Winter Gear-Up Question

[abkeenan]

Updating my old quantum energy combo that has seen better days (reel finally bit it after 10+ years of service) and am looking to buy a new spinning reel. I am going to be putting the reel a Falcon Clark Wendlandt Cara T7 7'M (which seems like a steal at TW for $99. All it is a Cara blank with BuCoo handle). Anyways all input welcome and maybe an comment or two about your choice would be nice. Thanks.

-Brett

[Gavin]

I've been through enough Daiwa's & Shimano's in the past 6-7 years to know that I dont want another one...I have an Abu and a Plueger...no issues with either of them, but I like the handle on my Abu better. Good Luck.

[abkeenan]

I've been through enough Daiwa's & Shimano's in the past 6-7 years to know that I dont want another one...I have an Abu and a Plueger...no issues with either of them, but I like the handle on my Abu better. Good Luck.

Thanks Gavin. That is exactly the kind of response I am looking for...someone who has owned, used and compared brands and models. I am looking really hard at the ABU Orra SX.

[Stoneroller]

I have 4 pflueger's 2 president xt's and 2 supreme xt's and love them. no issues and they've worked flawlessly. the 'MG' series has a magnesium frame as opposed to the aluminum frame on the XT's but that shouldn't be an issue. One thing I really like about the supreme is that the side plate can be removed to lube the gears without removing the rotor, unlike the president xt, which requires significantly longer time to clean and lube. Pflueger has possibly the best drag on the market in the supreme and patriarch lines. I did add a tiny bit of loctite to the screws on the side plates of my reels as they would loosen after a couple of weeks and I was paranoid about losing them.

In my opinion and experience shimano tends to be overpriced for what you get, seems like they think their name alone is worth a 20%markup. but that's my opinion.

[Champ188]

Been thru quite a few Shimano spinning reels myself, along with a few Daiwas. Bought my first Johnny Morris Signature Series spinner about 4 years ago and have since added two more. Love em. Smooth, durable (so far) and easy to handle. JM10 is the model I prefer. $99 full retail, $79 on sale.

[abkeenan]

Been thru quite a few Shimano spinning reels myself, along with a few Daiwas. Bought my first Johnny Morris Signature Series spinner about 4 years ago and have since added two more. Love em. Smooth, durable (so far) and easy to handle. JM10 is the model I prefer. $99 full retail, $79 on sale.

Thanks for the votes and opinions guys keepem' coming.

[Dutch]

I am part of the Shimano possee. I had other brands and after I bought Shimano I sold or gave away all of them. I now have at least 20 Shimano reels. I don't ever plan to buy a different brand.

[fishinSWMO]

Been thru quite a few Shimano spinning reels myself, along with a few Daiwas. Bought my first Johnny Morris Signature Series spinner about 4 years ago and have since added two more. Love em. Smooth, durable (so far) and easy to handle. JM10 is the model I prefer. $99 full retail, $79 on sale.

I also like the JM10, it's held up well with very little cleaning.

It gets abused and wet with canoe and kayak fishing.

[exiledguide]

I have had such good results with the Spirex and Saharah I have not needed any new reels in a number of reels both of them have smooth drags and don't break down. Thats just my experiance and I went to Shimano after thwo other beel companies spining reels broke down while I was fishing in NW Ontario and pullin' BIG Goggle eye out of the Big Piney. Both had the bail spring fail. I fish plastic worms and jigs with spining reels and when wading I fish wading I fish spinning reels but for most hard baits I use baitcasting so I can't comment on spinning reels for used for those lures.

[abkeenan]

Shimano with a commanding lead. Jeez. Guess I will have to reconsider my options.