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I need to replace my old Swedish Cardinal 4 spinning reel. Looking for reels with rear mounted drag and push button extra spools. Suggestions?

Shimano may still make a rear drag reel. Once upon a time you could get the symetre in front or rear drag.

Another vote for Shimano spinning reels. As far as I am concerned they are the best reel for the buck....

I made the switch from the Cardinals many years ago to Diawa then to Shimano and have never been sorry.

I know the Cardinal 4's have a cult following but once you use one of the newer reels you'll never go back to the archaic Cardinal 4

I use a cardinal 3 garcia reel on occasion. The new reels are smooth and all but longevity isn't there.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


This. in spades.


I was a cardinal 4 fan, Big Time.

Picked up a cheaper ( $69) Shimano as a spare for a trip years ago...it made the Cardinal four feel like a coffee grinder!

Ive never looked back since then. I did try a new Cardinal and what was said about longevity was certainly true...they don't hold up.

Had great luck with Shimanos....

It is amazing the quality you get with today's spinning reels. I can still remember when I got my first Mitchell 300, talk about a coffee grinder! It had many gears which made it an effort just to turn the handle.

I just looked at the Shimano line up of spinning reels at Bass Pro. The Stella is off the charts for cost. $800!!!!!!

http://www.basspro.com/Shimano-Stella-FI-Spinning-Reel/product/1404021406362/

I use Pflueger spinning reels and have been very happy with them for the freshwater fishing done around Arizona. The Arbor #7430 (smallest) is my favorite for 4 and 6 lb fireline and light lures.

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Pflueger_Arbor_Spinning_Reel/descpage-PASR.html

Pflueger does make a awesome reel for a very good price and longevity is there but I don't think they make a rear drag model. The Arbor size 30 is one of my favorite reels.

Rear drag reels are getting harder to find because to get the drags into the back of the reel they have to be very small. On a front drag reel the drag washers are in the spool and much larger which makes the drag much smoother. They are also very easy to pull out and cleaned the drag washers.

I think I can live with a front drag model, but I really like the quick change spools on the old Swedish catdinal reels. I found out that Pflueger has a $20 rebate on any reel over $99, but some of their stuff now comes from China. Anybody have experience with Pflueger Supreme Spinning Reel?

I still own some old 300's that don't get a lot of use any more. Mostly for nostalgia's sake. I'm a Schimano guy. Really like their stuff. From the cheapest ones to the ones I can't afford. They just make the reels better these days.

I used to run rear drag reels, mostly Shimanos, but I switched to front drag and have never looked back. Most new reels don't include a spare spool and for the price you could nearly get a second reel. You may want to consider the Pfleuger reels (President, Supreme, or Supreme XT). I have an Abu Garcia Soron that I really like. If you go AG, go Revo. The Orra series is not good. Sons Diawa Aird came with a 25 and 30 size spool which was nice. Don't think they make the Aird anymore though.

SS

I just bought a XT25 and a XT30. Both are smooth as silk and very smooth. Will not have a chance to try them until mid May. Tackle Warehouse had them on sale for $112 last week so after rebate it brought the price down to $92 per reel.

Shimano spirex with rear drag..they make front drag as well.
I have ten of them in all sizes.

Shimano makes others as well that are great, sienna, solstace, etc.

You'll thank me....