What spinning reel do you guys recommend?

[Lund1700Angler]

I have a St. Croix Premier medium rod that I am looking to get a reel for. I am going to use this rod mainly for rigging walleyes as well as crappie. I want to try to spend between $50 and $100 for the reel. What brands and models do you guys recommend?

Thanks

[OnAFly]

I've got a couple Symetres and a Sahara that I like. Other than Shimanos, I've got a Pflueger Pres I like. Both brands make good stuff.

[Yellow Dog]

I love the Pflueger Arbor--wide spool and has a lot less memory! Check it out!

[anchor man]

I have a Sedona and Sahara and use them both for ice fishing, summer fishing, and rarely oil them as I should. They both are many years old and still rock solid, but for your price range the options go on and on.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

The new Shimano Sahara size 2500, $80.

[Larson15]

pflueger president

[Esox_Magnum]

Shimano Sedona or Symetery gets my vote.

[LMITOUT]

I have Shimano's on all my spinning rods and they've been fine for walleye.

[Duffman]

This is where LMITOUT and I can agree on something.

Shimanos on pretty much all my rods, every once in a while I'll stray, but I usually end up coming back for another Shimano.

[Dark Cloud]

I used to have mostly Shimanos but they have been overtaken by Pflueger Presidents the past few years.

Dont get me wrong, Shimano makes great reels, I love the couple stradics I have but I have been really happy with every Pflueger product Iv'e bought, fly reels to ice reels. And the president is as nice or nicer than reels costing much more.

Lund Angler - The "6730" would most likely be the size your looking for...

[FM_Mike]

I have always used Shimano reels but gave the Pflueger Predident a try last year and it is great. Have the 6730 and love it. May be smoother than than my Symetre and is $50 less. Just ordered a president 6730xt. The reviews have been good. I will let you all know what I think after some time on the water.

Mike

[My_Key]

I have both Shimano's and Pfleuger's and really can't say I prefer one over the other. They all work great

[blakeb]

check out the okuma epixor, very smooth quality reel

[tunrevir]

The older symetries and lower end Shimanos have a penchant for the atireverse to go out of them if you are fishing hard in heavy cover and or for larger fish. I have 3 that the anti reverse has gone out of. I bought 2 newer Symetries this past spring and so far they are holding up well. 50.00 can get you a pretty decent spinning reel and a hundred will get you into the Caddillacs of the spinning reels. Some things to think about: If you are a rigger and a jigger then the spool won't much matter to you if you are casting more frequently with jigs, cranks and slip bobbers then you will want a tapered spool versus the deep flat spools of a rigging and jigging spool. Look at the amount of bearings and what feels smooth for the price. Some manufacturers offer 8-10 bb versus 4-5+1. The Pflueger, Quantum and Okuma lines all offer decent reels in your price range. Me, I still fish mostly Shimano Stradics, Symetries everyday and have 2 Okumas for my ultralights. Look at the retrieve ratios for the apps you are going to use the reels for. Burning cranks along weed edges versus rigging that can be a big difference. Find the brand and the reel that best suits the fishing that you do primarily and you should be happy. One brands 120 dollar reel is anothers 75 so do some searching and comparisions and find the best reel to fit your style of fishing and the apps you will use it for. Bottom line is whatever brand of reel you choose has to suit you and the ways that you will be fishing with it.

Tunrevir~

[mnhunter17]

I got a Shimano Sedona 2500 last year and I really like it. I think it was also a "Best Buy" in the most recent Field and Stream.

[riverrat56]

I'll throw out another vote for the Pfleugger President. I've been very happy with the three that I own. Personally I don't like the President XT as much, mostly due to the rubber handle.

[KyleM.]

cabelas pro guide spinning reel 49.99 comes with incredible warranty and in my opinion worth far more have used the prestige reels in all sizes and like it better than my sedonas, and many others for the same price range.

if you want name brand. pflueger president as was before mentioned.

[whitebassman]

Got the shimano Stradic ci4 this year. $200 but real light. Spendy but couldn't resist. Should be nice on the devils lake etc trips where we fish from dawn to dusk and become very sore from catching white bass and eyes all day long.

[Raider4ever]

I still have, and fish with, Shimano Mark I, II, and III's. I also have a Aero Sidestab, a Sedona, two Saharas, and a Symetre. The only problem I have is the line loops over the end of the bail where the line rests on the Symetre. I have about six different brands of baitcasters but only one brand of spinning reel. I don't think you can go wrong with a Shimano Sedona 2500 as an all-purpose. I would also go for a Sahara and you would still be under budget.

[pushbutton]

ugly cast pushbutton reels! you can laugh...dont care....6.99 at closeout centers off season.....my brother has top of the line everything and while he is cussing and trying to clean up his backlashes i am fishing!!!

[no bait nate]

Shimano Sahara has been a great reel for me, i use it open water and through the ice. smooth drag and the bail is almost flawless. I have the 750 for my trout rod and ice fishing and a 2500 for my walleye/pike rod. I'd like to get about three more and put them on all my rods. I fished a President 1000 for many years on my trout/panfish rod but the bail seems to be worn out and not close tightly now. used to be a great reel though, but can't beat the Sahara for the price. only tough part is you only get one spool with them now so you have to call Shimano to get spares.

[Hory]

I have two Saharas...one on a pike rig with braided line and one on a walleye rig. Recently I just upgraded to a new second walleye rig. G-Loomis rod with the Pflueger President. I have to say the Pflueger seems to be made in a more quality way. However, both are good reels.

[BeezeHound]

Pfluegger President, tough to find that quality at that price.

[WaveWacker]

Pfluegger President again!

[Daze Off]

Make it three in a row for Pflueger Presidents - I have 3-4 and love them. I like the Supreme even better as it has a higher gear ratio but it is slightly above the cost range you asked for but worth it in my opinion.