Spinning Reels? What Do You Like

[moguy1973]

The Lew's bait casters are nice reels. Really smooth.

[Feathers and Fins]

Only thing I can add is play with many reels, read many reviews and then buy a Shimano.

[J-Doc]

Only thing I can add is play with many reels, read many reviews and then buy a Shimano.

Lol!!!

That's pretty accurate too. I haven't seen any Lews spinng reels so I cannot say anything about them. The baitcasters seem a bit over priced to me.

You can get a quality Shimano for $30-120. Depends on what you will use it for and how often. Occassional light duty, go for the $40-50 range. Heavier duty and more frequent use, go for the higher end. Either will make you happy.

[npierceuark]

Just picked up a Lews baitcaster and really like it speed spool somethin somethin. For spinners I have owned a handful of mitchells and love them, I don't baby my reels with all the canoeing and wading I do so I have never splurged and went over $50 on a reel knowing that they will be in sand, mud, dirt or at the bottom of a river sooner than later. They have all lasted over 5+ years and still going strong. I throw everything from 25lb braid to 4lb mono on them and they handle it all with ease. I also have an ancient Penn that I got from my dad, that thing is 15+ years old and has held up real well

[Gavin]

Pflueger or Abu. Never a problem. Can't say the same about the other spinning reel brands.

[REDSOXWSCHAMP]

the new mitchell 308 is pretty sweet, and the okuma's aren't bad either

[Stump bumper]

I like the Mitchell 308 also, it's a tuff reel, good price and you don't have to close the bail with your hand and all the other tips wimpier reels require to keep them going. I own some Shimanos that cost more and might cast better sometimes but just not as heavy duty as the 308s.

I like reels that conform to me not to spend more money on something I have to conform to.

Now if you are talking 6lb test you will find a shimano in my hand but if you see me with a spinning reel with 40lb braid it will be a Mitchell.

[SR4]

I have several Lews baitcasters and they've worked flawless for 3 years. Best reels I've ever owned. Spinning reels are shimano saharas, I've had them for a few years and I'm happy with them also.

[marcusearlt]

My top 3 would be Shimano Symmetre, Shimano Sahara, and and Abu Cardinal. I have these reels from 1000 to 4000 and every one of them is 4+ years old. In that time they have been put through some serious abuse, especially that little Cardinal. I use it for trout fishing and canoeing mostly and when I get snagged in fast water that drag just sings while I get the motor fired back up or paddle back up river to free the lure. I've done that literally probably a hundred times and that reel keeps on ticking. If I could afford it I would go Symmetre on everything though. Shimano's are geared pretty high, usually around 6:1, whereas the Pflueger President and Cardinal comes in at 5.2:1, so I like that extra line pick up ability.

[marknsaw]

Pflueger, Mitchell, and now, since I've had one awhile... Okuma. You shouldn't go wrong with any of these. Just match the reel for your presentation and you shouldn't be disappointed.