New Reel, How much to spend?

[TrophyEyes]

I fish a lot, and really am a hardcore Walleye guy. I am looking for a new reel to put on a G. Loomis IMX 6'6" rod for lindy rigging. I am looking to spend between $50 and $150. Yes you read that correctly. I just cannot decide if I should go with a Plueger President or poney up and buy a Shimano Stradic or somewhere in between.

Here are the reels that I have been considering, please let me know your thoughts.

Shimano Stradic($159)

Shimano Saros ($129)

Plueger Supreme ($99)

Plueger President($59)

Guide Series Tournament ($50)

Penn AF ($119)

[rodmaker]

Hey there!!!! Sounds like you have the fever.

About 90 % of my fishing is for Eyes!!

If it were me, either the Shimano Stradic FI, Sustain. Shimano has one "mean" drag system. very smooth. The guys at Thorne Bros. keep saying there are no other reels that can match them. (gear system). I have Stradics for at least 10 years and not one problem with any of them.

Daiwa would be my 2nd choice.

Team Daiwa Advantage are nice. And so are the Exceler. Even the old SS Tournament reels are nice.

The Quantum Energy PTi are ok.

Another reel that is nice is the Penn AF. Tough to beat the drag system on Penns.

You could check out Thorne Bros sale coming up. They always give some type of break if you purchase two. See Pat or Matt.

Let me know what you end up with.

You owe it to yourself to purchase one of those reels for your IMX!!!

If you don't want to spend quite that much, look at the Cabela's Prodigy. I know of a few people who are very happy with these. The Symetre & Sahara would work also.

[Ray Esboldt]

I've used Shimano Symetres for years. Those reels have always treated me well, and I treat them very poorly. If you find the right deal, you might be able to afford two and stay under $150.

Check out All-American Reels. They are a site sponsor and have some very nice prices on the reels you mentioned and the Symetre.

[Team Otter]

If it's a Shimano you're after, you could get away with a Sedona or Sonora.

[MidCoast]

I like to spend at least 40

[Deitz Dittrich]

I'll put in my vote but keep in mind that I am on the shimano Prostaff so I am a bit biased.. If you do a bunch of casting it will make a difference, or if you are into using braids it will matter.. but the Saros and the Stradic are the exact same reel.. EXCEPT, the stradic has a worm gear. The spool goes up and down at different speeds and lays the line down in a much wider cross wrap, so casting should be better, and if you use briads it will not cut in..

If you do a lot of lindy rigging or that such.. save your moolah and go for the saros... Its an awesome reel!

[JohnMickish]

Stradic all the way. If you do your shopping you can find last years Stradic tied to a Shimano rod for under $130.

[TrophyEyes]

MNfish, I saw that at one retailer. How does last years model compare to this years Stradic or the Saros?

[ripstick]

After selling that stuff for 7 years I came to 1 idea. You can have a sales person show you a real with 10 ball bearings and later come to find out its no better than 4. Best thing I can tell you is go to a store where they have your rod or 1 like. Find a real you like and see how it fits the rod for balance. I have had $50 and $100. Way things are now save a couple bucks and buy some tackle to go with it. Good luck.

[rodmaker]

You are right on that one. More bearings does not mean better.

Trophy Eyes, go to Thorne Bros with the dod and have them put on a Symmetre, stradic, and a daiwa. See what feels the best to you.

With any of these reels, you can't go wrong.

[RiverBassGuy]

The new daiwa TD Advantage ($140) spinning reel is impressively smooth. I own 3 stradics and they have been fantastic reels, but I think that I am a Daiwa convert. The Tierra ($120) is arguably a better reel than the stradic, IMO, for less money. When the old white stradics went on sale they were UNBEATABLE for the price. I should've bought 10.

[JohnMickish]

I don't know what the difference is but I picked up two and would have gone back for more but the wife busted me. I have a been using Sahara's for years and can't wait to get these new Stradics on the water. I might run back up to the store this weekend and see if I can sneek another one out the door.

[Northlander]

I have a couple Okuma Diablo's that Im very happy with for the money. I got them from Bill and Al at Midwest Rod and Reel who are sponsors here. For the money a better buy than Shimano.

Dont get me wrong I used to only buy Shimanos but found there are many other good spinning reels out there and for less $.

I wont spend any more than about $80 on a spinning reel. I find no need. Heck I have $60 reels that are still as good as the day I got them and I dont take reels apart to clean/lube them.

Like Ripstick said find a rod or bring yours then find a reel you like and see how it balances out on your rod. A cheaper well balanced outfit is far better than expensive one that may not be. Dont get stuck on 1 brand.

Okuma, Shimano, Abu, Flueger, Diawa and a few others all make good spinning reels. Like said before after about 6 BB you dont get much more for the $ usually. Make sure it has a good bail, good liner roller and bearing and a drag that plays smooth and can be tightened down in many intervals. Oh and I also like the back reel/anti reverse switch to be on the back but thats just what I find easier. Its not a thing that causes me not to buy a reel but I look for it.

[Seabass77]

I am trying to decide between the Diawa exceler, Diawa Tierra, and Diawa/Cabelas Prodigy. I am leaning towards the prodigy as it is pretty much the same as the Tierra but goes for $99. You save $15.

[rodmaker]

They are all good reels. The Team Diawa Exceler ($139) is very nice.

I may give one of those a shot next season. See what feels best on the rod you will be using.

[Deitz Dittrich]

 Originally Posted By: TrophyEyes

MNfish, I saw that at one retailer. How does last years model compare to this years Stradic or the Saros?

I'm not MNFish, but I do know the answer...

To compare last years Stradic to this years Stradic/Saros. New gear system is now cold forged, and much stronger than before. New shielded bearing, so dirt can not get in it, new water proof drag, so when the reel is wet it still has the same consistant drag than it did dry. New spool system, longer casts, less line twist.

again, the only difference between the new stradic and the new saros is the new stradic has a worm gear.

[slipperybob]

Imagine that the Saros is the connection between the Symetre and the Stradic.

Jigging and cranking - Stradic

Lindy rig - Saros

There's a much better balance feel in the casting hand when it comes to a worm gear.

[hhguide]

I think the Quantum Energy PTi is the smoothest one out there its a great reel

[NCLaker]

I also agree with RipStick regarding putting the various reels on your rod and see which one feels the best for your taste.

If weight is an important determining factor then definitly consider the Pflueger Supreme. It weighs only 7.4 oz, 2+ onces lighter then the other reels you have listed. I think it is lighter because it uses a Magnesium frame (most other brands are 2x the cost for similar frame). It also has other high end components normally found in more expensive reels: sealed drag, shielded bearings, titanium line roller and spool lip. Great bang for the buck at only $99 IMHO ($89 at some stores).

[The_Lee]

I use a Plueger President with 8 lb. test Clear/Gold Berkley Vanish Transition fluorocarbon line. I have it on a 6'6 St. Croix Avid series spinning rod. I am very impressed with the the Plueger line of reels. I have one on my welleye , bass, and a Plueger Supreme reel on my 5 ft Ultralight rods I use for trout fishing. I highly recommend any Plueger reel, infact since using my set up trout and walleye set ups, my brother and one of my friends have made a switch over to a Plueger reel. Give the Plueger President a try, I know you will not be dissapointed.

[metrojoe]

I think the best bang for the buck would be the Guide Series Tournament reels either the 30 or 35. I own a couple and they are good solid reels.

[TrophyEyes]

I do have 3 Guide Series Tournament reels and love them. By the way the Pflueger President is the same reel as the GS Tournament, they are made by Pflueger. I use this IMX rod far more than any other rod I own and I feel like if I am going to spend any money on a reel it will be for this rod. The new problem I am facing is that I looked through all my reels and have noticed I want to upgrade a few more and so does my dad. Here is my new question: If the two of us were going to go into Gander Mountain, Thorne Bros, or where ever and were going to buy 5 or 6 reels, ranging from Stradics, Saros, and Pflueger Supremes do you think they would cut us a deal? My dad is also getting a Custom rod from Thorne Bros. so I may have a little more negotiating power there.

I also have to think that because I am so amped up for the season, I am more willing now to spend the money than if we are in the middle of the season. I know the GS Tournament reels can handle the load, as I do have hundreds of fish on them and even one 14# walleye. I do have confidence in the GS Tournament reels, but as you always know, the grass looks greener on the other side. Plus it is really fun to have something new.

[NCLaker]

Sounds like a fun shopping trip. I have spent way too much money on fishing stuff the past couple years. From my personal experience, here is my $.02 on the various stores.

When possible, I like to go to the local bait shops - like to give them my business instead of the big box stores. They are more likely to deal if they can afford to. Selection may be limited, but many will order what you want but may take a few days to get in.

Thorn Bros - would likely work with you on a discount (from personal experience) Good people there, they deserve the business.

Joe's - If you buy a combo, they will put line on your real & spare spool for free (includes Trilene mono/floro, fireline, power pro, etc) - can amount to a lot in savings. Typically great service. If you buy all those reels, they may work with you on the line part, even thow your not buying combos.

Sportsman Warehouse - typically some of the best prices around, especially on Pfluegers (e.g. Supreme for $89 vs $99). Shimano's are standard everywhere unless part of package or clearance. They spool reel with mono/pline for free with purchase.

Gander - the only time I have had luck with deals is when they are price matching or selling a demo unit. Except for Forest Lake, I am usually FRUSTRATED with the availablity/quality of their customer service (Woodbury is probably the worst from my experience, not impressed with Blaine either).

Have fun!

[Ebiz]

I bought two middle of the road rods and reels last year at Gander in Blaine. Total came to around $220, told the clerk I was looking to stay under $200 and asked if there was a discount if I bought it all today. He gave me 10% off and put line on all four spools. It pays to ask.

[JP Z]

I am both a Shimano and Pflueger guy. Used to only use Stradics and loved them. Now I have been using Pflueger either Medalist's or Supremes.........get one of those