spinning reels

8735 Views 39 Replies 19 Participants Last post by speckhunter80, Jan 1, 2008

tcfisherman

Discussion Starter · Dec 5, 2007

i Have Used Several Spinnings Reels This Fall For Trout (specks) Fishing, I Would Like To Know What You All Use, An Any Sugestion For Future Purchases...................thanks Chris

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lefty

· #2 · Dec 5, 2007

Lots of folks swear by Shimano

I've been very pleased with a Pfleuger Gold Medalist I got at Dick's Sporting Goods, on sale for like $30 or so. I put a review in the Reviews section.

Reactions: 1

Coach D

· #3 · Dec 5, 2007

I have two relatively cheap combos I use. The first is an ugly stick combo I bought at Wal Mart. I absolutely love this rod and reel. I can cast a good long ways and have had no probs bring ing in fish. Of course I haven't had many big fights yet but I keep hoping.

The other is a Daiwa Shocker that I bought on sale from a bait shop. Love this rod and reel also.

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straps57

· #4 · Dec 5, 2007

Stay away from Okuma. I have 3 now and wish that I had bought shimano. I have had two handles break a Coronado CD50 which broke while fighting a big bass, and Stratus 30. My most recent that I bought was the VS50 ($150) and I am not happy with it. Right out of the box the bail springs were not strong enough to hold the bail open while casting. I lost 2 swimbaits worth about $50 total due to the bail closing the first time I was using the reel. I then had to send it to Okuma to fix which cost me $16 in shipping and I did not have the reel for a month. There is now a metal rubbing sound coming out of it so I have to take the reel apart to try and fix it myself or send it back to Okuma,for another $16, again to see what is wrong with it. This is supposed to be thier top of the line reel. I have had it less than a year.

Reactions: 2

Bread Man 1

· #5 · Dec 5, 2007

I bought a Roddy by Penn on Ebay for $10 bucks. No complaints so far. Very smooth long casting reel. It is a 341 or a 342 model I think. I also like 2000 series Daiwas'. Inexpensive as well.

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Bread Man 1

· #6 · Dec 6, 2007

Of course Silver Penn 103c's.

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Handyhands

· #7 · Dec 6, 2007

I keep more than a few rods and reels around almost all of which are spinning reels. Shimano accounts for about 30%of those. These are great reels which work well and are comfortable to use. About 40%of the remaining ones are Zebco-thats right I said it, Its a tradition that comes from generations of fisherman and I wont be the one to break it. Anyway, these are great reels, cast well, work smoothly, and pull strong. The remaining 30% of all my reels are accounted for with brand names like Johnson, a good solid, sturdy standby. An Abu Garcia, which worked well for me for about 19 years till its age started playing tricks on it.. still a good reel but the drag is touchy. Even keep a few Shakespeare reels which will definitely suprise you with their strength for the price, however the ergonomics of them sometimes can be a bit odd. The name brand of the reel doesnt matter as long as you get something tried and true, a company who has been in business a while and builds a solid, well working reel.

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Reactions: 1

Topsail Angler

· #8 · Dec 6, 2007

I like the Shimano Stradic series for most of my spinning needs and the Shimano Spheros for surf fishing.

I also have a Quanum Cabo which works fine but for the money, the Stradic is a better deal and works just as well or better. I have several other brands but these are the ones I prefer to use.

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Dave B.

· #9 · Dec 6, 2007

Penn 4300ss/4400ss

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tadpole1

· #10 · Dec 6, 2007

Chris I have purchased several older Penn spinning reels this year. I like the old simple American quality I guess as I bought a Penn 704z, 710, 716z, 714z, 722z and 7500ss. I still like baitcasters best.

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Dave B.

· #11 · Dec 6, 2007

Hey, that reminds me Jim...

Did you ever find the classic Penn you were lookin for?? what ever came of that?? did you call that place down there in the panhandle (FLA)?

tadpole1

· #12 · Dec 6, 2007

Yepp, I found one on StripersOnLine for 70 bucks.

lefty

· #13 · Dec 6, 2007

Wow, I bet we can look forward to lots more listings over in the "Reviews" section...

...hint, hint...

NC Angler Fishing Product Reviews - Main Index

(Some of you have already posted your favorites over there... but some of ya haven't YET...)

sundrop

· #14 · Dec 6, 2007

For $39-$69 I like the Shimano Sonora,Sedona or Sahara. I just bought an ABU Garcia Stamina 4000 combo from East Side tackle here in Washington for $40 and it is doing well so far. If i wanted to spend a bit more Shimano Stradic is the way to go to me.
Now I just need to get a better idea of rods and what I can afford vs quality.. I ve been using cheap Shimanos and have had issues with guides coming apart, but I think I had something to do with that...LOL!!

Reactions: 1

Dave B.

· #15 · Dec 6, 2007

I too have the Shimano's (Sedona's), they're good
Penn's are good, hold up to salt really well

Also have had luck with Okuma's as well... love the AV-50's and 80's.. for the price.. hard to beat!

NC Angler Fishing Product Reviews - Okuma AV-80 Heavy spinning reel

Reactions: 1

sundrop

· #16 · Dec 6, 2007

Ive heard mixed reviews of Okuma. Seems like the higher priced models seem to do well while still being cheaper than comparable models.

mulletman

· #17 · Dec 6, 2007

I use Shimano (Sonoma, Sahara and Stradic) 2500, 4000, and 5000. If you have the time to wait check on Ebay you can get some good deals. The last Shimano I got on Ebay was $15

for a new Sonoma 2500.

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Reactions: 2

lefty

· #18 · Dec 6, 2007

mulletman said:
I use Shimano (Sonoma, Sahara and Stradic) 2500, 4000, and 5000. If you have the time to wait check on Ebay you can get some good deals. The last Shimano I got on Ebay was $15

for a new Sonoma 2500.

Ha ha, I've also seen folks paying $20 MORE than street price on eBay for Shimano reels -- so whether you want to SAVE money or WASTE it, eBay's the place for you!!

Topsail Angler

· #19 · Dec 6, 2007

I think that is why he said "if you have time to wait".... if you are patient you can find a good deal otherwise you are right, you can pay too much. - I bought a "lot" that had 3 Stradic 2500's in it that were in great shape for $75 (including shipping) - less than retail price for one.

Reactions: 1

lefty

· #20 · Dec 6, 2007

The other key is not to get caught up in gotta-win-itis. Just like buying a car -- as soon as you decide (consciously or unconsciously) that you can't walk away, the other guys wins. But just like the car salesman, eBay is going to keep taunting you to stay there and close the deal. If you can't kiss it good-bye, you lose.

My wife got caught up not too long ago, and was encouraging me to up my bid on a backpacking sleeping pad (a Therm-a-Rest). I closed the laptop and told her that I'd given my best offer and got beat, and I wasn't gonna look at it any more. I'd bid $30, it sold for $32. (New price is around $90 for this model.) About two weeks later, another couple of used ones showed up, I just won two for $27 each. They ought to arrive shortly. But if they'd have passed $30, I'd have gone to REI's after-Christmas garage sale.

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