best reel option?

[Dahitman44]

I am building a custom rod in a class and I am wonderting what kind of reel everyone likes for rigging with a spinning rod.

I am building a seven footer to get away from the boat a little more.

Any thoughts to reel and cost?

Thanks

Hitman

[NCLaker]

Lots of choices, it would help to know your price range.

For good quality value, I like Pfluegers. The new Shimano reels are very nice, but cost you more for some of the reels with the higher end features.

[Deitz Dittrich]

baitcaster or spinning, what lb line do you plan to use?

[T.S128]

with reels you get what you pay for. as stated above Pfluegers have a good rep. i don't own one myself but am considerin it soon. I mostly use shimanos and abu garcias. look for one with a big enough spool that can hold enough line for what you want to be doin with it.

[wildcatcreek]

I too use Abu Garcia and Shimano. I also have a very old Garcia Mitchell, which is my favorite. I've had it for 10 years, but it's been in the family much longer than that.

[Daze Off]

I suggest the Pfluegers too - the President can be had for around $60 or so and the Supreme will set you back around a buck or so. Both fine reels but I like the Supreme's retrieve ratio which is about the same as a baitcaster.

[Muddog]

Pfluegers President, Best reel for the money.

[riverrat56]

Pfluger Maxx XT is as also a nice reel for about $45

[Dahitman44]

I am making a spinning style pole --

used a $100 cardinal last year, but the ball berings went to heck in less than a season.

[prov1900]

Saros is pretty nice, but I think you can pick up a Sahara for half. All Shimano reels over 50 bucks seem pretty smooth and they last forever.

[rodmaker]

Shimano Stradic, no doubt

[Raider4ever]

Shimano spinning reels. You cannot go wrong. Let's see, I have two of the Mark 1's, one Mark 2, one of the Mark 3's. All of those are at least 30 years old now and they are still on rods that are in the boat (except the Mark 3. It's used for shore casting).

The starters right now are: a Sedona (12-15 yrs old), two Sahara's (one 12 years old, the other I got last year), and a Symetre (5-7 years old). Maintenance is a breeze.

Major failures have been non-existent on mine (knock wood). The only issues I have are with the Marks and the Quick-Fire mechanism. Once in a while the line loops around the trigger.

Oh yeah, I have an Aero Sidestab too (another 20+ year old reel). That one is in the reserve box. But it is oiled and cleaned every year. The reserve box goes on every trip in case I break something (haven't needed one yet for spinning).

I suppose though, most any of the big-name reels will last forever if you clean them once or twice a year, change the line every year, and store them with the drag completely loosened over the winter.

Just my $0.02

Paul

[PerchJerker]

I'm a big fan of Shimano reels and they have a reel for any price you want to spend.

I've also been happy with Quantum, Pflueger, and Cardinal reels.

[Slip-bob]

I am a fan of the Stradics as well. They are light and pretty much bulletproof. Very smooth and the drag is awesome.

[TrophyEyes]

If you have the money go with Shimano. I have Pfluegers and Shimanos and I would say they are both great, but my Shimano's have lasted as long as 15 years.

[Seabass77]

I will disagree with the group and tell you to go with Diawa. For $150 you get a great drag and no plastic parts with the Team Diawa Advantage. The Tierra is pretty great too.

[Dave D]

I will second the Diawa reels. I'd personally go with the Cabela's Prodigy(made by Diawa). This a high quality reel at a lower price than the comparable Diawa model. $100 for a quality reel is hard to beat!

[Northlander]

Tons of good reals out there in the $50-$80 range. Really no need to go more expensive on a spinning real in my opinion.

Shimano Saharas are great reels for the bang and the New Sedonas are awesome. NO need to go any more expensive than that. Shimano also tends to be a bit spendy for what ya get so look at other brands. Even some of the upper line Gander reels have treated me well. They run them on sale quite often. Okumas are a good reel for the price.