Reel recommendations

[uplandhunter870]

so ive been out of a reel since late november,  drag mechanism stripped out fighting a big steely.  been putting off getting a new reel mainly because my play money fund is pretty much dead but i got some tax money coming in and decided to use some of it to buy a new reel since spring fishing is starting to pick up around here.

im a novice when it comes to fishing gear other than tackle.  so gear gurus what would a good all purpose spinning reel be.  its going to be paired with a 7' medium action ugly stick and will be used for everything freshwater; steelhead (makes up about 70% of my fishing), salmon, spinning/trolling trout, walleyes im sure you get the point.

i know quality costs money and you get what you pay for all in the same im not looking to spend a fortune.  i want a decently priced reel that will hold up.

Thanks in advance,
Steve

[Gobble]

For a baitcaster I would recommend the Ambassador reels, they have many avail in many different price ranges, the 5500 C3 are what I mostly use, I have reeled in hundreds of salmon/steelhead on them with very little problems. You can usually get them around 50-60 bucks if you look around.

[Antlershed]

I believe he's looking for a spinning reel    I would say, figure out just how much you can spend, and then look at the shimano line of spinning reels and get the best one you can afford. Just make sure you don't get a rear drag model.

[Gobble]

I believe he's looking for a spinning reel    I would say, figure out just how much you can spend, and then look at the shimano line of spinning reels and get the best one you can afford. Just make sure you don't get a rear drag model.

I guessed I missed that    Yeah, Shimano is a good way to go, great reels. Make sure you get one that can handle 12lb line, I kind of use that as a all round guidline for my reels, you can always use lighter line but for the larger salmon/steelhead I like to use 12lb mainline as a standard. 

[snocohunter]

I don't see where you mentioned spin or baitcaster, but I will echo what the other people have said. For the money, you can't go wrong with the ambassadors in a baitcaster. Otherwise, anything shimano is going to be great quality. I started this year with an old shimano bantam that is probably as old as I am and it worked beautifully. I then upgraded to a curado 300 because I got a deal of a lifetime on one. The next spinning reel i buy will be a shimano as well. You can't go wrong with their reels.

[ribka]

Go Shimano look at the TR series reels. I picked up a model 200-G, 2 years ago. About $70.
I fished it over 100 days in salt water last year when I was working in Texas. No problems. Salt water is tough on reels!!
Will last many years.
 

[Curly]

Okuma reels are a pretty good value for what you get.......at least the last time I bought some which was several years ago when they first started becoming popular.  I'm not sure if they are still reasonably priced, but they might be worth researching.

[MtnMuley]

Shimano stradic would be my choice, but if that's a little pricey, the Pfleuger President series reels are absolutely great.  I have one going into it's 4th year now, and it still is as smooth as ever.   

[7mmfan]

As is mentioned above, shimano is a great brand. If your looking for a decent real and lets say, under $100 go with the Sahara, or maybe step up to the Symetre. Both should be under $100 with the Symetre getting close though. The sizes run 10 being the smallest on up to a 50. For what you are doing i'd get a size 30. It will handle enough 12# line to make it worthwhile without being oversized for your 7' rod. I've guided with these reels for a long time and have been impressed with their durability. If I had to recommend a reel to stay away from it would be Okuma's. They feel great out of the box and are smooth initially but they fade quickly. If you fish a lot they probably won't last you much longer than a year or so.

[Sneaky]

Steer clear of anything penn unless you're willing to spend the big bucks or have some of their old reels like the 109's and 209's. I fish hard in saltwater and all of my new penn 320's and 330's have failed due to nylon gears and bad engineering. For a good all around real I would have to agree with the others and recommend a medium-range Shimano spinning reel.

[BigGoonTuna]

daiwa makes some great stuff too.  cabelas' prodigy is a rebadged daiwa tierra for less money.

[Curly]

If I had to recommend a reel to stay away from it would be Okuma's. They feel great out of the box and are smooth initially but they fade quickly. If you fish a lot they probably won't last you much longer than a year or so.

I disagree, but everyone has an opinion.  I've had great results with the Okuma Spinning reels I have.  I have the Epixor and Inspira models.  I think you get more reel for your money with those.  (The Okuma models I mentioned you can get for around $70).  Some Shimano reels are great but you pay a little more for the name.

Here is a link to a thread with some more advice:  Spinning reel advice

[Intruder]

I've fished a ton of Shimano in saltwater situations.  They are good reals as are Diawas.  However, I believe Quantum makes a superior product for the money.  Titanium bails, ceramic drags, and magnetic bail trips (rather than springs) are fantastic features.  The Cabo for just over 100$ is an awesome reel.

[Alchase]

I am another fan of Okuma, the Epixor EB with the flip switch is awesome, I have four of them. A true multiple use spincast reel.

I also like the Shimono 4000 series spincast.

I also still have a couple Mitchel 300A that work great, lol

[uplandhunter870]

thanks for the input everyone looks like i got plenty of choices to look over

thanks again
Steve

[JackOfAllTrades]

I put Okuma 40's on my boys Ugly Stix and if those reels can survive my boys for the last two years.. They'll last for anyone.

That said... I still use a Mitchel 300 though! 

-Steve

[Intruder]

Okuma makes an OK real.... I've got an ultralight that has performed well for being relatively inexpensive.  I've also got a couple of their fly reels.... they're actually a pretty decent product too.  However, the spinning reels really don't hold a card to the multi ball bearing Quantum, Shimano or Diawas.  The gear quality, corrosion protection, and seals on those 3 are vastly better.  Van Staal's are the cream if money is no object.  If you can spend about a 100 bucks you'd likely be able to get youself something that you'll never wear out.  I've got a guide buddy who has a Cabo that he's had for about 3 or 4 years.... 200 days a year in salt and it's still going strong.  That's about 5 lifetimes of average angler in freshwater.     

[Ripper]

 From what I read in your post, The Shimano Symetre is the perfect fit for you. I love mine. I have a few of them. I'd get the bigger one,400 model. I believe it will hold about 250 yards of 12 lb. test. Smooth and reliable for $79.00 + tax.

[BLKBEARKLR]

All 35 of my reels are Shimano, never had a problem with them. And they work great. I have a lot of the stradics but the Symetre are great reels also, I have been buying those of late because they do not make a 1500 any longer.

Joe

[GWA Hunter]

I personally love Okuma. I use their reels for about every type of fishing such as walleye, salmon, trout, bass and more. I love the Epixor model which is around $50-$70  and have been very impressed with the Okuma Hardcore EB30 which is a 9 ball bearing reel for about $30. You will not be dissappointed with Shimano either though. Hope this helps. 

[uplandhunter870]

ive been looking over all of the suggested reels and have to say so far its a hard choice.  but what does every one think of Abu gracia's and quantums in the same $100 price range

[Intruder]

Quantum!

[MtnMuley]

I striclty use quantum spincasts for bass fishing.  Tons of casts with tight drags and lots of hang ups.  Get about 2 years out of the $100 to $150 range ones before they get sent off to be rebuilt.  If you're from Wenatchee, I'm sure you've been into Hooked on Toys to handle their large selection of mid to high quality spincast reels.  You can get a good feel for the size you're looking for.

Like I mentioned before, I'd go with a shimano or pfleuger, but of the two choices you listed, definately a Quantum.

[Curly]

MtnMuley, do you really use spincasts (like the old Zebco 202) or do you really mean spinning reels?   I did fish with a guy at one of the Federation tournaments years ago that used a spincast reel for skipping his baits back under trees and/or docks, but not many guys use spincast reels.

I have a few Quantum baitcast reels and I like them.  Don't have any experience with the spinning reels though.

[MtnMuley]

No Curly, what I meant was a spinning reel.  I guess I refer to a spinning reel as a spincast and casting reels as a baitcast........kinda forgot about the real "spincast" reels.........I grew up as a kid using 202's though!

[alanger]

I  like Abu Garcia's Revo or okuma, i guess you kinda got to test them out before you go buy somethinng.

[Intruder]

I  like Abu Garcia's Revo or okuma, i guess you kinda got to test them out before you go buy somethinng.

I think he's talking spinning reels 

Have heard those Revos are decent baitcasters.  I got a bunch of the old 4000 and 5000 series Ambassadors.  Good reels but not in the class w/ the Diawa/Shimano/Quantum casters.  I do have a fond spot for an old time Ambassodor I latched onto when I was about 13.... a 2500 series.  Tiny little baitcaster.... great with 12lb flouracarbon for crankbait fishing.  Acutally, now that I think about it, I think I only have 2 left... traded my others off over the years.

[BigGoonTuna]

i've got close to 2 dozen ambassadeurs...4 of them are 2500Cs.  daiwa and shimano have yet to put out a reel that can outcast a properly tuned 2500C.  a modified one set a casting record, something like 120 meters with a 5/8oz weight!

my primary steelhead reel is a 4500C.  30 years old and you can still get parts for them, try that with a 5 year old shimano...

[Skycruiser]

Steve, my recommendation, if you are a fairly serious fisheman, especially a steelhead fisherman, is to upgrade to a baitcasting reel. They take a little getting used to, but the control you have is FAR superior to a spinning reel. I switched over years ago, although I still use spinning reels for surfcasting. One thing I did when I switched is bought left-handed reels, which crank on the same side as spinning reels. For some reason unknown to me, baitcasting reels typically crank on the right, forcing you to cast with your left hand OR (as most people do), cast with your right and then switch hands to crank.

[alanger]

Sorry uplandhunter, i thought you wanted a baitcasting, disregard my post,

A shimano is where i would go with a spinning reel.

i've got close to 2 dozen ambassadeurs...4 of them are 2500Cs.  daiwa and shimano have yet to put out a reel that can outcast a properly tuned 2500C.  a modified one set a casting record, something like 120 meters with a 5/8oz weight!

my primary steelhead reel is a 4500C.  30 years old and you can still get parts for them, try that with a 5 year old shimano...

2 dozen??!?!?!? thats a lot of reels

[huntnphool]

if you are a fairly serious fisheman, especially a steelhead fisherman, is to upgrade to a baitcasting reel.

I agree, a baitcaster for tossing corkies and.......................well um, bait .........and use your spinning combo for bobber/jig fishing.

 I have found the Curado to be a very good real and have the Asian cousin model (Scorpion) just because the color matches better to my Sage rod and also use the x01 models, or left hand retrieve. A few years ago I was talking with a Shimano rep at one of the shows and asked why more companies didnt produce left hand baitcasters, it seemed a no brainer to me and I am always amazed when I watch the fishing shows on TV that most of the guys cast with their right hands then swap hands so they can reel, it has always seemed silly why they simply didn't buy left hand. He told me, now again this was several years ago, that more than 90% of their left hand reels, the x01 models, were sold in the NorthWest and that their just wasn't enough of a demand for companies to re-tool to produce them, it was not cost effective. NorthWest he explained being Oregon, Washington, Alaska and British Columbia. As you can imagine this gave Shimano a distinct advantage in sales for quite some time in this region, and a one reason why you see so many Shimano owners on the rivers around here.

 Shimano makes my favorite reels and I use their spinning reels as well, for bobber/jig fishing I use a Sustain and find it works very well. 

[Curly]

+1  on the left hand baitcaster recommendation.

[Huntbear]

Left handed baitcasters all the way.  Either Abu Garcia or Shimano.

Spinning reels - Shimano hands down the best.  I tortured 2 over a 2 year period on Large Mouth in Georgia.  Never cleaned em, nothing.  They were still as smooth as the day I bought em.  Oh, and I used em for pitching jigs under docks with braid on em.  Draggin big bass out, drag set so tight, the line would cut you.  They never failed.

[snocohunter]

I really debated on getting a lefty when i bought my 300E, but I thought since most guys i see use a right handed reel there must be some reason why. I don't mind switching hands, but maybe some people don't like it. I love my shimano spinning reels too, even the old rear drag models I have. Can't wait to buy a new spinning setup when I get back to work. Hopefully soon.

[MtnMuley]

Stricktly preference on left or right hand.  For me, left hand spinning and right hand casting.  I've tried to use the left handed casting reels and can never feel comfortable turning the tighter handles.  It would seem that by casting right handed that it would make sense to reel with the same hand as you would using spinning gear (left hand).  For me it's just not the case.

[fisheral87]

Symetre       +1

[87Ford]

Never have used a spinning reel much.  For a baitcaster, I love my Curado with a left hand retrieve..

[Intruder]

my primary steelhead reel is a 4500C.  30 years old and you can still get parts for them, try that with a 5 year old shimano...

Good point!

[Intruder]

I agree, a baitcaster for tossing corkies and.......................well um, bait .........and use your spinning combo for bobber/jig fishing.

Funny.... I'm just the opposite.  I use the baitcaster for bobbers and the spinning reel for corkies.  I like being able to feed line w/ the baitcaster better than have to flip the bail on a spinning reel. 

[87Ford]

I gotta have a baitcaster for pitching bait or corkies/yarn.  Without thumb pressure control I'd be in the trees a lot..

[whacker1]

Can't go wrong with Shimano or ambassador reels.

[jordano]

Pfluegar spinning reels... especially the President..... Abu Garcia 5500C baitcasting... only ways to go

[fisheral87]

Funny.... I'm just the opposite.  I use the baitcaster for bobbers and the spinning reel for corkies.  I like being able to feed line w/ the baitcaster better than have to flip the bail on a spinning reel.

Whole nother thread there dude.

[uplandhunter870]

thanks for all the input guys.

after alot of shopping and research i went with a pflueger president xt.  looked hard at the shimanos and quantums but when i picked up the pflueger something just really felt right.  i dont know about the rest of you but when in the past when a piece of outdoors equipment "speaks" to me it leads to good things.  now the wait for the springers to come home.

once again thanks a ton guys
Steve

[Curly]

Thats cool.  Glad you found one. I've never even looked at a Pflueger......I might have to give them a look someday when I need a new reel.

[BigGoonTuna]

uh oh, all the left handed weirdos are coming out of the woodwork...