View Full Version : Best Spinning Reel???
Michael H.
03-16-2001, 07:03 PM
I need to buy a reel. I have a new St.Croix rod, model 3S66MLF. It is 6'6". It is for 1/8-3/8oz lures and 4-10lb test line. I don't know what kind of reel is best. Please give some info. Thank You.
downriver
03-16-2001, 07:18 PM
Since you have purchase a excellent quaility rod you buy the best reel that you can afford, Shimano Stradic ST-1000 is a great reel. Abu Garcia makes some very good reels, the german manufacture DAM makes some very good reels at a reasonable price.
Full Choke
03-16-2001, 07:23 PM
I fish a lot of Pennicle limiteds and I think there pretty good. The 1000 size. The drag is the only issue. Its OK not great. I went to Shimmo sysemtry(spelling ???)mUCH BETTER DRAG. SAME money
Buy the She-man-oooooo.
Good fishing
Full Choke
Melonbob(ON)
03-17-2001, 03:23 PM
Take a look at Quantums' TiMag. titanium bail and magnetic bail closing system. Seems pretty sweet, but I can't give you an actual review since I haven't fished one yet. That's my new toy for the spring though, hopefully. The prices are compareable to Shimanos' high end reels, but they have 7 and 9 bearing models.
slick2526
03-17-2001, 03:42 PM
Have a look at okumas Epix series reels at okumafishing dot com. Very nice, they have great drags, and plenty of bearings
AquaMan
03-17-2001, 03:49 PM
Shimano Spirex 2000RB with QuickFireII, Rear Drag, Fightin' Drag and Balance. This is the fastest reel on the water ! KaaPow!
AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~
.·´¯° --- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"
buzzer IA
03-17-2001, 04:57 PM
DITTO
River Rat
03-17-2001, 05:25 PM
I have 4 pinnacles, 5 shimano, and a couple of diawa regal z's. There is no doubt in my mind that shimano is the way to go, never had a problem with them. Had lots of problems with the pinnacles and diawas.
I just got that same rod,I put the Smyetre on mine,seems like a good fit. ddt
Amen. Tons of them.
Box in MN
Take a close look at the new Daiwa Regal Z-C series. I don't think anything is close for the price and I think it is as good or better than many more expensive reels.
I think Daiwa's ABS spool design is an improvement not a gimmic.
Size is kind of a personel preference, but I think the 2000 would work nicely on your rod.
Smitty
03-18-2001, 02:24 PM
I don't know if it's the best, but I know I love my Shimano Symetre.. Extremely smooth reel. I liked it enough that I just bought a second.
walleyeal
03-18-2001, 02:58 PM
I see you posted this in two discussion groups. I agreed with most of the previous answers that the shimano systreme is the best reel. We have several 1000 front drag reels. The sport show I am attending next weekend, I am going to buy another 1
luredaddy
03-18-2001, 04:12 PM
If you can get your hands on the old green Zebco Cardinal Reels, you will not be disappointed. #3 is ultralite, #4 is the standard size. In my opinion, there is nothing better. They show up on ebay, and the prices they fetch are indicative of their quality.
PaulEngr
03-18-2001, 04:36 PM
The smoothest real I've fished with is the Diawa Emblem - wonderful. In my opinion - it's even better than the old Cardinals.
MarkG
03-18-2001, 04:48 PM
Still like the Diawa SS-1300 . A bit primative by some peoples standards ,but as reliable as they come,very lightweight,and the best drag on the planet! I never had any luck with Shimanos,always broke,and always some excuse why they couldnt fix em,or wouldnt honor the warranty. Gave up on them long ago.Maybe they are better now.Have about 6 Diawas ,3 of them SS-1300s had them for years,been dropprd,dunked,rained on,stepped on,etc etc,not one of them ever broke.Regardless of what brand you buy,I personally would recommend front drag over rear. Also a infinite anti reverse ,that is, stops anywhere on its rotation as opposed to only one spot as in the trigger type reels. You will be much happier with them.
Fishbrains
03-19-2001, 09:28 PM
The stradic 2000FG is smooth as silk, excellent drag & instant anti-reverse, coupled with fireline it makes for a top notch spinning outfit along with the nice rod you have.
Fb
Schmitty
03-20-2001, 05:27 AM
The Quantum Response is an excelent reel.
Smooth as silk and casts like a dream.
The anti reverse is second to none and the drag is awesom.
There a little pricey but well worth the money.
Schmitty
03-20-2001, 05:32 AM
Do you know anywhere to get parts for these reels?
I have one and love it but the dele that holds the bail open when you cast is worn out.
Dam thing only lasted 25 years :)
Any help would be apreciated.
Eyecon
03-20-2001, 08:08 AM
Try the Team Daiwa Tournament SS Reels.I own 9 of these and have never had a problem,these reels are proven and have been around a long time.The front drag system on this reel is second to none.I'm just starting to get comfortable backreeling,but I'm so confident in this drag I don't have to.Very tough and very smooth. I like the SS1300 model it balances very nice on rods similar to yours and holds 165yds of 8 lb.When I bought mine they where selling for about 139.00 now you can pick them up for about $89.00 at Cabelas.Great reel,great price,years of fishing.
Go with the Shimano Stella 2500F. Sweet reel.
Shimano Symmetre or Stradic 1000, or if you want the extra line capacity, get the 2000.
Eyez
RANGER
03-20-2001, 10:04 AM
I'll weigh in here. Personally I like the Shimano's (Spirex, Stardic or Symetre - 1000's, 2000's). Out of these I like the Spirex, I like it's rear drag. All darn nice reels and I think Shimano has the best drags in the business! IMHO
RANGER
"KEEP YOUR LINES WET, YOUR POWDER DRY and THE BEER COLD"
Leechboy
03-20-2001, 11:44 AM
The diawa tournament SS 1300 gets my vote. Been around for a while with no big changes, because they work.
Phil T.
03-20-2001, 04:27 PM
Amen to the Cardinals. Mine are the more recent black graphite-bodied ones that were marketed by Abu. Still the best rear-drag reel I've seen.
I prefer simple front-drag reels. One of my best is a 1969 vintage Mitchell 308. The new ones are pure junk.
I also like light-weight reels for jigging, no more than 8 ounces. Yes, that stands for my Cardinal C-4, which is not a big favorite. I like the C-3.
Last year I bought a couple Penn 4300 SS reels. Excellent internal construction, should last for years. Penn also has their Prion model for a lot more $$ and more weight. With either model, you get real bronze gears, and staniless steel shafts. That kind of construction is very hard to find.
Swede
03-21-2001, 06:11 AM
River Rat, you must be a dealer, collector, or guide. That's a lot of reels. I've had good luck with the Shimano Sedona, as well as a Penn 4300SS.
vetspet(ind)
03-21-2001, 07:45 PM
question aquaman....why would you like the rear drag vs front drag as i think the front drags have larger washers and therefore would work better?...i'm in store for a new spinning reel also and thought most of the heavy fishermen preferred front drags?...thanks..steve
I have to agree with Smitty. I have 2 Shimano Symetres, one with rear, the other with front drag. They are both very smooth, and the instant stop is great for getting a good hook set.
You can spend more, but there is no reel more sweet, smooth, and solid than the Shimano Stradic -- I prefer the 2000FG over the
1000FG, but only because I think the bigger spool gives finer control of the drag. (And yes, front drag beats rear drag when you're fighting a big one on light line.)
I have these on 5 of the 7 rods in my boat (the other two have Calcutta's).
Hans
You can spend more, but there is no reel more sweet, smooth, and solid than the Shimano Stradic -- I prefer the 2000FG over the
1000FG, but only because I think the bigger spool gives finer control of the drag. (And yes, front drag beats rear drag when you're fighting a big one on light line.)
I have these on 5 of the 7 rods in my boat (the other two have Calcutta's).
Hans
rawburt
03-23-2001, 05:08 AM
I'm sold to the CD-4 by Abu-Garcia. That center drag is so smooth you can even have fun with yellow perch and have control over a big bass or trout when you need it. That's my opinion and I stick to it.
Ernie
03-23-2001, 05:11 AM
I use Shimano. The best reel for the money I have found has been the Symetre. I did get to see the new Quantums with the magnetic bail and Titanium pick-up. Looks like a contender.
Deadeye
03-23-2001, 10:09 AM
Try a shimano Spirex
AquaMan
03-23-2001, 11:48 AM
Personal preferance. But the size of the tensioning disk is only nominally bigger on the front drag reels. However, I find it is easier and faster to adjust the drag on the rear while reeling in. These also have a quick adjust Fightin' Drag lever that will pop the presure on or off without free spinning in the event you under or over tightened the drag in the first place. For me, it is a matter of what I have gotten used to.
Also, I have lost the front drag caps more times then I wish to remember and the caps tend to tighten up when the spool spins due to the friction. The spool spins the same direction as the cap that tightenes the drag and since the cap is also what keeps the spool on, it works to tighten the drag some times. Make sense? I know that was not very clear, but I think you know what I mean.
AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~
.·´¯° --- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"
Botomfeeder
03-23-2001, 12:08 PM
I thought that the Symetre was the best until I went to the Shimano website. www.shimano.com/fishing/spinning . Check out the Stella. I checked to price at Bass Pro. Only $574.00. I guess I have to re-define the term "best". I would have to have a lot of things bought before I would spend that on one reel.
Tim FRick
03-23-2001, 12:24 PM
You can't go wrong with a Fin Nor Ahab Lite!! I've caught it all with this reel!
Good Luck!!
Tim FRick
Phil T,thanks for the tip on the Penn4300s.I am also a Cardinal3 lover.Any problems with the Penn?Hows the balance on the rotating bail head.Is it smooth like the Cardinal or does everthing wobble and shake like many others?