Thread: Reels

I used 202's also but did not put the wear and tear on them I do on reels now. For spider rigging/long lining I tend to use not very expensive reels as they are more just holding the line. If its a reel I'm casting lures with I want it to be smooth reeling and a smooooooth drag. I also use mine in salt and fresh, wading, shore and boats so I want something that is going to hold up. As you move up into offshore fishing again I want something with smooth drag and good durability. All in all I hate to lose fish due to equipment malfunction. There are lots of good reels out there in the $75 range in my opinion.

The Shimano Sienna reels are great, The Sahara is super. Great price and last a long time.

I've bought more expensive reels when they go on clearance and I can get them at a steep discount and I must admit they are a pleasure to use. Hooking a nice bass or big shell cracker on light test with a super smooth drag is a joy. No line twist, easy casting, smooth reeling, are all better the more you spend. I've never bought the $150 reels so not sure what they provide.

In my opinion for spinning reels the Shimano Sienna is a great value. Not too cheap, not too expensive, great performance. The Sahara is fantastic, but now we're talking a little more money. I get those when they discontinue the model and they go on clearance.

I've been switching all of my crappie reels over to the Pfleuger President 25X as they've been super smooth and I've not had a single issue. I got tired of drag engagement issues on the cheaper reels I had been running.
TW

I use Daiwa 40xd under spins. I mainly spider rig. Ive caught crappie, catfish, bass, and everything in between. Tried others and didn’t last. I’ve got some that are 10 years old. Good quality but cheap enough if they quit, just toss it!

For us single reel in hand kind of guys, I like the plain ol’ Mitchell 300 from Walmart for $37 on a Shakespeare ultra light rod that is $17 at Walmart. Hard to beat value for me. You can normally buy the Shakespeare with a reel on it for about$18, when you can find it, then keep the reel for backup. They always have the 4ft6in, but hard to find the longer, up to 7ft rods.


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Originally Posted by Mbsbeek

Q&A,
So why $150.-$200. for a reel is it that they're better ?

Yes, they are better: better drags, better line management (no twisted line) ... better everything.

Lots more info here:

https://www.crappie.com/crappie/panf...ating-panfish/

I am not lucky enough to afford what I really want so I pick my choices. I use my long crappie rods for tight lining wit Carolina or coleman rigs. I fitted them with $15.00 500 series cheep reels with braid. My thought was to use them 2yrs and replace them. that was 7yrs ago. The long rods take the shock out of a quick run and helps the drag. The 7.5 rods that I fish for specks and reds at the coast are fitted with the 2000 Shamano rear drag that I really like.