Light Reel

[Krust]

Looking to buy a new reel for my 7' Abu Garcia Sonar Tip (3-6kg) as my Shakespeare Synergy fcuked up =/

What would you recommend? I'm mostly leaning towards a Shimano reel, however, I would like an Abu Garcia one, just because the rod is Abu =P

This will just be used for pier/wharf fishing, mainly for bream/flatties/whiting and so on.

Thanks.

[storms72]

Need to know how much you want to spend Krust-....Theres plenty of reels out there!

I can only comment on what I'v got myself and my little SHimano Symetre(round $200) which I was put onto by a few on here is a very good little reel, I'm sure others will recommend what they have and like too!

Good luck mate!
Jason

[Mr Potato Head]

You have not specified a budget?

In the shimano range, Check out the Sedona's, they are a nice reel for around $100, have many of th featurs of the more expensive reels but in a graphite body. Size will depend on what line your going to run.

Ive been using the Viva Ballet Seris reels for a little while now, I have them in 3000, 3500 and 4000 size and they are proving to be a great little reel. They all also graphite and hav many features of the much more expensive models.

[jacobvz]

Need to know how much you want to spend Krust-....Theres plenty of reels out there!

I can only comment on what I'v got myself and my little SHimano Symetre(round $200) which I was put onto by a few on here is a very good little reel, I'm sure others will recommend what they have and like too!

Good luck mate!
Jason

Symetre is indeed a nice little reel. They are not that expensive Jason. 129 at tackleworld caringbah (of the top of my head). That's where I got mine from.

I like my daiwa tierra better (mainly because it is blue and has caught bigger fish) but this is around the 180 mark (got this one from US though)



Jack

[kingyfisher]

25% Off rods&reels if u mention Hi-Tide Got a Pfluger Trion (top of the range) for $90 !:headbang:

[stylo]

The Symetre is great. Had one and sold it to upgrade to a 2500 Saros which is much much nicer! This is my main reel.

Penn Accord and Applauses are GREAT reels. I have an Accord 2000 ($50) and it's a great little reel. Used for all my live bait/squidding duties.

It all comes down to your budget and what you want to spend, what type of fishing you will do, whether you need 2 spools (one mono, one braid) or not and whether you will continue fishing in the future. No point spending heaps on a top of the line reel only to give up fishing next month.

Spend more to buy a good reel and you won't end up buying 2-3 average reels like I did. I love all my reels, but I usually only use the most expensive one. Hopefully that will help you make up your mind.

[TomMc]

I have a daiwa cy 3000 and its a great little reel... comes in at about $150 i think...

[imnotafish]

my vote, 2500 shimano from the new range maybe seido but preferrably saros or stradic. all wrap braid better than the old shimano range among other things.
as was alluded to above, spend as much as you can afford on the reel, it will last you 10 years easily if you do so, give you plenty of enjoyment, and you will lose less fish due to reel fook ups
If you cant afford much, the penn accords r pretty good for low end reels, as is the shimano sienna...

just dont buy an abu spin reel, youll only regret it

[catchnrelease]

Since you haven't specified a budget, go for a Shimano Stella or Daiwa Exist. Very nice! :lol:

[Mr Potato Head]

yep..... you need a $500 rod and a $500 reel to catch bream... Thats why I have such bad luck...

[Dog Catcher]

yep..... you need a $500 rod and a $500 reel to catch bream... Thats why I have such bad luck...

Hey Spud !

I can fix you up with a bit of mono & a stick that you can tie it off to.

That'll catch you some wittle Brimmy's :rolling laughter:

Krust !

If you're one of those peeps who buy fishing magazines ???

Think it's Modern Fishing

Anyway they're giving away a Browning Tf reel [I think?] if you subcribe for 12 months.

Not the Rolls Royce of reels but a very good reel all the same

Like most tackle if you look after it it will look after you

[Krust]

Sh*t I forgot to mention budget ><

I'm willing to spend up to pretty much $250.

And yeh DC, funny enough I was going to ask you about that. I seen it was Browning and I thought who else is better to ask than DC??

Is it worth it? I was thinking of suscribing for 12 months either way.

By the way it's a Browing AF.

[sclark3]

Shimano Stradic, or Twin Power...Hit Stef up for best price

[Mr Potato Head]

You should prolly get a tiagra and load it with braid...

Do you guys really think that some of these xpensive reels are going to catch more fish or that a bream is going to destroy a lesser reel?

[Mr Potato Head]

Sedona $85

XT7 Graphite Frame.
Fluidrive II.
Power Roller II.
Cold Forged Aluminium Spool.
Spare Spool.
Dyna-Balance.
A-RB (Anti Rust Bearings).
Super Stopper II.


Twin Power $285
A-RB (Anti Rust Bearings).
Super Slow Oscillation.
Floating shaft.
Hyper Gear.
Power Roller.
Aero Wrap.
Bio Grip.
Dyna-Balance.
Spare Spool.

[Dog Catcher]

Sh*t I forgot to mention budget ><

I'm willing to spend up to pretty much $250.

And yeh DC, funny enough I was going to ask you about that. I seen it was Browning and I thought who else is better to ask than DC??

Is it worth it? I was thinking of suscribing for 12 months either way.

By the way it's a Browing AF.

Yep not bad little reels Krust only used one a couple of times

BUT !

There is the range of spin/bait reels due to hit our shores in the next month or so.

I'm not allowed to show them off yet but I do have a few that I've been testing out & for what they'll be retailing @ ???

Well within your budget with plenty of change left

Deemed a spin reel but no probs using them as a bait reel either

Specs of the top of my head

10 + 1 bearings
Spare spool & handle [ dont quote me on the handle bit I'm got the samples & have 2 handle per reel]

Hollow bail arm
One model is full alloy & the cheaper one is graphite body with alloy everything else.

A couple of peeps here have had the chance to spin with them on my wittle boat & it was all thumbs up

Mate you'll be looking @ around $140 RRP on the full alloy model & about $120 RRP on the graphite body model that's in about the 3000 size.

May not be everyones cup of tea but they match or better some of the more expensive reels specs

[Dog Catcher]

Sedona $85

XT7 Graphite Frame.
Fluidrive II.
Power Roller II.
Cold Forged Aluminium Spool.
Spare Spool.
Dyna-Balance.
A-RB (Anti Rust Bearings).
Super Stopper II.


Twin Power $285
A-RB (Anti Rust Bearings).
Super Slow Oscillation.
Floating shaft.
Hyper Gear.
Power Roller.
Aero Wrap.
Bio Grip.
Dyna-Balance.
Spare Spool.

Funny you should say that Spud

I had a Sedona up for $30 & no one was interested mind you the reel had only been used around 3 months as well

[Mr Potato Head]

Ive got a 4000 that originally was used for cod and fish with 20lb braid on it untill a big fight down JB one day left me with a completly empty spool... I then put some 6kg mono on it and use it quite often over last 2 years and it is still smooth and has never given me any trouble.. Sure, I wouldnt target massive kings on it, But for bream, flatties, snapper and any of them fish it is a great reel and much cheaper.. I recon by th time it wears out Ill be more than happy to pay another $85 for one.

Just cant see the point of spending big dollars when he said

This will just be used for pier/wharf fishing, mainly for bream/flatties/whiting and so on.

The Sedona or the Viva Ballet would handle these with ease and more.. And theres no reason they wont last as long.

[catchnrelease]

For around $250 go a Shimano Stradic 2500 (the new one) or a Daiwa Tierra 2000-2500.

[Mr Potato Head]

I dunno what other gar you have got, but for $300 you could get the Sedona and a BTR4500 Combo and then have somthing heavier to chase kings or jews with as well!

[Krust]

I've already got a 6500btr on the 10'.

I just called up the local tackle shop. He said I should get a Pflueger Trion 40.

What you guys think?

[stylo]

try it, if it feels right, buy it.

You've got all the advice u will ever need from us !

[imnotafish]

Ok to clear up some points here. Krust i really advise that you think about or tell us about the possible uses the reel might see to get some idea of what you need in any brands range. Many i this thread will agree you will be happy with a shimano reel if you buy one, therefore hypothetically, where in the range to buy, is the only question.
lets look at some Shimano reels:
Sedonas are around $80- $100, and worth about that. They are slow retieve around 4.5-1, which could be a benefit or not depending on what you want to do with it. it is also however not as salt water friendly as some of shimanos slightly more expensive reels, but still ok.
Above that was the old sahara (the high speed version of the sedona to some degree)
Then above that, the symetre is faster and more rust resistant in general, and when made was the best reel in the shimano range not made in japan - the old stradic was the model above, the lowest model made in japan. when released the symetre 2500 was worth about $225 retail
both r the old technology reel type however , and therefore dont wrap braid as well as the new ones do amongst other problems. SO LESS WIND KNOTS IN YOUR BRAID with the new reels
The new Stradics are no longer made in jap, but have amazing drag ratings, eg 10kg - 4000size , 12.5kg -5000, 15kg - 6000 & 8000. They also have a tougher spool better designed for braid casting and i could go on and on.
The Saros's are similar new tech but one range down from the stradics, now around $250, and has slightly less drag. both these r fast retieve reels in the high 5.-1's.
I recommend either highly.

Daiwa and most major brands are exactly the same, it is not a straight procession up the particular Brands ranges, the reels do different things, and r used for different purposes.

You do get wht you pay for with reels.

as an aside in small 2500 or like size reels i have:
a pflueger trion and a medalist, they r just ok nothing more.
a penn accord, only used twice, no drag - but smooth to use still (doubt there is much rust proofing in there tho)
a daiwa tierra and i a very happy with it BUT it is very new still and feels not fully balanced.
many shimano spin reels inc a 10-12 year old stradic which still purrs like a baby.

[Mr Potato Head]

Some good advice there!

[storms72]

Krust, Stef and Kris warned me off a few reels when I was looking at a similar set-up and I'm happy as with the rod and reel I purchased in the end! Kamil's advice was also extremely helpful to me! So long as you're happy with your purchase mate and it catches you some fish!

[Krust]

Wow that is some excellent advice, kudos to you imnotafish! Same with everyone else who has posted, really appreciate it.

Ok so now that Pflueger is outta the question, I'm pretty much tossing up between the Daiwa Tierra and the Shimano Strados.

I'll take a visit down to some tackle shops tonight, see what they have to say about them and see the price range.

[imnotafish]

the more heavily saltwater oriented your fishing, the more i would lean toward the shimano :luck: