My spinning reel blew up on me yesterday while fishing the upper Chehalis. It 'was' a Spirex 2000. Not being mush of spinfisherman, are there better ones out there at a reasonable price. Thanks

How did you blow it up???
I bought a Spyrex 2000 earlier this summer and have had some drag screamin silvers on. Also have had a few that were screamin along until I had to grab the spool due to them heading for log jams,rocks,etc.
I've been impressed with it so far.

You might take a look at Okuma reels. I recently purchased an Okuma Epix (spelling?) for about 70 dollars that is extremely nice.

RM

The Shimano Sahara is a great reel for $59,plus it comes with a spare aluminum spool.For a little more money the Symetre is a great reel at $79.The drawback to that is a Graphite spare spool.Sometimes the line wraps around the roller on the bell.I,ve used both of those for about 3 years.Last year I fished silvers almost everyday and have landed more fish than I can count on them.With no problems.They are both 2000 series reels.
I bought a Fin Nor 402 this year for $39 just to see how it performed.So far has been great, landing 15 silvers.It didnt come with a spare spool.I ordered one for $17,a bit spendy but I like the reel so far.Quite comparable to the shimanos.

Oh ya,I also had a spirex for a couple years.Pretty good reel.Just didnt like the quikfire trigger on it.If you use one make sure the spool is back against the stop when you set the hook.If you notice,the spool has a little freeplay.when you set the hook it slams back against the stop.I think thats what tears them up.

My wife bought me a Spirex for my birthday about four years ago. Her dad made me take it back and get a Stradic 4000. He didn't like the quickfire trigger because it can snag up your line. The Stradic is a little more expensive. My first was about $95. Also bought another one two years ago for $100. I think they're a little more expensive now but worth the price.

Thanks for the replys - got things to look at now. HntFsh-I think your right about that extra play, it's hard on em. Let those reels sceam!!

Whoever decided to put that "Quickfire" lever on those Shimanos should be drawn and quartered. I've cursed that thing about a zillion times.

I recently ordered an Okuma Epix EFS-30 for 60 bucks. It's a perfect size compromise between the 2000 and 4000 series. The 2000 series is a little small for any line over 10 lb test, and the 4000 series are a little big for my liking. I had a problem with the original reel handle locking button, but Okuma replaced it and it hasn't been a problem since.

You get a spare spool and a carrying bag for 60 bucks. The drag is super smooth, and I would rate the reel above comparitively priced Shimanos. Of course, time will tell and I don't have enough hours on the Okuma to give an evaluation of that.

Whatever you get, get one WITHOUT that goofy quickfire lever. Sooner or later, that thing is going to cost me a fish, then the whole reel might just take a swim.

Stradic, stradic, stradic...
I've own 4 of them and have never had a bit of trouble out of any of them. I prefer the 2000's and also own a 4000. The drags rock and after 4 years of no trouble I'd say they're worth the extra upfront money.
Keith

Screaminreelron, Just a heads-up that the upper Chehalis does'nt open to Salmon fishing until Oct. 16th.

I like both the sedona and sahara over the spirex for sure. The positive lock feature is great compared to the play in the spirex. This summer i've been fishing a sedona 2000 with 8lb line on my 10.5 ft gloomis rod. Works like a charm for spinners, spoons, and floats w/ jig or bait. It handles summer steelys like a dream and I've even landed the occasional king with it.

stradic...............

I own the Stradic and would not hesitate to buy another. My partner just bought 2 of the Okuma Epix 3.0's from Sportco for $49 a piece.
Good luck and tight lines, Jeff

I ended up getting the Shimano Symetre 4000 and am very happy with it.

Dan, one of my 3 Shimano spinning reels had the quickfire thing on it and I just unscrewed it and took it off. Works fine now and still has the self centering feature intact; although I think that can be taken out too if you want.

On my way back from the Oly Pen recently I stopped in at Bob's in Longview and bought an Okuma AV30 to try out. It seems like a really nice and solid spinning reel, with lots of ball bearings for the price - $39.95 at Bob's. What's the difference between the AV30 and Epix30 models?

Also, I noticed at Fred Meyers this evening the ABU Garcia Cardinal AF4 (4000 series) spinning reels were on sale for only $32.95. I seems like a good reel; although it noted having 3 main ball bearings. How have these reels been for any who have them? Thanks.

RT

[ 10-10-2001: Message edited by: RT 1 ]

screaminreelon: What rod did you put the 4000 on? I was just wondering how it balanced. I have a TH 1084 that's in need of a new reel, and was thinking of the 2000.

John

Rt the Diff between the av-30 has 7 bearings and the epix-30 has 10 ball-bearing and the handles are different.
The AV has a metal knob style (cold)and the epix has a smaller rubber grip.
I heard Okuma has a 12 ball bearing spinning reel also...just a rumor.
I also own an 2000# spirex,I use my okuma now much smoother and I love the smooooth drag.

Like Dan said the Okuma 30 series falls between the 2000 and 4000 series shimanos,which is perfect becuase one is too small the other is too big......balance is perfect......just my .02....Os

[ 10-10-2001: Message edited by: Osprey ]