Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Blue_Fox on September 02, 2012, 03:05:26 PM
-
I've had little luck with quality spinning gear. I've even used Shimano Symetre and Spirex reels which are both Made in Japan which have cheap plastic gears inside. Both of the Shimano reels have a heavy sluggish feel to it - even when they were brand new fresh out of the box.
Who makes the best quality spinning gear with solid long term reliability?
-
For my ultralight set up I'm using an abu garcia 300i series spinning reel. Inexpensive, light weight and has held up great for 3 years so far. Used it from everything from trout to pinks.
-
I've always wanted to buy Abu Garicia spinning reels. They had the best TV commercials featuring exotic tropical locations back in the 1980's and 1990's. I've first seen their spinning reels sold at Wal-Mart - Abu Garcia Cardinal MAX - at around 20 years ago at Lougheed Mall in Burnaby.
Back then, I was more interested in baitcasting reels, and I ended buying an Abu Garcia Ambassadeur instead, which has been solid as a rock.
-
Abu Garcia produced a Cardinal series of reels for the US market which went by the name brand of Zebco:
http://www.reelstown.com/pag_mod_abu/abu_greenbody.htm
There's tons of them on eBay and they can be had for cheap. They are bomb proof spinning reels and come in four sizes (3, 4, 6 and 7). The 3 is for small systems and lakes, the 4 is a great overall trout/bass/ light salmon reel. The 6 and the 7 are big salmon/steelhead reels suitable for our fall salmon fishing.
Do yourself a favour and get a couple of those. Spare parts are available everywhere, but you'd hardly need them if you give the reels proper maintenance. I sold the surplus I had and only got one size 7 reel left that I could let go for 50 bucks. If you want smaller models, eBay is your friend. Mind you, these are 30-40 year old reels, but they still command respect in the fishing community and are highly sought after by collectors when they are in mint shape.
Some sample auctions ongoing on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Zebco-Cardinal-3-spinning-reel-Made-in-Sweden-912007-/120975842378?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2ab8dc4a#ht_5545wt_1140
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Zebco-Cardinal-4-Spinning-Reel-/380465338447?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item589580584f#ht_500wt_1289
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ZEBCO-ABU-CARDINAL-6-Spinning-Reel-with-extra-spool-and-instruction-manual-/280955960776?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item416a47bdc8#ht_500wt_1289
If you are lucky, you can end up scoring an excellent Zebco Cardinal for around 40 bucks plus shipping give or take a few dollars. Here's a list of recent sales from ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=Zebco+cardinal+reel&_in_kw=1&_ex_kw=&_sacat=0&_okw=&_oexkw=&_adv=1&LH_Complete=1&_udlo=&_udhi=&_samilow=&_samihi=&_sadis=200&_fpos=&_fsct=&LH_SALE_CURRENCY=0&_sop=12&_dmd=1&_ipg=50
Those are the spinning reels you want if you are looking for a work horse that will not let you down. They simply don't make them like that anymore - in any price range.
-
I like my shimano stradic 2500FI
-
My 2cents-if you want to talk bomb proof spinning reels then Dam Quick. My dad used one buzz bombing in the salt for years still going. I know families that have fished the Bella colla for 20 years of spring fishing seasons and still going. Personally for smaller fish - tributary chum and coho I swear by quantum anything in the PT series. My preference is size 20 - perfect for coho with a really smooth drag system. Reels can be had for under 100$ whenever they put out a new version though cabalas or any other big outlet. In smaller trout sizes browning makes a nice reel also - with technology improving in leaps and bounds it is definitely having a trickle own effect and cheaper reels are increasing the number of ball bearings and other higher end features usually found only in higher end reels even up until 5-6 years ago.
-
LOVE my Penn Fierce reel. Buddy equally loves his Penn Battle. IMO best reel for the money that I've found so far!
Has landed me many big steelhead, some chinook, lotsa bull trout/bows/cutties, and well over a 100 coho already and still going strong.
They are also a saltwater reel with sealed drag which is nice!
Will be using it off the beach a lot this year so I'll re-visit this thread and let ya know how they do!
Cheers,
Dan
-
My 2cents-if you want to talk bomb proof spinning reels then Dam Quick. My dad used one buzz bombing in the salt for years still going. I know families that have fished the Bella colla for 20 years of spring fishing seasons and still going. Personally for smaller fish - tributary chum and coho I swear by quantum anything in the PT series. My preference is size 20 - perfect for coho with a really smooth drag system. Reels can be had for under 100$ whenever they put out a new version though cabalas or any other big outlet. In smaller trout sizes browning makes a nice reel also - with technology improving in leaps and bounds it is definitely having a trickle own effect and cheaper reels are increasing the number of ball bearings and other higher end features usually found only in higher end reels even up until 5-6 years ago.
Have a couple Dam Quicks, German precision! Havent been sold in Canada for a number of yrs now. :P
-
I just saw pics of the D.A.M. Quick Finessa reel. The design sort of reminds me of the Shimano Spirex, but with only a single handle. Just by the pics, the D.A.M. Finessa reels have a very high quality finish to it. However, I don't plan to spend more than 100 dollars for a new spinning reel.
I've heard a lot about Penn reels through the decades, but where is a good place to buy it in the Lower Mainland?
-
I have a pflueger president that i really like. The drag is verrry smooth (no jerkiness when a fish runs) i hear they are not to good in salt water but it hasn failed me yet
-
Since earlier this year I've used a Pflueger Arbor (with braid) in the salt water and just love it. They're not easy to find, but well worth the price.
-
The most important thing I find with any reel is to NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER try to reel in while the fish is running on drag. It destroys the reels internals fast.
-
If you are not willing to spend more than $100, there's no quality stuff out there in the market!
I was going to suggest to you either the shimano "stella" or the daiwa "saltiga". I own both reels for years, done some heavy salt water overseas. Both reels are still solid like rocks!
The problem is they are both over $800US reels!
-
i really like my shimano symetre. Think it was about $90.
-
I really like my ryobi arctica, its smooth like butta
-
I remember oogling Mr. C,s reel everytime i seen it in his garage or when he was loading or unloading his stuff while on his way fishing.
The red drag button on the front would catch my eye like a shiny thing to a Crow.
Mr. C. had a couple different sizes of Dam Quicks and he could barely sneak home with them without me spotting his car pulling in and me running over for a report on his day.
Ahh the good ol days...... ;D
-
i really like my shimano symetre. Think it was about $90.
The cool thing about the Shimano Symetre is that you can use the Spirex double padded handle on the reel if you have the same model series size.
I actually sold my Symetre 4000RJ reel with a Spirex 4000 double padded handle to a user on this board for 40 bucks in pretty much mint conditon. That's how much I disliked the reel - LOL! The damn reel had very little feel to it - no soul and it had cheap components, except for the awesome long cast design spool and double padded handle which came from the Spirex.
-
My 2cents-if you want to talk bomb proof spinning reels then Dam Quick. My dad used one buzz bombing in the salt for years still going. I know families that have fished the Bella colla for 20 years of spring fishing seasons and still going. Personally for smaller fish - tributary chum and coho I swear by quantum anything in the PT series. My preference is size 20 - perfect for coho with a really smooth drag system. Reels can be had for under 100$ whenever they put out a new version though cabalas or any other big outlet. In smaller trout sizes browning makes a nice reel also - with technology improving in leaps and bounds it is definitely having a trickle own effect and cheaper reels are increasing the number of ball bearings and other higher end features usually found only in higher end reels even up until 5-6 years ago.
i agree. i use quantum reels of all sizes and types. They are solid.
-
I can't say who makes the best but I have been very pleased with my little Shimano Sedona 1500. Have had it for number of years (maybe 7?) and it has put in countless hours on the beach and has landed all manner of pinks, coho and a ton of cutthroat trout. Every so often it gets dunked in the brine, but a freshwater rinse and a little spray lube and it is as good as new.
Very happy with it
Still has a ways to go before it catches up with my venerable spinning rod. Have had that little baby for more than 26 years and it still does a yeoman's service on the beach. Who'd ever thunk I'd still be using a Daiwa product! :)
-
Aka shimano stella?
all depends on how much willing to spend?
-
My faves right now are my Shimano 10000 XTE-A baitrunners. The pair cost $340 incl postage from Sheffield (Billy Clarke Tackle) but they're smoother than my 4500's and I was even able to snag a third one in new condition off English ebay for $120 posted for my extremely jealous fishing partner. I usually start shopping by reading reviews and even though this model has now been out of production for 2 years I couldn't find a single unfavourable review of them. The foreign purchase came out cheaper than the equivalent in Shimano's new North American line and I think I got something nicer.
-
I picked up a Phlueger Medalist last year to mount on my HMX last year for Coho and Pink on the fraser and love this little reel, nice smooth drag, even landed a 15+ chum after a bit of arguing.
If I was going to buy another reel, I would probably buy a Shimano Stradic CI4, excellent little reel
One thing about spin casters that drived me nuts is the finish on them. I am not interested in paint, or moulded plastic, or plastic chrome. If I spend 2 or 3 hundred on a bait caster I get a nice clean alminum construction (ie Calcutta/Luna) But with spin casters they always seem to look like crap in a couple years of good use due to the material used
-
Zeebas (http://www.zeebaas.com/)
Van Staal (http://www.vanstaal.com/)
-
S
Zeebas (http://www.zeebaas.com/)
Van Staal (http://www.vanstaal.com/)
I knew about Van Staals but Zeebas was totaly new to me. For a grand they should be nice!
-
Zeebas (http://www.zeebaas.com/)
Van Staal (http://www.vanstaal.com/)
Only problem is the weight of them......and the cost, lol.............really i think they are more of a "status symbol" reel as in my eyes I can get a damn good reel for 2-3hundred TOPS that would more than likely last a lifetime that probably weighs close to half as much.....even if one had to buy 2 of em he would still be way ahead.......now thats still not saying that I wouldn't buy one as some people just like nice things...however I think I would probably only fish it a couple times and then it would more than likely just sit on display as I would be scared to fish it, lol.
-
My faves right now are my Shimano 10000 XTE-A baitrunners. The pair cost $370 incl postage from Sheffield (Billy Clarke Tackle) but they're smoother than my 4500's and I was even able to snag a third one in new condition off English ebay for $120 posted for my extremely jealous fishing partner. I usually start shopping by reading reviews and even though this model has now been out of production for 2 years I couldn't find a single unfavourable review of them. The foreign purchase came out cheaper than the equivalent in Shimano's new North American line and I think I got something nicer.
I tried spin fishing with my Shimano baitrunner 800GTE and it was just way too clunky with all the knobs and buttons and extra drags etc. also the spool is so big that any hint of wind just meant tons of tangles. well built reel though, in the right conditions perfect for fighting monster sized fish.
-
Zeebas and Van STal, Both good reels!! pricy too. As others have noticed, they are heavy reels. Don't know about the Zeebas, but the Van Stall you need to have a strong arm to crank those handle bars. I fished once with it on a boat for a full day out jigging. THe next thing i did is dropping by Shoppers for a Ben-gay. lol
-
--price... especially since the original poster was thinking about $100 for a reel.
--those heavy duty salt reels... I can see the value for a guide who wants to provide an experience for the guest... have equipment that is used every day in salt for larger fish.
--when competing for business quality equipment can mean the difference of working all the time vs only working when others are booked.
-
Ryobi, all Japanese parts and precision built, don't break the bank either.