Who can recommend a good spinning reel in the 2500-3000 size that is comparable to say a Shimano Stradic Ci4. Most used for small crankbaits and maybe some drop-shotting and shakey head fishing.

I see a lot of budget priced reels like Lews, Okuma and Kastking which I assume are all either Chinese or Korean built but with so many models it's hard to tell where to start.

I'm picking up some better spinning rods and want to put something on there I will be happy with and leave me more $ to spend on salt water tackle!

Pflueger Supreme 99 bucks. Body is magnesium, light as a feather.

You guys shame me sometimes. After 50 year absence from fishing, I started again last fall. Dug out a very old Zebco 33 and spent $11 at the local bait shop for a rod.

Reading you post, I decided I need an ultralight, so went to Bass Pro and got a $30 reel and $40 rod.

When the fish are biting, I'm catching.

You won't kill this. I have 5-6 that must be 20+ years old but I have long since lost count.I still use them every year.

For durability they cannot be beat.You can kill them if you run them over with a truck. Otherwise, forget it.


http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Daiwa_Tournament_SS_Spinning_Reels/descpage-DTSSR.html

Have to agree with you on the SS1300's. It is impossible to kill one of them!

One thing that is often times overlooked when fishing bass, especially big bass deep, with spinning gear is the spool diameter for line pickup. You need to pick up as much line as possible as fast as possible to whip those big fish from what I have experienced over the years. You can get by with a narrow spool some of the time, but it will come back to bite you sometime and usually it will be on a really big fish.

I have one of those older bullet-proof Daiwas. I was wanting to get something a little smoother with more bearings etc. Nothing wrong with them, just not what I was looking for. The Pfleuger Supreme or XT look like a great reel for the money. I would love to have a Stella or a Daiwa Exist but they aren't in the budget.

I'm a Pflueger fan. I have a handful of Presidents I use but I wouldn't hesitate to go with something on up the line.

Don't overlook those Lew's reels. Without exception, people who make a few casts with mine say, "Wow!"

Stick with Shimano. Your reel is not the place to pinch pennies.

I'd put my money on Pflueger, and Shimano. Both very good.

I just had to restock for lower 48 fishing. Bought 6 of the Pflueger Supreme XT's (different sizes) and they are super nice reels. Bought some Supremes for back up and they are nice but you can feel a difference in the smoothness.
Then I decided to try a Daiwa Sustain, big mistake. Now I wished I would of purchased more Sustains.

No, I didn't need reels this expensive. But the smoothness of the reel and drag is worth it to me.

The Sustain is a Shimano reel.

SS

My mistake, you are correct.
PS: If your looking for any of the high end Shimano's try Ottos tackle on Ebay. He is located in Australia but with the US dollar strong value you can pick one up for a good price.

Hi WP47,

Nothing wrong with using what you have an enjoying yourself. I find that some people find joy in spending the least they can and being successful, others find joy in using the latest and greatest and being successful. New gear doesn't necessarily make you a better fisherman, but there are times where it can definitely help too.

Either way, as long as you are catching, relaxing, and enjoying yourself you are doing something right.


SS

Im going away from shimanos after 30 years of using them. I have a 3 1000s, a symetre, a saros and a stadic. The saros is the only one that doesnt feel like your grinding corn.

Shimano has some very crappy reels in addition to their good ones. I have worn a few of the SX line out.

Yup.

Despite the lack of bells and whistles, for $100 bucks, those old SS Daiwa's start to look pretty good. There's a reason they are still in action.


I bought another last year, a 700(?) and put it on a G Loomis E6X ultralight rod with 10 pound braid. My grandsons will be fishing that out fit 15 years from now.....once I let them have it.

Dennis
If you are looking at spinning gear for Kodiak, skip it. You will mostly be flyfishing and spinning gear will not be in the picture...