Best spinning reel for the money?

I haven't been into the fishing loop much the last few years, ive enjoyed my time on the lake (river, stream, pond, ocean) don't get me wrong, but as far as whats "good" in the tackle business i have no idea.

Since we have a good amount of freshwater fisherman here, what in your opinion is the best spinning reel on the market for the money? I just acquired a nice 6'6" St. Croix rod thanks to my G/F, and it needs a solid real to compliment it. Im open to suggestions....

 

I've been away from the spinning game for a while, but I assume the biggest players are still the same. You'll probably get a lot of different answers on this one. Guys like Rick James, Buckeye, etc will probably chime in with specific brands and models.

How much are you looking to spend? There are a lot of good options out there under $100 for a decent reel. Shimano, Okuma, Diawa, and Pflueger would be the brands I would start with. I was always partial to Shimano, but I had good luck with some Okumas near the end of spin fishing days.

 

http://www.basspro.com/Pflueger-Supreme-XT-Spinning-Reels/product/10209013/-1742633#BVQAWidgetID

This is the real that has really caught my eye...

 

I was going to suggest Pflueger before ever opening the thread, I have the President, and getting ready to purchase a Trion for a different rod, out of everything fishing I've ever had, Pflueger is by far the been the best reel for the money, their prices really aren't bad at all, and they are smooth as silk.

 

Shimano Stradic Ci4

 

I'm not big into it....but I have 5 diffent spinning reels. I bought the Plueger President last year as a back up to take to Canada. I ended up using it most of the time because it's just a nice reel without bankrupting you. I bought mine at Gander Mountain for 12 bucks less than Bass Pro Shop has them listed for. I used it most all the time again this year on our trip. The only time I didn't was when I wanted to try what I had other rods rigged with.
http://www.basspro.com/Pflueger-Pre...oduct/104124/-1549152?cmCat=CROSSSELL_PRODUCT

 

I have been using Pflueger spinning reels for the past 5 years now. I have tried Abu Garcia's and Shimano's, but I have stuck with the Pflueger brand.

For the money, you can't go wrong with the President model. I own 2 of them, and they have held up very nicely.

If you can, I would hold of for the Bass Pro Sping Classic next March. You will be able to get some great deals on nearly all their spinning reels.

 

Pflueger has OK stuff, but if you ever have issues the replacement parts and service guys are non existent.

If I were you I'd be looking at Shimano or Diawa. Both IMHO have the best spinning and baitcasting reels on the market, and both have excellent service and parts available......that turns your purchase of a high end reel into a long term investment. I have no idea what your looking to spend, but the $130-$300 range gets you into a fantastic reel.

I'm fishing a pair of Shimano Stradic 2500's on my main spinning rods and I love them. The Ci4's are nice, but really are just a lighter reel......not worth the $$$ to me but maybe to other people. For under $150 I'd recommend the Stradics I have. If you want to spend more, the Diawa Fuego's are truly awesome, but they are roughly 2x as much as the Shimano's.........which is why I don't have them. I fish a baitcaster a lot more than a spinning rod these days so it's just not an investment I'm willing to make.

 

Ive had pretty good luck with the browning reels.

 

I love my Pflueger Supreme..

 

Its very tough to beat either a Pflueger President or Shimano Symetre, both are less than $75. I fish a lot and I've had mine for years. A shimano Sahara is a cheaper option that is also a great reel. Fishing is just like Archery. You can go get the new Bowtech setup for $1200 or use a $350 Martin and the deer will be just as dead.

 

I've had a couple Pfleugers, but in all honesty, I couldn't say they were any better than my Mitchells, and one of them though I paid about 3x what I did for my Wal-Mart Special Mitchell ($90 vs. $30) wasn't nearly as nice. I don't get out to fish quite enough that I can ever rationalize spending that sort of coin on a reel again when the quality isn't any better than a $30-40 reel.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Fishing-Reels/Spinning-Reels|/pc/104793480/c/104760180/sc/104837580/Mitchell174-300Xe-Classic-Series-Spinning-Reel/703215.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffishing-fishing-reels-spinning-reels%2Fmitchell%2F_%2FN-1102842%2B1000004032%2FNe-1000004032%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104837580%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104793480%253Bcat104760180%26WTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104793480%3Bcat104760180%3Bcat104837580

 

Trust me, there is a difference in quality between a $30 and $90 reel. If it isn't noticeable right away, it will be over time/use. The $30 will break down faster. There are certainly some companies you pay some for the name, but the components and quality are better also.

Thats not to say a $30 reel doesn't catch fish, but it sounds like a Siman is looking for a decent reel. A $30 Mitchell doesn't fit that bill.

 

The Shimano Stradic ST1000FI is my spinning real of choice... It is affixed to a St. Croix Avid (6'-6" lite action). Super nice real for around $150-160.

I have 5lb. Power Pro braid on it. Stupid awesome setup for stream fishing. (I don't pond fish)