Need a spinning reel

Gangly · 10-13-2009, 06:44 AM

looking to spend around 50 bux for a spinning reel. What are the best buys in that price range?

I know Chuck likes his spinning combo's so maybe he will chime in here.

buckhunter14 · 10-13-2009, 08:07 AM

Quantum has always proven well.

redgreen · 10-13-2009, 08:10 AM

Shimano has a massive assortment available from around $30.00 to $100.00's Depending on your needs, they should be able to accomodate you. I have 11 of them, and they are great.

Chuck7 · 10-13-2009, 02:12 PM

Gangly,
What kind of lures do you plan to fish with it?

How often?

What kind of fish??Bass or smaller bluegills?

You know I fish alot in the summer..just about everyday..none of Walmart's cheap reels { 25.- 50.00} are good for everyday...BUT if it's once a week...I'd suggest you get the Garcia 104 Cardinal model...decent gear ratio ..extra spool and mine is still working fine..I use it for all types of spinner baits...I bought 2 of them..I have one spool with Power Pro..for shiners and one with mono ..12 pound test.

I also use the 101 Garcia model for crappie and bluegill..

Again, a 50.00 reel is ok for the weekend warrior but not for the daily addicted fisherman..LOL

If you can add 25.00 and make it 75.00 Shimano Symetrical is a nice quality SMOOTH reel..

I have 3 Shimonos and 5 Garcias..I think for the money..Garcia Cardinal 104 is hard to beat..34.99 and they cast farther..{ -:

Gangly · 10-13-2009, 02:27 PM

I will be doing a lot of soft plastic fishing with it. Senko's, Shakey Heads, swimbaits, worms and creature baits. Will most likely have braided line with a flouro leader of approximately 12-18 inches. No crankbaits or top waters, just slow fishing in general.

Will be used for catching bass and crappie with a heavy emphasis on bass.

I had one already that I kept for friends to use, and I found myself using it more and more for specific purposes, and decided that it would be nice to have a decent one for myself that wouldnt get torn up by others. Until recently, I never cared for a spinning reel, but I now can see that they have obvious advantages when fishing certain ways.

Seeing how it will be used for soft plastics and creature baits, what rod style is recommended? I was planning on going with a medium action fast tip in the 6.5' to 7.0' range.

Chuck7 · 10-13-2009, 10:59 PM

"Seeing how it will be used for soft plastics and creature baits, what rod style is recommended? I was planning on going with a medium action fast tip in the 6.5' to 7.0' range. "

I like them because I can cast more accurate with them..PLUS no backlashes..{ -: 6 1/2 tp 7 is very good..I also have a couple of medium heavy 6 1/2 for worming/ jigging..If you are limited to WAlmart...Here are my suggestions if available..
Team Diawa..50.00
Lightning Rod..35.00

TIght lines,
C7

Gangly · 10-14-2009, 05:51 AM

thanks for the info Chuck

Gangly · 10-14-2009, 05:55 AM

this would be a "once a week" reel, if that. Sounds like the Garcia 104 Cardinal is a good fit for me, but I'll check out the Shimano Symetrical as well and see how it feels. Being in Houston, I have access to every sporting goods store you could imagine other than Dicks. Thanks again for the assistance.

Oneshot7 · 10-14-2009, 04:04 PM

I use Shimano almost exclusively so I might now be much help to your question. I have had some for over 8 years that I can still use and abuse daily, these reels are used by our charter clients almost every day, and they dont take it easy on them. Check out the Shimano Sedona while your at it, only like 60 or 70 bucks but it feels like the old stradic with a new name, top of the line stuff.

Chuck7 · 10-14-2009, 11:00 PM

Aaron,

Comparing the Shimano Symetric with the Cardinal 104...

for 40.00 more bucks the Shimano may be a tad smoother but the 104 has a longer spool which means longer cast..I also have 3 other Shimanos..which have all given me a little trouble..but I've gotten parts free from the Shimno company..I've yet to have any problems with Garcia104..Make sure when you lift up the Garcia 104 package in the store ..that you spin the reel..some reels have sat a long time in the box and the grease can sit up ..you want a free turning reel..so spin those reels around and get the smoothest one of the bunch.

I fish all my lures with the 104 EXCEPT...big deep diving crankbaits and lures lighter than 1/4 ounce.

You can fish your Horny Toadf with Mr. 104 in the dark without backlashes..[ -:

My 104 likes Power Pro 20 test and 10 or 12 pound Trilene real good..It does not like Suffix or any other flourocarbon type lines..

For panfish I use the Gardia 101 ..I have had some minor issues with this model..Rough spools in which I lightly sanded down and bail becoming loose...in which I stuck back into place..I have 3 of them..

I think the best 50.00 baitcaster in the world is the Quantum MG 1310..It cast as smooth and far as my 150.00 President Pfluger and very few backlashes . real smooth too....it's a little bulky but for 50.00..EXCELLENT REEL My first one lasted over 10 years..I bought another about 3 years ago..still like new..

DANG!!! Here's a new one on ebay for 25.00

http://cgi.ebay.com/Quantum-1310-ser...item35a41864e8