago and I got one at 20% off. There is also ebay but that is spotty. The idea is, if you are vigilant, you may get a Stradic for less than the $115. The Symmetre is basically the same reel but you get a spare spool made of plastic rather than aluminum and a less fancy crank on the Symmetre with a plastic knob. When casting, line does flow off the aluminum spool just a little better than off the plastic spools. I found this out back in my Spirex days. A Spirex is a decent reel for crappie fishing but not so nice when jigging or rigging for walleyes. I passed my Spirexes down to my son. Another reel which is wonderful and can be had off ebay for less than $100 is a Daiwa Emblem X 2000, 2500, or 3000 ia. Casting with this reel with the slightly larger diameter spool is terrific and these also have infinite anti-reverse. I have a single Pinnacle deluxe model, size 2500. Don't want another. Absolutely not as smooth as a Daiwa or a Shimano. Fin-nor also makes some decent spinning reels; can be found for less $ on ebay.

[Brian I]

I have found my Shimano Sedona to be a great reel. $50.00.

[W1]

I have a few Sahara's and a few Sendona's, they are a great reel $47-$60.

[Suzuki]

Ditto on Symetre or any of the Shimano spinning reels for that matter. I especially like the fightin drag. I have it on every one of my Shimano's.

[Suzuki]

I'll second the Sedona. Just bought one on Sunday.

[Beckman]

Check out the Tica Libra. I would say that it is on par with the Stradic. I picked one up a couple weeks ago for $58.

[BAGGY]

ANOTHER VOTE FOR THE SEDONA.

BAGGY

[REW]

I have had a couple of reels, with anti reverse problems in cold weather.

Every reel was fixed, by simply cleaning - and removing all of the lubrication, and putting in a bit wider temperature range grease.

Take care
REW

[iamwalleye1]

I sure like the shimanos reels! Try Sahara's and Sendona's, If you can swing it the stradic is very nice!

[steelie7]

Tica Libra 2500, (around $60) 10 ball bearings, imported (China, I think), nice & smooth. Otherwise, any Shimano, from the TX2000 to the Stradic. High quality reels. I use the single ball bearing TX2000 for river steelhead fishing. For $20.00, If get a season out of one, I'm happy! Good luck & good fishing.

[Gill]

I have 4 Symetre reels and have never had a problem with them. Very good drag system and super anti-reverse.
You won't be disappointed with one.

Gill

[Barry]

Tica, not known very well but a very good drag system, If I remember right the Libra is about $70.00. A little heavier than a Stradic, with IMO a better drag. Please no debatting Stradic vs... Just IMHO.

[Tom Moe]

Shimano-Symetre!

Tom Moe

[DR]

Ok guys, here's an article I wrote a bit back on the Daiwa SSII, its basically a tourney SS with all the extra bells and whistles and WORTH the extra money HANDS DOWN!!

http://www.riversmallies.com/guestrev_drichards4.html

Now, to all the Shimano lovers, the Symetre's and above $$$ wise... are good reels, as long as you DONT GET THEM WET!! once wet, they become a pain in the rear, the handle locks up on the start of every turn and they become coffee grinders. Keep them DRY and they work well, all except for lines hanging on the drag knob and that unbearable wrap that happens around the roller with lines as well. KEEP those shimano's fellers, they can't even be compared to a Daiwa SS

DR

[mike]

I have always had problems with Diawa.Never again.Shimano all the way.

[T-Rev]

My vote for the Daiwa SS or the Daiwa Regal Z's. I have fished them next the the Shimano's. Out of the box they both feel nice but, the Daiwa's have out lasted the Shimano's in everytime. I have 2 Daiwa SS reels going on their 8th season and they are still flawless. Well worth the $.

[Atomic Eye]

I agree with Fishhound - the Shakespeare Catera is an incredbile value at <$30!! Very smooth feel.

Atomic Eye (New Mexico) -- "Gone Fission!" ~~~<}}}:>

[Flip]

I have fished both the Symetre and Daiwa SS, they are both great reels! You'll find the Symetre to be abit tighter in the anti reverse, there seems to be a little slop in the Daiwa's. My choice, the Daiwa SS 1300. I have 11 of them, a few about 10 years old, drag is as good as the day I bought them.

[SUPERTROLLER]

I've got 7 Diawa reels and have never had a complaint with any of them. Only my SG27LC's are as expensive as the SS models you are looking at, so I think the SS reels ought to work Great for you. I like the 2500 size Regal. Seems perfect size for all around reel.

[DR]

Flip,

The Daiwa SS Tourney is DESIGNED TO have that "slop", however...the Daiwa SSII has NO slop what so ever.

DR

[Candrzoo]

I have 3 Shimano Solstace and has had no problem with them. I like the trigger release! They have a nice ballance and are smooth.

[JeffC]

I've had great sucess with Silstar Reels, Silstar makes reels for Pinnacle which I would probably purchase if I didn't have all the Silstar.

[Yup Pup]

Yes, SS spinning have been great for 10 years for me.
Only 3 BBearings, but never a problem. Always consistent performance, regardless which I pick up. Great handles, not like those dorky tootsie-roll types that are found on other reels.
Best I have ever used; no complaints. Now, they are even more reasonably priced.

Good luck.