I have a Shimano Spin Reel and after just a couple of outings it is falling apart. What a piece of junk!!

I'm using this Spin Reel primarily for Jig and Bobber with a 10' pole. What are the best brands and models so I can start shopping for a new reel.

-Mark

MM: I've had no problems with my Okuma's. I've got 4 of the Inspira 30's. They are great spinning reels.

My vote is for Okuma. I've got a few different models. I've had zero problems.

I really like my Daiwa Laguna 2500 and 3500.

Oh no here we go again.

Okuma

MM,

You didn't say what price line your Shimano reel is. A couple of friends have had nothing but good things to say about their Shimanos, from the mid price line on up. Are you expecting a bottom of the line product to perform like a top of the line one?

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

I use a Shimano Symetre and have nothing but good things to say about it. The way it works got me to buy two more.

I forked over the extra dough 3 years ago and bought me a Shimano Sedona Spinning reel, its held up to anything and everything Ive thrown at it. By the way I would highly not reccomend any abu spinning reels, each one I have used had crapped out on me after 1 years use. For some reason I either always get the bad reels out of the batch or they are juss crap.

I like my Okumas.

I like her Okumas, too.

I totally agree. The new revampt Shimano 2500's are great reels. But if you're totally against the Big S then I'd look hard at the Okuma Inspira, great reel.

depends on your budget, for a money reel, for i think $40 get a shimano sedona 2500, it takes a beating and is still pretty smooth, others to look at are the laguna 2500, ondinde 2500, stradic 2500, and the new stratic 2500 mg, new drag, head killer things about them!

I fish those cheap Shimanos complained about above. You get what you pay for - they last about two years as little river fishing that I do. When they do completely crap out I go buy a new one. I know this is the true definition of the disposable American society that gets complained about so often, but I have burned too many times by expensive spinning reels that didn't perform any better or last any longer than the cheapies.

My best success with spinning reels has been with the Shimano 5000 I think they are called - usually can be found for $19.95 complete with a fighting drag and spare spool

I don't know what's funnier. Duc's post or wulybgr's post!

The only problem I have had with my Diawa Laguna 2500 is that I have not caught any Okuma's with it!!!

man trust me on this one 100%, go with a mitchel 300X, best spinning reel ive used (for the money). ive had mine for 2 or 3 years now, used it in the salt , rivers, lakes and hadnt done any maintanence untill recenty. holds a 205 of 8 i think and has something like 5 bearings. only 40 bucks. If u want a smaller reel they make a 308x too. Watch out for ocumas they develop a nasty line roller problem.

Ok..I'll be the "odd man out" in this chat.

Pflueger.

I've got one of the Trion spinning reels (4735) and love it. The next level down, for Pflueger, is the Solara, yet another superbly built reel. (BTW, I bought this reel after hearing about (and seeing) the performance on Titanium Cranium's Pfluegers)

I've landed 5 Chum with the Solara this year..sadly, all were foul hooked (and released), but hooking a high-teens Chum in the dorsal fin means screaming 50 yd. runs, and a "root-hog or die" kind of battle. This reel performed flawlessly. This does not count the 6 or 7 10+ lb. Coho it has beached this year.
The Solara has an equally smooth drag as the Okuma Inspira, but is 40% the cost at $29.95 at most any sporting goods store. I think the Trion spinning reel is about $49.

I also have 2 of the Okuma's, and while they are superb reels, so far they have not performed any better than the Pfluegers.

If your talking baitcasters, at the moment I would suggest avoiding the Trion. I have had nothing but trouble with the drag washers on my newest one, which was a replacement for the one bought last Feb. No so with the spinning reels...very pleased with their performance.

My 2 centavos..

Mike

I've never had any problems with my Shimano Stradic 4000's. Love the anti-reverse. My older two FEs are still working fine but a little warn, particularly the plastic bail arm. I need to order the replacement arm. Just had these replaced when serviced about two years ago. I also have a FG, which is made of less plastic and more metal. I have the newer improved FH that came out in 2003. Has a wider spool, 50% less line twist, and a maintenance port for lubricating without having to tear it apart. More anti rust bearings. I just bought another FH yesterday.

I like the Shimano Sustain better but its a little too pricey for me.

They all come with a spare spool too.

In the original message I did not note what Shimano I'm calling "Junk", it was the Shimano Sedona 4000RA. I paid $59.00 for the reel and I would have expected much more from the reel. I even ordered replacement parts, fixed the reel and it fell apart again.

thanks for all the feedback!!

Another vote for the Okuma Epixor...super super smooth for the $$. My second vote would be a Pflueger Trion..same deal as the Okuma.

i just love all my Penn reels bait caster and spinning

In my experience, I have found the "low end" Shimano's to be junk as well. They'd last about a year or two before crapping out and going South. I finally gave them all away last summer.

I put a ton of summer runs on my Sustain 2500 this summer and have only good things to say about it so far. No worse for the wear.

I have also put a ton of summer runs on my Diawa 2500 Capricorn and it's holding up just fine.

The Diawa is slightly heavier than the Sustain and the drag sounds like a coffee grinder. Other than that, it's another good "higher end" reel.

(1 ton + 1 ton) x 2000 lbs/ton/7 lbs/summerrun=570 summerrun steelhead

Damn, son, you're going to have to share that bounty with ol' Sol next summer.

No matter what model you wind up buying, get the front drag next time.

I use both the pfluger Trion and solara. Both are great reels with a very affordable price tag. I use them in the salt as well as rivers. All I do is rinse them off with fresh water after each trip.