Spinning Reel Preference

[abkeenan]

Hey guys. My Dad bought a Johnny Morris spinning reel last summer and isnt too impressed with it. He is too computer illiterate to find reviews and would not even know the first thing about trying to get some opinions as to what to buy. Reviews on bass pro site of the Johnny Morris arent all that great either. Dad says it gets quite a bit of line twist and he just doesnt really like it overall so he is going to take it back and get another brand instead. What spinning reel would guys recommend? I think he paid around 70-80 bucks for it so im assuming that he would replace it with another around the same price point. Saw with some reviews that people liked the Daiwa Exceler, Abu Garcia Cardinal 500 series, Pflugger President and President XT, Shimano Sahara/Sedona/Spirex/Symetre. Okuma has also had some good reviews but is not carried at BPS. Suggestions on any of these guys? Thanks in advance on you opinions and experiences.

-Brett

[tapout]

I read in a bass master article that the daiwa exceler was the best reel under $80. Don't own one though. I own two Shimano stradic's I really like. There was a prior thread on this forum that addressed spinning reels in october. It was titled "suggestions on a new shimano egg beater"

[techo]

I am probably going to get beat down for this opinion but here it goes. I have some BPS ones, some Pflueger Presidents (my favorite) and a few others. Last year I bought a Shimano spinning reel for $11.99. I think it was an IX something. We were taking a young kid fishing and I figured if he lost it overboard with a rod that had the tip fixed, it would be no big loss. The funny thing was the reel was smooth. We ended up replacing some other reels with the little cheap reel. I have cheap Shimano spinning reels that are fifteen years old and still on rods we use on the pond by our house for bluegill.

It seems to me that a really good sensitive rod is important for spinning reels, but you can get by with a cheaper reel. Baitcasters are a different deal and it seems a good quality reel there is more important.

For what its worth....that's my 2 cents worth.

[motoman]

I am probably going to get beat down for this opinion but here it goes. I have some BPS ones, some Pflueger Presidents (my favorite) and a few others. Last year I bought a Shimano spinning reel for $11.99. I think it was an IX something. We were taking a young kid fishing and I figured if he lost it overboard with a rod that had the tip fixed, it would be no big loss. The funny thing was the reel was smooth. We ended up replacing some other reels with the little cheap reel. I have cheap Shimano spinning reels that are fifteen years old and still on rods we use on the pond by our house for bluegill.

It seems to me that a really good sensitive rod is important for spinning reels, but you can get by with a cheaper reel. Baitcasters are a different deal and it seems a good quality reel there is more important.

For what its worth....that's my 2 cents worth.

-

Nope, I'm with yah techo. I've got a few of the Shimano Sidekicks in the 2500 series (not sure if they're even available anymore?). Got 'em from Cabelas for under $30 a piece; and they are just as smooth as my higher priced Shimano egg beaters.

-

A few years in and they're still kicking.

-

Oh yah, did I mention I'm very Shimano loyal on spinning reels? I've been a Shimano fan for about 20 years. Very dependable, even the couple that got neglected a bit.

[Sam]

I agree with techo that quality in a spinning reel is less important than in a baitcaster - and I do most all my fishing with spinning reels. The thing is, when you cast a spinning reel the bail is open so the reel doesn't matter then. Being smooth on the retrieve and the bail flipping over smoothly is about all that's important. Even the drag on a spinning reel doesn't matter a whole lot - I back-reel more than I rely on the drag.

I've got quite a collection - Daiwa Excelers in three sizes, several Shimanos, a Pfleuger President, and they're all good. But they don't fish much better than the off-brand spinners I've picked up for $15 each off the BPS "reconditioned" rack.

[timsfly]

I fish a lot of Shimano spinning reels and Casting reels, they are sure hard to beat.

Some are a little pricy but I guess you get what you pay for, I've got some Diawa reels

I really like that are over 30 years old, but you know I'm still putting line on Shimano

reels I sold when I worked down at the lodge at Roaring River, some as old as 30 years

I think Shimano makes a great reel, but I have seen some good reels for under 80$ over

the last few years.

[dwiebenga]

I am with techno, and I will get beat up by Babler, but I like my Pflueger Presidents . This spring will be my first year with a good Shimano. Maybe I will become a total convert like I am with my casting gear. The President has been a smooth reel for me, and I have not had a single mechanical problem.

[shockley32]

Spinning Reels - Okuma all the way. They are very reasonable in price, are smooth and I haven't had any problems with them. Fin and Feather carries several lines. Good luck with whatever your dad ends up with.

Brad

[Don House]

Pflueger Presidents get my vote. 10 BB and very smooth for the buck.. $60.00 at Bass Pro and I have found these can take the daily grind, where others mentioned could not. Just my 2 cents.. Good Luck and Good Shopping...

Don

[Sore Thumbs]

The Shimano Sedona 2500 is an excellent choice. It is around $59.00 and has some of the same features as Shimano's more expensive reels. I have one on a st.croix mojo rod and have caught more fish on this rod and reel than all of my other set ups.