Which spinning reel ?

[Steve P]

I am looking to purchase 2 or 3 new spinning reels this season. I have used Daiwa Tournament SS reels forever and love the light weight, the super drag and the durability.
I'm looking for suggestions on new reels that will meet or exeed the performance I've received for over a decade from the Daiwas. Please give me some feedback on what reels you've come to love in the 6lb to 10lb capacity range.

[Hans]

I really love the older Shimano Aero Stradics. Have about 5 of them in 2000 and 3000 sizes. I notice the new ones seem to be redesigned, however.

Hans

[scottcny]

I too fish the SS Daiwa reels. i don't think you will find a better reel as far as weight, durability and drag system is concerned. they are alittle pricy but the 2000 Cabelas master catalog has them at $89, that's not too bad, i've seen them priced over $100 locally. " if it ain't broke, don't fix it"

my 2 cents.

[AquaMan]

Sounds like it is between Daiwa and Daiwa....:-)

Try the T-2500iA Tourney or the TD-S2500iA Team Daiwa if you want to be really impressed, otherwise continue with the SS series you are used to.

If you want to change MFR's, I like the Shimano line of reels. If you do not like the "Quick Fire II" system of the Sidestab or the Spirex, then try the Sahara or Stradic. All 4 will provide comparable smooth function and durability.

Have fun!

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

[Fred_G]

I would highly recommend the Shimano Stradic in the 1000 and 2000 sizes. I now have 2 of each size and they are the smoothest spinning reels I have found. I use 6# Fireline on the 1000 and 10# Fireline on the 2000. Only problem I've had is when my son accidently dropped his book bag on one of the 2000's and bent the crank handle shaft. Called Shimano and had a new crank handle in a few days. Wouldn't trade mine for anything else. LOL Fred

[WAeyes]

Get the Shimano Stradic 2000. Smooth as you will find. Bass Pro has a stradic reel with an Extreme rod combo for $140. Can't beat the quality at this price.

[Weyes1]

Try the Pinnacle Deadbolt 30 series. Smoooooth drag, Light weight, solid antireverse. The Limited series runs $89.00 at Cabela's or $92.00 at B.P. I just got two of the regular Deadbolt 30's at $52.00 and I am really impressed with them. Should work just fine on my two new St. Croix Legends that will be done this weekend.
Weyes1

[Jim/UT]

I'm definitely a Shimano fan for performance, reliability, and quality. My personal favorite is the Spirex with Fight'n Drag, but I know this isn't a popular one across the masses. Mine last for millions of casts, drag never fails me, cost is reasonable.

Good Luck!

[crash]

Ahab Mega-lite, Possibly the finest drag on a spinning reel. Put mine through all sorts of stuff it probally shouldn't of been doing (ask me about the 18lb bluefish that ate half the boat). From ice fishing to light saltwater duty.

[Juls_WI]

I'm voting for the Finn-Nor's Ahab Quest Lites...
normally run just around 100.00 but you still may be able to find them at Gander Mountain on sale for 50.00 a piece. If they don't have them out, ask the guy/gal behind the reel counter if they have any left. I did and they did. I liked them so much I bought four this year. So far so good!

Juls

[Big D]

If you are looking at Pinnacle try a Cabela's brand. They are made by Pinnacle and should be less than the brand name. I don't know who make BPS reels but I wouldn't recommend them. For my money go with the Shimano.

Good LUCK.

[RANGER]

Jim,

Ditto on what you said....I have Spirex reels, too and I can't say enough about them. Mine have been put through some nasty situations and like TIMAX - "THEY JUST KEEP TICKING"

It is beyond me as to why the "Fightin Drag" isn't all that well accepted. My experience has been that they have saved me a lot of lost fish right at the boat when ol' wally eyes gets a glimpse at where he/she is headed; OR MY PARTNER CHASES HIM WITH THE NET!! I hate when that happens!!!

RANGER

[crash]

The Quest lite is the Mega lite without the fancy drag. That drag makes that reel. The Mega runs about $160. There's been plenty of fish that would of never made it to the frying pan without that drag.

[Juls_WI]

Hhmmm didn't know that, but the reels im using are doing just fine. Thanks for the correction though.

Juls

[John in MN]

I am a big fan of the rear Fightin' Drag on Shimanos. You can adjust your drag immediately. Great for vertical jigging. Set your drag a little tighter for the hook set and back it off for the fight.

[Smitty]

I'll throw my vote in for Shimano as well. Just bought a new Symetre this winter and so far love it. Extremely smooth & tight. Since it's new, I can't comment on how it will hold up.

[EAGLE EYES]

Steve, for the price it's tough to beat the Daiwa series you've been using. I love mine and would'nt trade for nothing else.

[walleye warrior]

Shimano spirex with fight'n drag all the way,super easy to use, just move lever with your thumb! Price is right "under 50$". One hand operation,I use it with fenwick gold eagle rods, super action.

[crash]

Thats OK juls, I almost ordered the wrong one when the Quest came out, They look almost the same.

[night_eyes]

I have 3 of the pinnacle deadbolts. One model 25..one 30..and one 35 and i wont use anything else. They are pretty awesome!~!

[AquaMan]

Glad to see some other happy campers with the Spirex SR-200RB. Rear & Fightin' drag, QuickFireII, Fluid Drive, DynaBalanced and 4 BB make this reel my first and favorite choice for most fishing applications.

For those that like the QuickFire systems but don't like the higher price on the Spirex, try the Stidestab. Great reel for about $35-$40

I personaly like the rear drag better then the fron drag. It is faster and easier.

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

[Mrrugs]

The toughest, most durable reels I've ever owned are the Quick reels available off and on from Cabela's.

Mrrugs
<9)))))>{

[slick2526]

Hello, I normally use Shimano, and Abu Garcia. Well I went into this #####www.bassfishingusa##### chatroom and i said I was going to buy the (center drag)CD64000 that abu garcia makes. This person nicknamed BUCKRUBB44(Bud Feilds) under there suggested to me to look at the Okuma Avenger reel. I aske him some questions about the brand and the reel becuase I have never looked at them before. This spinning reel has 7 steel ball bearings, free spoll, fold down handle design, very nice drag. So of course I asked him the price right away. $50.00 for being that cheap i thought it would be a peice of junk but there not!! its the nicest reel ive ever owned. If you would like to look at this reel goto http:www.okumafishing##### or if you wold like to see the price and purchase it goto #####www.worldwideangler##### if you would like a catalog of there reels email john at john@okumarfishing##### and give him your adress believe me if you purchased this reel you would be very pleased. :)

[grant]

the daiwa emblem X has all of the features of your SS reels plus instant anti-reverse. The price is about $130. Worth the money I think.