Fishing Forum

Hey i'm in the market for a new fishing reel i've always used the spincast reels. Now i'm lookin for a good and affordable spinning reel, can you please give me some suggestions.
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[font "Arial"][size 2]Welcome to Big Fish. I like Penn spinning reels. First, it’s a name brand, very reliable, and easy to find parts for them. They have some good reel for under $100. Shimano has some reel that are more affordable, under $50 they are good also. I am sure everybody has there reel of choice.[/size][/font]
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Hey there kansasfisher89,

Welcome to BFT! Get as many ball-bearings as you can afford! Sounds funny but the smoothness of the reel is often dictated by whether you have 3 (minimum) up to 7 ball bearings and a very good roller guide on the bail!

If you fish 2lb test, you'll need to PAY for the smooth mechinism and superior drag system. I like the drag system to be at the rear of the reel but that's just me.

Some bails are made of titanium and bodies of graphite and those seem to hold up better.

I don't especially like plastic spools and prefer aluminum or graphite.

Check how well the gears mesh (how much play) by switching off the anti-reverse.

I also like the quick-fire trigger bail mechinism.

These are a few of the things I look for when adopting a new reel into my family.

JapanRon
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I have used quite a few different brands of reels in my life. As of the last 10 or 15 years I have been using Shimano's. Even their cheap reels at WalMart can get you into some nice fish, with little fuss. The drags are smooth, and I also like the quickfire mechanism on some of them. I haven't had any problems with the bails going bad. Some other brands of reels that I've owned in the past had some bail problems. Some come with front drag, some with rear, so you have a choice. I prefer a rear drag. It makes it easy to adjust when a big one is taking all of your line off of the spool! Get into an 8 or 9 pound walleye in a rocky, snag infested riverbank area, and you will appreciate a rear drag.

I have used their cheapest reels, and some of the $100 dollar models, and I have had good success with them all. But, that is just my personal choice.
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I've been using Shimano reels for the past ten years and they do a great job. But like everything else you get what you pay for, so don't go too cheap.Just bought a Spectrum 2500 for the new year and can't wait to get the line wet. Good fishing
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Just like they mentioned. Shimano has a very good line of reels. There are also some other brands that you might consider. Some are good, others are better. I will not attempt to give every single brand but just so that you can have an idea as to what to look for.

Shimano

Daiwa

Quantum

Pfleuger

Penn

Mitchell

Shakesphere

Bantam

These are just some of the name brands that are out there. I cannot tell you which one is the best without starting a big squabble on the site. It has a lot to do with personal preference and just like it was said, How much can you afford? It will take you some time to bond with your new equipment and become comfortable with it.
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Hey there TubeN2,

Why not start a big full blown squabble![laugh][laugh]

Seriously, here in the Los Angeles we are lucky to have Shimano. From all the reports I read from tackle nuts (miss manners will not allow me to say what they call themselves), they rave about the no-fuss, immediate, on-site (Shimano headquarters) replacement of reels that have a problem.

From a service point of view, that might be a consideration too.

JapanRon
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I personally grew up with good ole Mitchells. You know the 302s, 400s and 402s. Not an ounce of problems. Do they still make them? No. Do mine still work? yes.

I also have bunches of the Shimanos, Pfluegers, Quantums and Shakespheres. So far they have been pretty good to me. I also have some Browning reels. The STS23 + 24. Those are really nice and smooth. Not an ounce of problems with them either. (some of the Shakesspheres have taken their toll. I was not impressed with their spinning line of reels)

Believe me! My equipment gets put to the test and tested hard just like anyone else would do. I remember you saying at one time " Familiarity breeds confidence" I truly believe that. I have some wierd brands that I try out and send back because they are big pieces of doo doo.

Others that I sample, I ask for another size of the same brand and get to keep both of them. That's when I know that I have something good.

[cool][cool][cool][cool][cool][cool][cool][]
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the best shakespears are the old baitcasters , i pick up every one i see at yardsales . other than that , there reels don't impress me one bit .
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[cool][#800000][size 2]I will have to go with the Shamino also. I also like the quick fire concept. My last spinning and my recent bait casting reel purchases were Shaminos. A reel nice reel. As someone said get as many ball bearings as the pocket book can afford. Be sure that your reel is compatible with your rod.[/size][/#800000]
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Quantom. Also right now Turnersoutdoorsman is having a HUGE SALE prior to Fred Hall show.

I have 3 Quantom reels. 2 spinning, 1 conventional. All are very good quality but not to expensive[]
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[] I will go with Shimano also I have a TX2000 and it is my favorite spinning reel. It's not my best but favorite I use for worm fishing every time I go fishing. You might want to go to the nearest wal-mart the one's in Dodge City and Pratt have alot of rods and reels one sale to clear them out right now . Better hurry they don't last long![]
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[cool][#800000][size 2]Hi fyshrmn,[/size][/#800000]

[#800000][size 2]I have a TX 2-5A Aero spinning reel which is one of my favorites. It goes together well with my Fenwick Eagle ll spinning rod.[/size][/#800000]
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I have a whole line of Shimanos. AL 500, AX 500, UL 500, TL 1000, TX 2000, and the TX 4000. Some are the 2 bearing some are 4. Lots of fun and very dependable. The 1000, 2000, and 4000 al have the Quickfire trigger.
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[][#800000][size 2]Hey there TubeN2,[/size][/#800000]

[#800000][size 2]Do you belong to the reel of the week club? Do you buy a reel ever time your wife buys a pair of shoes?[/size][/#800000]
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[] Naw... he don't. I just checked our membership roll and he ain't there. He's just a glutton. Like me.

I'm waiting for three new reels to be delivered this week myself. It's been a long time since I bought them one at a time....

I need every one of them, too! I still got rods with no reels on them...

If the family goes fishing, we each got 7 rods to watch... and a few spares in case one gets spooled....

Oklahoma allows 7 rods per person... that's usually about 6 too many when the kitties start biting. You oughtta see the commotion when a school of bluecat cruise up the river where all nine of us are fishing!
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Hey Dryrod, hee hee that's funny. I don't belong to that club yet but if you can get me an application, I may cosider joining.

In all honesty, I just keep a reel for each pole. As you know the balance of each setup is important. I can't see puting a large reel on an ultralight rod and vice versa. some of the reels that I have(not from the previous list) can be used in fresh and salt water. Proper cleaning and maintenance assures their form, fit and function.

My son and I have a growing collection of rods and reels. I try to keep the combos together in certain groupings depending on what lake, stream, pond, or pier that we plan to attack for that trip. Of course my flyrods will always fit into any of the packages at anytime of the year.

You can see though from the list of model #s that there are some cheapos in there. Those are mostly for loaning out to a buddy that my son might want to bring along.

As far as reels and shoes go, I don't think I want to catch up to my wife on the inventory dept. That could get costly. We have a deal though. Either she gets the new shoes or I get the new real. It's decided through a coin toss, she gets to call and I hate that 2 headed coin she has. lol.[pirate]
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Me and my wife have an understanding. I understand everytime there is a fishing show I will come away with at least 2 reel and rods and she understands there is nothing she can do about it[shocked][blush]
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[laugh][laugh] LOL Now I could handle something like that. At least there is no disagreement.
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[size 2]I always tell her. There are husbands out there doing alot worse. Drugs addicts, alcoholics and of course cheating and/or beating.[/size]

[size 2] My mistress is fishing. She makes me drive distance to see here, I will get up early and stay out late with her. No matter how hot or cold I am there.[/size]

[size 2] And even if I don't get anything after seeing her I will be back out to see her just as soon as I can. And of course I can never stop seeing her[][/size]
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