Spinning Reel Favorites?

[dan61psu]

Looking to replace a few spinning reels this offseason, so I wanted to see if anyone out there has any favorite tried-and-true brands/models that don't run 200 bucks a pop.

Looking in the $80-125 range, or thereabouts.  Primary use is flipping docks and grass with "finesse" plastics, drop shotting, shaky heads, etc.

Any suggestions welcome...

[Xm Sean]

I use the Shimano Sedona for my dock flippin and pitchin.. It is just under $50 so it is inexpensive and cheap to replace if you need to.. I get the 1000FD size to keep the weight down on my rig and that size reel allows me to spool without using any backing on the reel. I put 10lb Pline cx on it and holds like 50 yards of line but I back it off just a bit because I replace my line every TX and never use that much even if I break off several times.. You could even go to the 500FD model for an even smaller profile but you do lose almost 1/2 of your Drag Power by doing that.

http://fish.shimano.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/index/products/reels/spinning/Sedona_FB.html

[Xm Sean]

BTW... I have been using this reel the past 2 years and is holding up real well

[fishinjim]

In that price range, Id look for a 2500 Daiwa Tierra.
They have a great rep.

[Wishing2BFishing]

Shimano Symetre.  Great reel.  Good price.  Extremely durable.

[Wishing2BFishing]

Symetre is $99.99 at Tackle Warehouse.

[Xm Sean]

In that price range, Id look for a 2500 Daiwa Tierra.
They have a great rep.

Do they even make this reel anymore?

[bfitch]

i think you can get a quantum kinect for 100. i have a couple of the old quantum catalysts and i love them. dont think they make them anymore, but you might still be able to find some left overs. thats what i bought. paid 60 a reel. i have shimanos too but they arent really holding up. i have 2 saharas that are falling apart and my symetre is still working but the fake plastic accents are falling off.

[fishinjim]

In that price range, Id look for a 2500 Daiwa Tierra.
They have a great rep.

Do they even make this reel anymore?

No, but they pop up on ebay frequently.
I think overstock bait has them in stock.

[fishinjim]

My bad,
overstock only has the 3000 size.

[bassboogieman]

Best bang for the buck is a Pflueger Supreme (silver one).  Magnesium frame very light weight, good drags.  I've been using six of them three years now with no issues.  You can still find the 2011 models under $90 (NIB), that's a nice savings from their $129 original list.  For finesse I like the 8030 size, skipping docks I move up to the 8035 for the larger spool.  The Pflueger President is a very good reel for around $60 and I used them for years before moving up to the Supremes - but for $30 it's well worth it to move up to a Supreme.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pflueger-Supreme-8030-MG-Spinning-Reel-/390342506729?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5ae239f8e9

[Eli]

glad to see this is something we all agree on...


I like the Shimanos...

[WMFisher]

I'm partial to Shimano for spinning reels.  Have Sedona, Sahara, Symetre models. 

[Xm Sean]

skipping docks I move up to the 8035 for the larger spool.

What is your reasoning for this? How far are you skipping? ;D

[bassboogieman]

Sean, I think the line just comes off the larger spool a little better, the drag is a little heavier and it better balances my rod.  Actually the --35 size is my "standard" reel for bass, but I step down to the --30 for finesse just to save a little weight, it's not much but I want my finesse combos as light as possible and with the Pflueger size code the --30 reels are pretty small.  I am thinking of trying one of the Arbor reels with the narrow spool, may be even better for skipping, I don't know for sure as I've never used one.