Not "reel" happy

[Bluejay]

I bought a couple of the pflueger president reels and really like them. Have had them about a year and have not had any problems. One of the smoothest reels I have ever used.

[skiptomylu]

OK one last pitch for Shamino. Don't know if you are aware of this or not, but Shimano is the largest gear manufacturer in the world. They make about 85% of all the gears in all autos.
So they have all the tools and machinery and engineering to make the finest gears in the world and after all is not a reels quality at least linked to their gears?

Shimano's business does not depend on their fishing products, but their business lends itself to making really good quality reels.

[GRIZZ]

You got a dud. Its happens especially with cheap reels no matter what the brand. Just take it back and try another one, though I do suggest you step up a model grade. When you pay less than $50 for a reel your always asking for trouble unless its on clearance or something. I am currently using quantums and I like them better than the shimano's I've been using for the last 6-7 years. When you figure on using a reel for 5-10 yrs with good maintainence paying a little more doesn't add up to much over the long run. Spend some money.

[eastkycrappie]

I have fished Shimano baitcasters for as long as I have used one and got a Spinning reel last year. I love it. My Dad has two that he has had since the early 80's and has never had a problem out of them.

[deathb4disco]

GRIZZ summed it up well. For a little more money, you can get a much better reel. I bought a couple of Shimano Symetre's about 10 years ago. I think I paid $80-$85 for each of them, and they're still fishing great.

Symetre's are still $80. The Quantum Kinetic and Daiwa SS are also in the same price range.