I think the whole point of this was lost in the scrum.
Moby, I've sold fishing supplies at a fishing store for two years (five years ago) and have been fishing my whole life. Here is a list of spinning reels to look at and why.
Under $20: Quantum Optix (good for light to ultra light tackle, ie trout and panfish) It's cheap and the drag isn't that great, but who needs a 'great' drag pulling around ten inch trout. I've caught an exorbitant amount of smallmouths on my 15 and 20 series and as of yet it hasn't locked up on me.
20-$40: Shimano series (used to be Symmettre and Sahara models, it sounds like Colby could answer this question) Solid drags for the cost and smooth long-lasting operation. (Pfluegger has it's place here and so does the Mitchell 300 series)
40-$70: Shimano takes it here again. Slightly better everything and a proven choice in the north west. I'm sure Colby knows the model names here. (I use Abu Garcias)
70-150: Quantum, don't believe me ask KVD and many guides here in the north west.
(Don't overlook Pflueger's and of course the high end Shimano's. Cabela's has some really nice reels in this price range as well.)
Over $150: I think you're getting what you pay for and any where you look from Daiwa to Penn to US Reels you will get a solid reel.
My two cents and it wasn't meant to be confrontational, just informative.
Personally I've used Abu Garcia, for the most part for 13 years. I like them because they are under $100 and I get about five to ten years of use depending on my abusiveness. I've got one that I've had the entire 13 years and except for the pieces I lost during annual lubing it still works as it was intended. It's landed pike, bass, trout, catfish, walleye, fresh water drum, etc etc (no steelhead or salmon) because they will smoke it, I'm almost certain. I just couldn't do that to the old girl, she's been through a lot. The point is, buy a reel and test it.
Lastly,
Plueger, shimano and high end quantums have very smooth bail mechanics. Best way to know for sure is to test them. If they won't let you test it at the store go somewhere else. Good sales men/women put the product in your hands. One should never use the reeling force to flip the bail; not only does it induce line coils it can cause bail failure from constant leverage induced friction. Simply flip the bail with your finger after the cast. You'll increase the life of your reel.
My last post on OFF. Thx everyone for the info. I've tried to assist people but never got any good response to it so....to all that post informative comments; thank you.
Jeff
My last post on OFF. Thx everyone for the info. I've tried to assist people but never got any good response to it so....to all that post informative comments; thank you.
Jeff
My last post on OFF. Thx everyone for the info. I've tried to assist people but never got any good response to it so....to all that post informative comments; thank you.
Jeff
Where the hell did that comment come from?
the topic has been answered to the point of being beat to death.... arguing is all thats left dad, and btw.. I agreed with the origanal wording-
oops....read into that completely the wrong way. Yikes........!!!!!!!!! I am sooo sorry.
One more comment due to my embarassment. A soap box moment.
I fear that society is becoming erovocably cinical due to internet blogs and posts on any number of websites. In person most people wouldn't ever speak to another human being this way. It's sad really, that a person would have to re-read a post so they could find the under-riding, unapologetic negativism behind the words. Every comment on Yahoo and Consumer reports simply degrades the one before it. The corruption occurs when it reaches posts like this. Yes, I read into the comment above and saw something as a personal attack (I apologize and I don't exactly know what I saw, even after re-reading it). But it does outline a problem: Why did I have to look for a negative slant? Read any post above, from pages one through four and you'll see nothing but personal attacks and negative attitudes. I believe this forum was created to gain knowledge, assist the unassisted, pass on information and above all celebrate the outdoors. Please keep it that way.
Again my apologies,
Jeff
I hope that I didn't say something that was mis-understood. I thought CFishrun's post was fantastic and a real labor of kindness to me, and thought I made that clear. I even printed it out to use as a "go by" when I go to do my hands on checking in the next few days. So if I need to clarify, I really appreciated his comments because they were thorough yet concise, objective yet fused with his own practical experience.
Maybe there are things I dont fully get yet here since I am not accustomed to this type of public chat. Thanks all again, Marie
Awwww...group hug.....c'mon everybody.....:lol:
Thar be biggun Bass & crappie in Alamo Lake,AZ. Big Striped Bass in Lake Havasu & the CO River.b
:lol::lol::lol: