What is a good dependable spinning reel

[Gavin]

Dont have The KVD model. Accurists where on sale, and have performed well. Definetely lighter and smoother than a Plueger. Hope they last, but it's always a crap shoot with spinning reels. Some last, some don't. Baitcasters are more reliable.

[Rwren]

If you want to consider a serious upgrade from the President or Accurists, I have an extra, "new in the box,"  Pfleugar Supreme XT 30 I will sell for $95.  I live in Bentonville.  If you need me to ship it, add $5.

[tho1mas]

Pflueger President - check on E-Bay for a better price. I used Mitchel 308's for 30+ years but I think Pfluegers are better.

Anyone want to buy 2 or 3 308's?

[Pat Magee]

I can't say anything bad about my Stradic FJ.  I have had mine for over 6 years and I have never had a problem with it other then the paint job wearing off.  I even had the Stradic take a swim in the Meramac and after a quick dry and lube, it worked just as good as before.  They are pricey little reels but mine has been bombproof.  I am even adding the new Stradic FK to my arsenal this year.

 

 

 

[Smallieguy87]

I have the new stradic FK and it's great. It's supposed to have a more sealed design to help keep water out but doesn't feature the reverse/anti reverse switch so you may or may not like that but it does help seal the reel. A cheaper option is the diawa lexa you can grab them cheap on ebay. I've had several and have dunked them a few times and they still operate 100%. Some one mentioned the quantum energy which is another good one but I'd also say the smoke is a great reel.

[Smallieguy87]

Also wanted to menation that I have last year's stradic FJ and have waded with it several times and no issues so far. In my opinion the CI4 just isn't work the extra cash over an FJ and FK and thats coming from someone who's owned a CI4. I just don't care for the carbon body. I prefer the heavier but smoother feeling aluminum reels. 

[DownStream]

Thanks for the feedback fellas. I'm not sure if I'm ready to spend the extra $100 on the stradic just yet, even though I'd like to. As far as the pflueger president, I've heard they are junk and I've heard they are great, so a little hesitant to pull the trigger on that. Still open to other options.

[TroutRinger]

 

Thanks for the feedback fellas. I'm not sure if I'm ready to spend the extra $100 on the stradic just yet, even though I'd like to. As far as the pflueger president, I've heard they are junk and I've heard they are great, so a little hesitant to pull the trigger on that. Still open to other options.

Presidents are all I use. I have had Mitchell's, Shimanos, and Quantums in similar price ranges and the Pfluegers gave outlasted all of them and then some. 

[Al Agnew]

No way I'd want a reel that you couldn't turn off the anti-reverse. I keep my anti-reverse off all the time until I am fully ready to land a fish and I'm sure the fish is played out (if it's a big one). I trust being able to backreel when playing a fish a lot more than depending solely on the drag with spinning reels.

Also, one thing I always look for in a spinning reel is a large arbor spool. Reels with large arbor spools cast better, the line doesn't coil as much and retain as much memory, and line twist is somewhat less of a problem. Just something to keep in mind.

Another thing to keep in mind...you might want to make sure the reel fits your hand. I prefer to shop. for spinning reels "in person", and I want to take them out of the box and put them on a rod and hold them in my hand. I've had reels that didn't feel comfortable between my fingers because the stem was too wide or the wrong shape, and I've had reels that weren't all that easy to reach the line with my index finger.

[Smallieguy87]

 

No way I'd want a reel that you couldn't turn off the anti-reverse. I keep my anti-reverse off all the time until I am fully ready to land a fish and I'm sure the fish is played out (if it's a big one). I trust being able to backreel when playing a fish a lot more than depending solely on the drag with spinning reels.

Also, one thing I always look for in a spinning reel is a large arbor spool. Reels with large arbor spools cast better, the line doesn't coil as much and retain as much memory, and line twist is somewhat less of a problem. Just something to keep in mind.

Another thing to keep in mind...you might want to make sure the reel fits your hand. I prefer to shop. for spinning reels "in person", and I want to take them out of the box and put them on a rod and hold them in my hand. I've had reels that didn't feel comfortable between my fingers because the stem was too wide or the wrong shape, and I've had reels that weren't all that easy to reach the line with my index finger.

I was unsure of the lack of anti reverse switch as well. Just caught a few fish with it today. Nothing big so I can't say if it will make a difference. I trust my drag system more then the switch though so different modes of thinking. You're 100% on finding one that fits your hand. A lot of people had problems with the Shimano symetre due to the bail actually hitting there fingers on retriever and it was due to the odd angle of the neck where it meets the reel seat.