Hello, I had some old reels around the home and rods as well and started going fishing only to notice that no matter how hard I casted I could only get the lure out a good 20 feet, my friend had an old Shimano on his rod and he could cast out 60-80 feet.
I am trying to get a new reel not only to reel better but also because mine is broken it seems, or it does not have a high ability to reel, even on tiny fish I can feel the reel letting the line slip out.
now I am by no means a pro fisher, I just do it on weekdays I have off twice a week, I do regular bait and lure casting and reeling going after trout for the most par no fly fishing etc. can anyone recommend a reel in the low to middle of the line spectrum something under $50.
also do these reels come with the line on them already? if not can anyone link me to or give me advice on how to line the reels because I am sure that impacts the casting distance and tendencies of the line tangling.
Thanks a million!
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I was looking around saw three reels that look decent, which one of the three would someone suggest?
once again thanks!
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when you buy a reel with line already on it, you can strip it off and throw it away because it is junk.
what type of reel are you useing?
I am asuming you are using a bait caster,
I beleive your problem is the settings are off from being thrown around, and it dose take some pratice to get to the point where you can cast well with a bait caster,
I suggest you switch over to an open faces spinning reel. you wont have to worry about accidently bumping in to the dials and messing up the casting setting or the drag setting.
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Yes I am doing regular bait casting, I need a new reel anyways because mine has horrible drag and the line slips out of the reel...
any idea out of those three which one is best?
I like the Okuma because I can get it cheap, but the Shimano looks better?
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since your a beginner, I am going to suggest this one for you,
bait casting rods and spinning rods are not the same.
with this combo you will have a good rod along with a reel that is equivalant to the three you were refering to.
the price for the rod and reel combo is 39.99
[center][url "http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0042213121573a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&QueryText=spinning+reels&sort=all&selectedPerPage=72&N=0&firstPage=true&Nty=1&hasJS=true&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form23"]
![[Image: s7_121573_999_thm?%24thumb%24]](http://images.cabelas.com/is/image/cabelas/s7_121573_999_thm?%24thumb%24)
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I already have a 6'6 Ugly stik medium action brand new, so I was looking for a reel by itself.
so any advised on the three or any other suggestions would be nice
I was looking at the Okuma Avenger Bait 40 and it is only $40 at walmart, that propulsion feature on the shimano, should I buy into that?
The Okuma I think has 6 bearings the Shimano only has 3
thanks again!
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edit I also saw some of the reels in person today the mitchell 300xe for example is HUGE is there any bad side to a big reel besides it weighing more?
I saw some rod/reel combos that had much smaller reels I always figured a smaller reel won't perform as well..
this will be a cross between freshwater and occasional saltwater so I need to compromise somewhere...
out of those three though no matter what I check they all have great reviews expect the shimano is a bit more with a few extra features..
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I did some more research I am going to go with a Ugly Stik 6'6 M action and Shimano Sedona 1000FD for now..
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Hi F575gtc,
Since the three you showed in your photos are all spinning reels, you are on the right track as far as casting easily. The 6'6" rod isn't a bad choice, I don't think I have ever seen a bad Ugly Stik rod. If you have your heart set on that reel, go for it.
What weight line are you planning to use? The lighter and smaller diameter line it is will make going for distance easier. But there is the trade off of how big a fish you are going to be going after. With light line you need to be able to set your drag lighter and work it in heavier as you wear the fish out or you risk breaking the line off first thing in the game.
When you put your line on the reel, have the reel mounted on your rod and feed it through the guides to the reel.
Double wrap the line around the reel first then tie it off. Clip the tag end of the line off even with your knot. The Uni Knot is the one I like to use as I can tighten the line up on the reel and it is pretty much not going to come loose if a fish should spool you, that is to say take all your line out to the bitter end.
You can check out various fishing knots here:
http://www.tnoutdoorsmen.com/knots.htm
Lay the spool down flat on one side on the floor and start to feed it onto the reel keeping the line tensioned between your fingers in between the reel and the first guide as it fills the reel. If you notice a curl to start to develop in the line as you fill the reel, just flip the spool of line over and it will even itself out. Fill that puppy up to the edge of the reel.
The only way to get really good with anything is practice. So you will have to get out there and practice, I suggest that you go out fishing as often as possible to maximize your practice sessions.
Jay
treadhead1952
Las Vegas, NV
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all of those are the same quality, so it is just a matter of finding a reel with the line weight classification, "6 lb - 8 lb - 12 lb"
the bigger the weight classification, the bigger the reel will be, it is that way for a cople reasons, the spool needs to be bigger to accomidate the same amount of line and the gears have to be bigger in order to not strip or break while handling bigger fish.
bigger reels are find for pan fish, just remember to use 2-4 pound leaders below your swivel snap.[cool]
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I have 4lb test line I was planning on using that, if I buy a 6,8,12, reel can I still use that on a 6'6 ugly stik with 4lb line for the timing being?
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Yeah you will have not problem using 4 pound test on that reel. Just make sure you have enough of it to fill the reel. if the reel said it can handle 200 yards of 6lb plan on putting somewhere around 250 of the 4lb. That is just a guess, so don't hold me to that. you just need to make sure you fill the reel up so you get the most out of your casting distance.
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I got a great price on the Shimano Symetre FJ ($45 for a $100 reel

) and it is so much smoother than the sedona and Sahara
anyways if I get the 2500FJ which is designed for 6lb at 200 yards and ,8,10 test I can still use 4lb test and put 240 yards in it?
anyone know if the 2500FJ fits the ugly stik? the reason I ask is I tried a different reel on my old rod and the reel was too big to fit properly.
finally I know this is off topic, a person that has been fishing longer than I told me I got the wrong rod, a medium action is no good for trout and bass... is he right? I couldn't find a 6'6 rod with light action local, so I got a 6'6 medium...
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absolutly you can use a lighter line on a bigger reel so long as you fill it up, "have it done at the store, the will fill it and you wont have any waist.
Typicaly, if a reel is rated for 6 pound, that is what most anglers will put on it.
By using a swivel snap, barrol swivel or butting your lines together, you can make a lead of lighter test all the way down to 1/2 pound.
I use 6 pound on my reels, and I have been known to make up to 6 foot leads below my swivel snap.
It sounds like to me you know the value of having as light a line as posible. So I will make a line suggestion for you, "Silver Tread N-40"
Getting the right line for that reel is as important and getting the right reel.
there are many types of line, stay away from low memory high abrasive lines. They are great lines, but they are not made for that reel.
if you do go with the high abrasive resistant lines you will be unhappy as all getup. the reason being is that line wants to remain straight, even when it is spun around the reel, thus when casting you will experiance birdnest after birdnest.
Hight abrasion lines are great for trolling, the best for making leaders and a nightmare for spinning reels as far as casting is concerned.
I tell you this from personal experience. 5th cast with my mr twister I had a birds nest in my reel. I am a guy who can fish with spinning reels in the dark with no lights and no problems.
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Quote:anyways if I get the 2500FJ which is designed for 6lb at 200 yards and ,8,10 test I can still use 4lb test and put 240 yards in it?
Yeppers you got it. I cant really say exactly how much more line you will need but it will be somewhere in that ballpark. Like DTC said it would be best if u got a tackle shop to spool it for you so you know that it is right.
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ok guys I went a slightly cheaper route since I just consider myself a light fisher.
I got a uglystik 6 foot medium action and a cheaper Shimano Senora 2500 reel with 5 bearings and lemme just say the real was only $20 new for me the rod was $25 and I couldn't be happier, the retrieve is super smooth and the casts are great too I used 6lb test Barkley vanish line for now with a 2lb test floro 18 inch leader and I am using the trout magnet lures and lemme just say.
LITERALLY my first two casts landed me 2 fish in a row!
My first cast landed me a decent 7-9 inch bass and my second a smaller bass.
I was surprised and my friend extremely

. I spooled the reel according the instructions and I can cast far with ease.
I am really happy with having this combo for $45, and the trout magnet system cost me $10 for an 85 piece kit with hooks and different color worms, and I honestly do think it works, if you pick the right color that the fish are biting that day they JUMP on the hook.
thanks for any and all help, if I get more hooked on fishing I will probably get a more expensive reel later on but only after this one breaks why replace what I feel works perfectly?
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Congratulations on getting something that works for you and does what you want it to. I also agree on working with what you have until it goes haywire before you replace it. As you get used to it with more fishing, you will become more confidant in it as well as your abilities to put it right where you want it every time.
Jay
treadhead1952
Las Vegas, NV
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my friend had to out do me and got the Sedona 2500 I have the Sonora 2500, on paper they are identical just different color...
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[laugh][laugh][laugh]
Heheheheh, That's what friends are for!
Just strive for bigger fish and tell him his reel is at fault. [

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Jay
treadhead1952
Las Vegas, NV
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