Which reels do you prefer?

[Sean]

For spinning (threadline) reels, what brand do you prefer?

Now I am not going to include a sitting on the fence option!;D

[Sean]

I knew it, 100% Daiwa......oh......hang on, I'm the only one to vote yet!!!!

[Flattie Assassin]

I've always bought Shimano. :P

[Tangles]

Alvey then Shimano hands down

mike

[tunaticer]

Been thru most every brand thats under 400 bucks mark and currently having a good run with okuma spinning reels.
Got a shed full of diawa shimano shakespeare and pfleugar and dam reels collecting dust these days.

Jack.

[rockfisho]

if im absolutly positively certain my Alvey can't do the job, which is very very rarely, I go shimano or penn.

rockfisho

[Tailortaker]

Other......Abu Garcia
________
VOLCANO VAPORIZERS (http://volcanovaporizer.net/)

[plaztix]

I'm with you tailor taker, i've had quite a few Abu Garcias over the years and they are all still going.
Not one of them has ever let me down.

[snelly1971]

I did love Shimano ...until i found Miya Epoch.....

Mick

[revs57]

Lazy bugger Mick;D;D;D

I can't fault the old Penn spinfisher, tough as old boots and reliable. Recently picked up a 560l & 460l liveliner slammers...same tough quality...

Like the affinity for SP work too...nice drags so its penn for me!

Cheers

rhys

[Silent]

Other......Abu Garcia
Me too...:)

[NAGG]

As I recently found out .... A top of the line Shimano (Stella 2000SR) cant cut it against a third string Daiwa Certate 1500 ...... Sure it is a nice looking reel , lighter than a Certate , a fraction smoother ....... The drag system is only equal ...... But it casts like crap due to the line lay & twist (changed the line 3 times ... Superbraid to Nitlon Flurocarbon now to Fins) ..... Changed the rods it was used with ( T Curve 702XL , Millerod Bream buster to Nitro Powerbream) >:( !
The Certate 1500 is happy to live on all the rods ... & casts virtually in a faultless manner8-)

I've always had a high regard for Daiwa Spin reels ..... & now that I have compared the two ..... My opinion has been reinforced! ..... Nagg

[Little grey men]

Shimano for me.....It was my first good reel so I just stuck with that brand.
All reels mentioned are good gear if you learn to use them correctly and keep them clean and serviced.

[bayfisher]

Its a pretty limited poll, Wheres the rest like Van Staal, abu, Mitchell, Fin-nor, Pflueger, Quantum, Banax, Zeebas, Tica.

My vote goes to other

Cheers Chris

[Peter4]

I have used Penn Applause 4000 for barra in the impoundments (casting & trolling), for snapper/squire/mackeral/sharks in the bay, and for flathead/sharks in the estuaries.

Cannot fault this reel for its versatility and performance all for under $100!

Pete

[Noelm]

the problem with this is that it is really a "what is the most common" reel, not what is really perferred, because Shimano is the most Advertised and sold in every shop in the World (almost) it SHOULD win hands down, but it does not make it the preferred one, just the most common.

[GPB]

No Noelm, the Question is "Which reels do 'you prefer?'"::)
I have lots of brands of reels and can buy all brands of reels, but I prefer my Shimano!.;D

[bushbeachboy]

The Penn Slammers get my vote. Very tough (which is good when you're hard on your gear like me;D ) and super smooth drags right out of the box.

Having said that, I've just been given a Daiwa Sol 2500 for Father's Day. It is really a beautiful light smooth bit of kit, but I haven't used it yet, so time will tell.

[Timfishin4fun]

I have just bought 2 x stradics they seem great. I voted DIAWA only because for years thats all I have bought, and not the good ones but have always seemed to last and run well for a cheapie.
Tim

[Sean]

Its a pretty limited poll, Wheres the rest like Van Staal, abu, Mitchell, Fin-nor, Pflueger, Quantum, Banax, Zeebas, Tica.

My vote goes to other

Cheers Chris

it may be a limited poll, but over 70% of the votes are for 2 of the five options....if it was 50% other, I would agree with you. Sean:)

[Sean]

I have just bought 2 x stradics they seem great. I voted DIAWA only because for years thats all I have bought, and not the good ones but have always seemed to last and run well for a cheapie.
Tim

stradics....:uhoh: :uhoh: :thumbsdown: feel great to start, but my brothers didn't last too well, he threw it overboard one day in disgust, we've both always bought daiwa since, my opinion of course

[MitchCalcutt]

Daiwa's new reels are expensive, so i added up the amount of bucks I've spent in two years on reels that wore out due to lack of bareings. I could have bought one that would still be working.

[NAGG]

stradics....:uhoh: :uhoh: :thumbsdown: feel great to start, but my brothers didn't last too well, he threw it overboard one day in disgust, we've both always bought daiwa since, my opinion of course
Strangely .... The first time I picked up a Stradic .... I quickly put it back down ..... I was looking for a reel that mates / family might use (If they didn't have bream gear) .. when on my boat ...... bought a Daiwa Caldia in stead8-) ... Nagg

[bayfisher]

it may be a limited poll, but over 70% of the votes are for 2 of the five options....if it was 50% other, I would agree with you. Sean:)

Shimano and daiwa have a huge market share, and do produce some great reels. I'm sure there marketing also helps. But there are other great spinning reels out that people do not buy or aren't exposed to because they aren't made by the big 2 manufactures unfortunately.

Cheers Chris

[NAGG]

Shimano and daiwa have a huge market share, and do produce some great reels. I'm sure there marketing also helps. But there are other great spinning reels out that people do not buy or aren't exposed to because they aren't made by the big 2 manufactures unfortunately.

Cheers Chris
Chris ... & they are ? ...... Lets face it for the better quality reels Daiwa & Shimano are it ..... Penn Spinfishers & Mitchells have had their day , Okuma .... not too many rave about them , Fin nor great reputation for game reels ... Spin though :( , Pflueger / Penn .. Maybe in the lower to mid end , ABUs .. not in spin , Banax ? , Tica ... maybe for a couple of years use only ....... And Van Staal .... Who has seen one , used one & how many have been sold in Aust , Limited range .... Plus expensive .... Nagg

[bayfisher]

If your talking high end spinning shimano and diawa stuff their is little competition from most manufactures. Though van staal and zeebas probably make a better reel for the money and if i was going to spend that sort of money I would seriously consider them. In the mid to lower range there is plenty of stuff that matches shimano and diawa. For high speed spinning gear I usually reach for my okuma epix I think its better then my tss4. Pflueger don't make a bad spin reel either i have a supreme spin i have recently purchased and its a great little reel. I had a tica for a few years as well and it was pretty good too, I actually lost it last week over the side unfortunately:( . I did have to service it pretty regularly but it held up better then a shimano that i purchased about the same time. I have also been playing around with a quantum the last few weeks and really quiet like it, so much so i have ordered another. Don't get me wrong I have plenty of shimano and diawa stuff and there great reels but I think some other great less know/marketed manufactures that make some good stuff, you might be surprised by some of the other brands offering.:)

Cheers Chris

[bayfisher]

I'm sure there is a few people that wont agree that spinfishers have had their day. For big cheap spinning reels your unlikely to find much better.

Cheers Chris

[B_E_N]

which relgion are we argueing about again??:) same old story, i prefer shimano coz our family has had them for years and every single one is still working fine, so we've had no problems and ill continue to use them for that fact, i also prefer them because they have a reel for everyone for every use and budget, personally i think you have to spend alot more money to get a real as good as a shimano, my gf brought a slade 2500 for her first setup, for $50, lays braid perfect, line release is great with 8lb fireline, its smooth and has a 10 year warranty, and on the other end of the scale most of australias industry figures use shimano so they must be doing something good. i just feel shimano has designed their range a bit better to our conditions.

[basskid]

im a bit of a weird one i like the some shimano and daiwa spinning reels such as daiwa airity luvias or shimano sephia or sustain and with baitcasters i like shimano chronarchs and daiwa alphas hahahha i likle both eqaul except daiwa look better

[FNQCairns]

Voted Penn due to price and if the reel has not been around for at least 10years without a bad word against it (smoothnes doesn't rate) I am not interested.

I also own a penn applause 4000 which was released only a couple of years ago nice little reel for the price and more than the price but time will tell if they are still considered a good reliable reel in 10 years time.

cheers fnq

[NAGG]

which relgion are we argueing about again??:) same old story, i prefer shimano coz our family has had them for years and every single one is still working fine, so we've had no problems and ill continue to use them for that fact, i also prefer them because they have a reel for everyone for every use and budget, personally i think you have to spend alot more money to get a real as good as a shimano, my gf brought a slade 2500 for her first setup, for $50, lays braid perfect, line release is great with 8lb fireline, its smooth and has a 10 year warranty, and on the other end of the scale most of australias industry figures use shimano so they must be doing something good. i just feel shimano has designed their range a bit better to our conditions.

B_E_N ..... Maybe its because Mr Dunphy has deep pockets & a high marketing budget ..... More than the rest ... by far ! ..... Not that I would complain about having their best products thrust in my hand ... some $$$ maybe .... Just for a few pics & being asked to say a few kind words :P .... Nagg
PS ..... Nothing like seeing a sponsored personality who also has their own range of rods under the very same label ....... armed to the teeth with Millerods:oops: Did I give too much away ;) ... Cheers

[nigelr]

Big French and US spinners for the beach and rocks, Daiwa Sealines for inshore.
The big Mitchell and Bretton spinners are strong and simple, Spinfishers are smooth, strong with good drags.
Sealines take some beating for inshore conventionals, strong as and reliable.
Oh, the GS9 is another monster I use, off the rocks with 15kg mono. Damn strong!
Cheers.

[bluefin59]

I'v always been big on shimano gear especially the stradics but since i bought a diawa sol from member on the chew there is no turning back for me it seems a much better product as far as spinning reels go ,i will definately be looking at more diawa gear in the spin series at least .....matt

[Sean]

I'v always been big on shimano gear especially the stradics but since i bought a diawa sol from member on the chew there is no turning back for me it seems a much better product as far as spinning reels go ,i will definately be looking at more diawa gear in the spin series at least .....matt

good for you!!!:D I actually think this is quite funny, I love daiwa:heart: , it will be near impossible to ever convince me to buy a shimano again:smash: . And I know this is narrow minded, but I think the others must be wrong:sick2: ....ok...ok....i said it. Weird hey:helpa: !!

[NAGG]

I'm sure there is a few people that wont agree that spinfishers have had their day. For big cheap spinning reels your unlikely to find much better.

Cheers Chris
Chris .... No doubt you're right (as there are those that would say that an Alvey is the best reel ever made::) ) .... What I found over the years is that comments like this are usually made by someone who has not used some of the other gear around! ..... 10-15 years ago a big spinfisher was the top of the tree for High speed spinning for big pelagics .... just like a Seascape was the OH equivalent ..... Today these would hardly rate ! .......... I will concede to you that $$$ wise (cheap) They are a good buy:smiley: .... Nagg

[spinyeel]

The Daiwa and Shimano fanboys always give me a laugh.;D There are plenty of other options in all price ranges that catch just as many,if not more fish.Leave the my brand is better than your brand crap for the Ford and Holden brigade.::)

[NAGG]

The Daiwa and Shimano fanboys always give me a laugh.;D There are plenty of other options in all price ranges that catch just as many,if not more fish.Leave the my brand is better than your brand crap for the Ford and Holden brigade.::)
As Pauline would say .." PLEASE EXPLAIN !" .... specially the "if not more fish" ::) Nagg

[spinyeel]

Accurate,Avet,Abu,Alvey,Okuma,Tica,Van Staal,Zeebass,Pflueger,Mitchell,Quantum,Penn.A cross section of reels for any situation.Most don't spend zillions on advertising,but there are some great quality reels produced by all the above companies,along with some cheaper Asian built reels for the non hardcore angler.My point was that if the big 2 went belly up tomorrow you would still be able to buy decent reels,and you will still catch as many fish.

[Damo88]

love my twinpower 2500. the drag noise is swwet music too my ears

[breamnut]

dawia for spin and shimano for baitcasters.
as for overheads i will just have to see when i get my daiwa saltiga

[breamnut]

I'm sure there is a few people that wont agree that spinfishers have had their day. For big cheap spinning reels your unlikely to find much better.

Cheers Chris
how about a shimano stradic 8000 for $165 ;D
i have used penn and didnt like them.
i dont trust anything from javis walker

[bayfisher]

how about a shimano stradic 8000 for $165 ;D
i have used penn and didnt like them.
i dont trust anything from javis walker

At that price the older FI stradics a good buy, but the price on the new FH stradics:o .

[breamnut]

i hate the stradic 1000 but the bigger ones are good for $165
i have seen the new 4000 stradic more expensive then a 4000 twin power:o

[Pistol_P]

I own both shimano and daiwa....
Both make awesome reels......For light finesse plastic fishing I am a big fan of Daiwas for smoothness of drags and less play in handles etc....
My offshore gear comprises of nearly all Shimano gear from baitrunners to TLDs....

However.....LONG LIVE the alveys for beach fishing....I cant use anything but an alvey on the beach.


Pete

[NAGG]

At this point of time , the results while a little surprising (more shimanos would be sold in OZ) .... are where I thought they should be :P ... Nagg

[fishyjoe]

Banax,

They are a great reel, tough as nails and are a reasonable price.


They have a reel for all types of fishing.


Joe

[Davemclean]

I like Shimano, cos I can use one reel for more than one fishing style

[finding_time]

Ok i know it's only spin reels you asked for but i'm going to give you my prefered for the whole gamit of fishing ( to show lack of Bais)

Spin reels........................... Daiwa
Small baitcasters................ Daiwa
Light tackle overheads........Alutecnos ( unbelievable reels)
Bottom donging overheads.Shimano
Heavy tackle overheads.......Shimano ( never seen a Heavy tackle Alutecnos in the flesh so i cant comment)
Bait runners.........................Shimano
Jigging reel...........................Daiwa
Surf.......................................Alvey

ian

[Flattie Assassin]

I prefer both Daiwa and Shimano i guess now, after buying a Daiwa spin reel. Depends on the model. I like my twin power cause it's absolutely silent and a treat to use. The Daiwa Capricorn is a sweet lil ride as well. Better drag in my opinion then Shimano out of the box. But you can always upgrade. I look for different features that suit my style of fishing. Waterproof drags and machined handles etc.

[death_ship]

the daiwa saltiga is unbelievable....and so is the price tag. but i will get one one day.

[polky]

Shimano for me, thats offshore,river and flicking lures, have never tried other brads, first reel was ashimano, no probs so stuck with them

[fish-n-dive]

Abu Garcia....good quality and value for money

[Wahoo]

i have voted Daiwa grew up with them, still have my first reel GS9 27yrs old now still going strong

Daz

[Kurichan]

The big problem is of course, different fish , different reels, different strengths & weaknesses...

I've got a big soft spot for my Daiwa reels, but for a big GT I'd probably go a Stella 20 ( right after I sold a body part or two )...

I didn't even know Alvey made a spinning reel ? Where can I buy them ?

[FNQCairns]

i have voted Daiwa grew up with them, still have my first reel GS9 27yrs old now still going strong

Daz

Hey me too, I had one of them bought new from woolworths variety store I think, it was my first ever new reel and expensive also $15 or so:), mine is long gone.

cheers fnq

[castlemaine]

I have Shimanos, but heard a guy servicing reels say Daiwa is the go. Shimano 2nd. Too complicated for me, as I'm only a weekend fisho. The real test is when you use it nearly everyday and how you clean it after each fishing trip. I was also told that if you stored reels of aluminium body to your stainless rod winch continuously electrolysis can occur within the reel. Yours truly confused, Castlemaine.

[SIRO]

Diawa , diawa then diawa.

[Sean]

thanks to everyone for their contrib....interesting to see how close they are....espec. since shimano are rubbish!!!! OK OK just stirring

[Dunco]

Shimano for me

[toolman2810]

Going back 25 years, maybe even 30. I had my first spinning reel, a Mitchell for fresh water spinning in Tasmania, I think it was my dads hand me down & he bought the newest model. Alot of the lakes we fished in Tasmania were shallow & we fished off the shore in thigh waders. Hence I was taught the proper way to spin & that is wind with your left hand. Well for that enviroment at least. The idea being for a right handed person you normally cast with your right hand above the reel & your left at the bottom.
Catching trout in Tas lakes by spinning is without a doubt aided by the wind, wether it is because of the chop there is more oxygen in the water & the trout are more active. Or because the tiddleys get smashed about in their hiding spot & have to venture out into more open water I don't know.
But on a calm day you can catch fish in the evening or morning, & you may as well give up fishing for the rest of the day.
When its blowing a gale, fishing into weather, thats almost impossible to fish into you can catch your bag of trout. Thats why I was taught to wind left handed, When your side casting (Horizontal rod with a spinning reel) into the wind in shallow water a fraction of a second means the difference between retrieving your lure before it hits the bottom & loosing 30m of line to the wind. Loosing your lure to the bottom & with freezing uncooperative fingers tying on a new one.

Most people are right handed, & if you have to change hands after you cast the rod to wind there is your 1/2 second you can't afford to loose.
I think we fished with Mitchells because they were the best you could buy at the time (25 yrs ago). A large spool diameter for easy casting, A compact body for light weight. Quick button change spools for different line requirements & if you ever did wear out a gear from thousands of hours use. This happened to me from dads hand me down we were amazed that the local shop stocked the gears for a dollar or two.
25 years later I have my own boat, thinking about trawling for mackeral around mud island & landing. Hoping to land a 5kg fish. Sometimes see the seagulls & the fish working I want something that is the best & won't let me down. I was in BCF today buying some lures to hopefully land that big mackeral & looked at some reels. I was amazed at how cheap they were. Then I started looking at the bail arm, most were wire into plastic. Picked up a few & smooth to wind, But felt cheap & tacky. Diawa were absolute crap when I was a kid, but they were the only brand I Saw today with a lathe spun bail arm.
The amount of times I have cast into the wind with a wire into plastic journal & it has double looped.
Or just a plastic journal that grooves & frays your line. $300 for the reel that I wanted. I can't afford that kind of money. I came on here to see what fisherman thought. Most have an opinion with no reason. I want to be told that this reel is iron clad best you can buy in its range. Then I can search for it & buy it secondhabd

[spinyeel]

Going back 25 years, maybe even 30. I had my first spinning reel, a Mitchell for fresh water spinning in Tasmania, I think it was my dads hand me down & he bought the newest model. Alot of the lakes we fished in Tasmania were shallow & we fished off the shore in thigh waders. Hence I was taught the proper way to spin & that is wind with your left hand. Well for that enviroment at least. The idea being for a right handed person you normally cast with your right hand above the reel & your left at the bottom.
Catching trout in Tas lakes by spinning is without a doubt aided by the wind, wether it is because of the chop there is more oxygen in the water & the trout are more active. Or because the tiddleys get smashed about in their hiding spot & have to venture out into more open water I don't know.
But on a calm day you can catch fish in the evening or morning, & you may as well give up fishing for the rest of the day.
When its blowing a gale, fishing into weather, thats almost impossible to fish into you can catch your bag of trout. Thats why I was taught to wind left handed, When your side casting (Horizontal rod with a spinning reel) into the wind in shallow water a fraction of a second means the difference between retrieving your lure before it hits the bottom & loosing 30m of line to the wind. Loosing your lure to the bottom & with freezing uncooperative fingers tying on a new one.

Most people are right handed, & if you have to change hands after you cast the rod to wind there is your 1/2 second you can't afford to loose.
I think we fished with Mitchells because they were the best you could buy at the time (25 yrs ago). A large spool diameter for easy casting, A compact body for light weight. Quick button change spools for different line requirements & if you ever did wear out a gear from thousands of hours use. This happened to me from dads hand me down we were amazed that the local shop stocked the gears for a dollar or two.
25 years later I have my own boat, thinking about trawling for mackeral around mud island & landing. Hoping to land a 5kg fish. Sometimes see the seagulls & the fish working I want something that is the best & won't let me down. I was in BCF today buying some lures to hopefully land that big mackeral & looked at some reels. I was amazed at how cheap they were. Then I started looking at the bail arm, most were wire into plastic. Picked up a few & smooth to wind, But felt cheap & tacky. Diawa were absolute crap when I was a kid, but they were the only brand I Saw today with a lathe spun bail arm.
The amount of times I have cast into the wind with a wire into plastic journal & it has double looped.
Or just a plastic journal that grooves & frays your line. $300 for the reel that I wanted. I can't afford that kind of money. I came on here to see what fisherman thought. Most have an opinion with no reason. I want to be told that this reel is iron clad best you can buy in its range. Then I can search for it & buy it secondhabdQuality built tackle in the old days was built to last for a lifetime.Quality tackle today is built to last until the next model is released:D :D

[Vindicator]

Shimano all the way.... Unless its beach fishing, then I'll use an alvey

[falcon01]

Hi not that I am threadline fisherman I prefer the good old alvey I even for use estuary that said I have brought my wife a stadic and symetre for christmas love the stradic it is smooth as so shimano

[cuzzamundi]

Shimano all the way for big game. Penn and shimano for smaller classes.

cuzza

[nigelr]

Toolman, those Mitchell reels you speak of can still be bought via Ebay USA.
Either second hand or with a bit of patience, new old stock, or in very fine used condition. Most will cost you way less than $300 to get posted to your door.
Don't know whether you are familiar with Ebay USA, so will attempt to post relevent link.
Cheers.
http://sporting-goods.listings.ebay.com/Vintage_Reels_W0QQfromZR4QQsacatZ36175QQsocmdZList ingItemList

[Lutjanus johnii]

Daiwa overheads, Shimano Spinners. I voted before I read spinners

[trev1]

I got all different brands too, I dont really think one is superior to any others provided they are fit for purpose and you dont get ripped off buying it.

[angler1]

okuma in the salt (all stainless internal gears)and shimano for the fresh

[Tetsuo]

Ignorance is bliss. People are happy with the reel they have until they try another. I bought a stradic then worked up to a couple of sustains. Loved them until I got a certate. I would call the certate middle of the range for Daiwa and in my opinion it out performs the stella's. Let alone if you move up to daiwa's better reels which are at the same pricepoint as the stella's. I'll let you know how my new Hyper Custom goes. Sorry shimano fans

[lxc]

Other Abu Garcia have worked for me but I have not had much experience yet.

[Flattie Assassin]

Ignorance is bliss. People are happy with the reel they have until they try another. I bought a stradic then worked up to a couple of sustains. Loved them until I got a certate. I would call the certate middle of the range for Daiwa and in my opinion it out performs the stella's. Let alone if you move up to daiwa's better reels which are at the same pricepoint as the stella's. I'll let you know how my new Hyper Custom goes. Sorry shimano fans

Nail Hammer Head. spot on.

[thatp1g]

http://www.ozdads.com/forums/gallery/6_18_12_07_7_24_46.jpg

That one.

so it's an 'other' for me.


I was building a little outfit to put the fun in whiting and was hunting a ultra light reel.

The bloke at Swan Boat Hire in Maroochydore showed me this one. I was a bit, "what the freckle? it's an Itchypussy brand mate" because i had two hundred bucks to spend and wanted a brand name. The fella at the shop said it was good quality and such and so I bought it. It was only 40 bucks.

Get it home and 2 years later I have hunted for them and bought every one I find. They are stupidly featured - infinite anti reverse, bunches of ball bearings and outrageously sturdy for such a tiny reel.. (think 1000 sized and then go half.)

I love this thing. It's currently teamed with an ultra light daiwa rod and really puts the wallop back into whiting.

[shaneomack05]

shimano for me. BUT... thats mainly what i've had. they say daiwa this daiwa that, i cant say they aren't the best cos i've never used one. so thats why i say go the shimano.

good question
shane

[reddybayfisher]

I'll take a Penn - 5500ss, 6500ss & 7500ss (USA made) are my favourties.....they are made to last.....

[NAGG]

I'll take a Penn - 5500ss, 6500ss & 7500ss (USA made) are my favourties.....they are made to last.....

TALKING BIG SPIN REELS ....... Back in the days of High speed spinning off the stones ...... A big Penn Spinfisher was the reel to have! .... There really was nothing comparable ( Mitchells maybe).
But once the likes of Shimano & Daiwa started into developing their products ...... The likes of the Penns started to be left behind!
Today ..... If you have the cash with the likes of Daiwa Saltigas & Shimano Stellas .... You wouldn't look twice at a Penn (IMHO) .............. But hey you are going to part with $950-$1250 as apposed to $200 for the Penn:P

I see Penn as good honest value for money reels ...... but they have been left behind by the Japanese !
Even the once famed Penn International game reels have largely been replaced by Shimano Tiagras on the game scene!
Nagg

[shaunl]

I currently own two Shimano Stella's 1000FB & 4000FB, a Sustain 1000FD & 6000FD, two Stradic's 2500 & 4000
versus
Daiwa Certate Custom 1504 and Certate Custom HD 3500.

Both brands make very good spinning reels but I prefer the shimanos. they're smoother overall and they have somoother drag when fishing light line eg. 1lb or 2lb.

My vote goes to shimano.

[skeeter]

For the smaller size 1000 upto 3000, can't go past diawa. But over that not really sure. I have penn and a shimano, both great reels. Diawa aren't in the price range i can afford for the larger models.

Peter

[smoked]

Daiwa is my vote

[dogsbody]

Fair priced ones. It all depends on what type of fishing your doing and whats available. I own a mixed bag. Each reel is great.


Dave

[humfmonkey]

Diawa steez and certate hyper great reels but still love my penn 700ss

[Kendall249]

TSS 4 , while its not as smooth as the more pricey reels, but robust and extremely capable

[paul cooper]

Been thru most every brand thats under 400 bucks mark and currently having a good run with okuma spinning reels.
Got a shed full of diawa shimano shakespeare and pfleugar and dam reels collecting dust these days.

Jack.
jack why not sell your older gear and spend the bucks on some thing good coop

[Momentum]

Daiwa followed closely by pflueger.

[kevvie]

I'll put my 2 cents worth in....

I was a devout shimano man. Admittedly the old 1000's and 1500's practically drove me to try daiwa. The airknots inherent in the spool and poorly designed spool lip kept costing me a fortune. Even under-loaded spools kept having the same probs.

I am trying daiwa certates and exists and i am comparing them to the newly designed spools of the shimano stella's and sustains. These are comparable by cost and both include the company's flagship models.

What this effectively do is give me a comparison which are better.

What i have found so far is the shimano's are wearing better with shielded bearings etc and are remaining smoother longer. The daiwas are smoother out of the box but the un-shielded bearings in the handle wear quick and create a grinding noise. Its a simple matter of replacing the bearing.

So if you are rough with your gear or use it everyday or get alot of salt spray on your gear maybe shimano is better for you. If you want super smmoth gearing and light reels daiwa is better, but is more prone to wear and tear.

So, basically choose where you fit in. All the other brands of spinning reels dont compare to the top end gear of the big 2. Okuma's, pfluegers, penns abu's etc are second rate gear aimed at those with a limited budget. No disrespect intended.

[johnny funt]

Dont forget South Australias finest the Sea Martin

[notsa]

I was after a overhead and had trouble making my mind up, so I placed an order in for a Daiwa Saltist 40 with level wind, just new out.

[2manylures]

Going back 25 years, maybe even 30. I had my first spinning reel, a Mitchell for fresh water spinning in Tasmania, I think it was my dads hand me down & he bought the newest model. Alot of the lakes we fished in Tasmania were shallow & we fished off the shore in thigh waders. Hence I was taught the proper way to spin & that is wind with your left hand. Well for that enviroment at least. The idea being for a right handed person you normally cast with your right hand above the reel & your left at the bottom.
Catching trout in Tas lakes by spinning is without a doubt aided by the wind, wether it is because of the chop there is more oxygen in the water & the trout are more active. Or because the tiddleys get smashed about in their hiding spot & have to venture out into more open water I don't know.
But on a calm day you can catch fish in the evening or morning, & you may as well give up fishing for the rest of the day.
When its blowing a gale, fishing into weather, thats almost impossible to fish into you can catch your bag of trout. Thats why I was taught to wind left handed, When your side casting (Horizontal rod with a spinning reel) into the wind in shallow water a fraction of a second means the difference between retrieving your lure before it hits the bottom & loosing 30m of line to the wind. Loosing your lure to the bottom & with freezing uncooperative fingers tying on a new one.

Most people are right handed, & if you have to change hands after you cast the rod to wind there is your 1/2 second you can't afford to loose.
I think we fished with Mitchells because they were the best you could buy at the time (25 yrs ago). A large spool diameter for easy casting, A compact body for light weight. Quick button change spools for different line requirements & if you ever did wear out a gear from thousands of hours use. This happened to me from dads hand me down we were amazed that the local shop stocked the gears for a dollar or two.
25 years later I have my own boat, thinking about trawling for mackeral around mud island & landing. Hoping to land a 5kg fish. Sometimes see the seagulls & the fish working I want something that is the best & won't let me down. I was in BCF today buying some lures to hopefully land that big mackeral & looked at some reels. I was amazed at how cheap they were. Then I started looking at the bail arm, most were wire into plastic. Picked up a few & smooth to wind, But felt cheap & tacky. Diawa were absolute crap when I was a kid, but they were the only brand I Saw today with a lathe spun bail arm.
The amount of times I have cast into the wind with a wire into plastic journal & it has double looped.
Or just a plastic journal that grooves & frays your line. $300 for the reel that I wanted. I can't afford that kind of money. I came on here to see what fisherman thought. Most have an opinion with no reason. I want to be told that this reel is iron clad best you can buy in its range. Then I can search for it & buy it secondhabd
I've had all sorts over the yrs and I look after my gear with kid gloves.

10 yrs ago Daiwa didn't have a reel that could compete even on today's market against cheap reels. No rocket science there. The best they had was the PS - BL series of which I still have two.

Thus far the only reels I've had die are Daiwa and simply because they don't go the distance. Cosmetics wise I could still sell them as new yet mechanically they are RS. I only fish freshwater these days & have been fishing for 38yrs.

I have a set of original Shimano Aero Stradics & Aero Baitrunners along with Chronarchs & a couple of the famous little BSS 2000 ULS’s. All these are still in pristine condition and have been USED heavily over the entire almost 20yrs I've had them & still as smooth as the day I got them. They’ve all caught more than their fair share of fish & had better than a good workout.

I also have TD Daiwa’s along with Shimano Antares 2’s {Jap/Yank S/W Calais} & MG 50’s. & out of these mentioned I would only recommend the Shimano MG-50.
I also have my old retired Mitchells, Shimanos & a few Vintage none of which get used with some never having been used.

Not a great deal of full time or busy anglers keep reels long enough to know what's good & what isn't.

Anglers purchase reels & other tackle on what their favourite personality says. These people are paid to say what they say.

If anyone wants to buy the best tackle for their style of fishing check out what your local guides or charter boat operators are using be it fresh or salt water. They’ll have tried the rest & now use the best.

The most honest advertising is by those who use for a livelihood.

Most other opinions are just opinions based on mainly looks or feel not performance.

SHIMANO for me based on toughness, longevity & performance...Older Reels.

Unfortunately we don't see any or very many of these Aero series reels for sale as those with them won't part with them. Another good indication of a good gutsy reel.

One other thing I don't personally like too much is the 8-14 BB's in some so small. Sacrifices have to be made to fit all the technology in when it isn't needed in the 1st place.

[alphas]

Daiwa for me..The recent generation of spinning reels are really good,IMO

[MeePee_99]

Shimano for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PaulMark]

Well my first choice would be Shimano,however I've just had a look and bugger me...theres a Pflueger,Abu garcia??2 of those.well what d'ya know.The Trion is a nice lil reel.;D ::)
Paulo

[Hecle]

I vote Diawa for there reels and Shimano HANDS DOWN BEST SERVICE!

[freddyboy]

totally agree shimano ,,i have the tld25 and the tld50 also own a couple of se######ins for the surf and a avet quad for larger kingfish,, cheers freddyboy

[jack-n-barra]

I own both Shimano & Daiwa spinning reels and find with braid the Daiwa reels are far better.

Cheers Tod

[sam russell]

Ive always used shmano, theyve done the job for me. Also had succes with penn spinfishers , there extremely tough and good for the price.
I have tried daiwa but found they haven,t been as good as shimano.
Cheers
sam

[Chamelion]

I own

2x Penn Captiva
1x Fin-Nor Ultraquest

I prefer the Fin-Nor, it's a MUCH smoother reel. The Penns tend to leave me with a very sore wrist after a few hours of lure fishing.

I intend to try a shimano next.. Something around $200~

Matt.