What is a good dependable spinning reel

[C&R]

Last year I bought a couple of $80 shimano sahara spinning reels thinking I was buying a good quality reel for my creek fishing. They worked perfect for about a month. Then I noticed with a little moisture on them from normal use, the reeling became rough and difficult . It did not take long on the internet to find countless articles describing the same problem. I am sure Shimano will repair them, but I am not sure if they will correct the problem. Looking for some suggestions on some reels under a $100 that are holding up for you guys. Anyone know anything about the pflueger President ($60) ??

Thanks

[MOPanfisher]

I have only had one Shimano spinning reel that was worth buying a second one of. That was a Stradic, that said the price of them now is more than they are worth. The Pfleuger Presidents are probably the best bang for the buck going.

[rFisherk]

I've only been testing it for a year, but a Johnny Morris Signature reel from Bass Pro is as good as any spinning reel I've used so far. It is extremely smooth and looks like it will last years.

[drew03cmc]

I am using a Lew's SG300 right now and it has worked well all year.

[jtram]

Presidents are by far the best reel for the money, I haven't ever heard or had a problem with mine.

[ollie]

The good ol' Shimbindo reels! I am on an Okama right now. Use to have a Daiwa that I loved, but the bail spring kept messing up. Like this one so far.

[Al Agnew]

The old Shimano problem rears its ugly head again. I owned a Symmetre, a Sahara, and a Stradic...and the Sahara and Stradic had that problem. Lots of Shimano enthusiasts swear it doesn't exist, or at least doesn't exist anymore. But apparently it still does. No way I'd buy a Shimano spinning reel; why take the chance?

I had a Johnny Morris reel like rFisherk mentioned...probably about the best spinning reel I ever owned until the housing cracked when I dropped it on concrete.

Probably can't go wrong with it, or with the others mentioned here. I have an Okuma but the reel stem is too thick for my smallish hand, and hurts in the gap between my fingers after a while. It's heavy, too. You oughta be able to get yourself a good spinning reel for $70-100. Just stay away from the Shimbindos.

[C&R]

Wow, can't believe we r slamming shimano products, but that is the way I feel too,,,,,,,,unless u want to pay wayyyyyyyyy to much $$$$ for a creek reel. Hey Al, what model in the okuma and Johnny Morris series do u like?

[Quillback]

There's a bunch of different Okuma model spinning reels on sale in Cabelas Bargain Cave. Never owned an Okuma so I could not recommend a model.

They have a Cabelas Prodigy on sale there now also, it's a Daiwa that's sold under Cabelas name. I don't know what Daiwa model it compares to, but with a little research you could find out I'm sure.

[Terrierman]

Lew's speed spin is a good reel for the money. So is Pflueger President. Pflueger Patriach is lightest and smoothest freshwater reel I have ever had in my hands. Never had a Steeze or any of the really expensive reels. Do have a Daiwa Ballistic that's at the same price point as the Patriarch and while they are both really nice really smooth reels with good drags, the Patriach is litghter. Okuma Trio is a little heavier, than either the Ballistic or Patriarch with great drag and less expensive than Patriarch or Ballistic.