Spinning reels

[Clarksville snit]

What is the best spinning reel (bass fishing) for the money under $200?

 

[brutally honest]

I like Daiwa, but Shimano is great, too.

I have two Daiwa Fuegos that are at least fifteen years old and still buttery smooth.

 

[NCHillbilly]

Shimano.

 

[pbradley]

My favorite is the Shimano Sahara.

If I ever spend $200 on a spinning reel (not likely) I'd like to try the Stradic.

 

[little rascal]

29.99 Shimanos are better than most other reels out there. Just saying.

 

[Dustin Pate]

I use Shimano and Daiwa and both are well above other brands.

 

[notnksnemor]

Pflueger Presidents are a pretty good reel for the money.

 

[hopper]

Pflueger Presidents are a pretty good reel for the money.

Agree. I have 4 or 5 myself. A couple going on over 4yrs

 

[Ruger#3]

Pflueger President and Shimamo are good quality for the money.

 

[ryork]

I picked up a couple Shimano Sadonas earlier this year for $69 and really like them. Like the Pfleugers too. I’ve got a couple of Mitchell reels that I’ve had for close to half my life (soon be 54). Don’t make em like that anymore.

 

[BeerThirty]

My favorite is the Shimano Sahara.

If I ever spend $200 on a spinning reel (not likely) I'd like to try the Stradic.

I bought a Stradic Ci4 couple years ago. Smoothest reel I ever bought. Only complaint is it seems to be a bit smaller than comparable reels, but not a major issue.

 

[Clarksville snit]

Pflueger Presidents are a pretty good reel for the money.

I’ve got a President I’ve used for at least 10 years.

 

[Clarksville snit]

I picked up a couple Shimano Sadonas earlier this year for $69 and really like them. Like the Pfleugers too. I’ve got a couple of Mitchell reels that I’ve had for close to half my life (soon be 54). Don’t make em like that anymore.

I’ve got a Mitchell 300 that I bought with a rod as a combo from Wal Mart over 25 years ago for less than $50. Not fancy but still works as good as the day I bought it.

 

[BeerThirty]

I’ve got a President I’ve used for at least 10 years.

I've had several presidents. They are solid entry-level reels. Probably the only reel that I feel competes with entry-level shimanos.

 

[Ajohnson0587]

This is like "which truck brand is best", answers are going to be all over the place. My advice is, pick on based on the specs you want, try something new, you might like it. I've got a little bit of everything on the deck of my boat, Lews, Abu Garcia, Shimano, Daiwa, and a few others. Happy with all, but some hold a higher priority then others.

 

[crackerdave]

Can't go wrong with a Shimano.I really like my Baitrunner.
Penn reels were good before they were made in China,especially for saltwater.

 

[Redbow]

Shimano reels are great. So are the old Penn reels make in the USA and the Mitchell 300 reels old ones. Daiwa I have several good reels. Had a couple Pfleugers until I wore them out good reels also. But I think the best small reels I have ever owned were the D-A-M Quick reels made in Germany. I bought two when I got out of the Army in '69 one of them still works fine.

If I ever pay 200 bucks for a rod and reel I hope someone kicks my bottom real good, probably my Wife. But to each his own.

 

[Jdmb123]

I prefer the stradics

 

[pbradley]

One additional comment: if you're buying the reel in person, hold the reel by the seat and give the handle a good spin, looking for excessive rotor wobble. That's one reason I like the Shimano Sahara so much: minimal wobble.

A balanced reel fishes better and feels better.

 

[sbroadwell]

Shimano reels are great. So are the old Penn reels make in the USA and the Mitchell 300 reels old ones. Daiwa I have several good reels. Had a couple Pfleugers until I wore them out good reels also. But I think the best small reels I have ever owned were the D-A-M Quick reels made in Germany. I bought two when I got out of the Army in '69 one of them still works fine.

If I ever pay 200 bucks for a rod and reel I hope someone kicks my bottom real good, probably my Wife. But to each his own.

I second that regarding the Quick reel. I've got a 110, the UL one, that I got in 1969. Still works great.