Whats the Best high speed spin?

[Scott nthQld]

Just a quick question about a reel for my mackeral stick....

When I bought the combo I have now, it was in a bit of a rush to chase some mackeral. Got a good rod 7ft 4-8kg and I skimped on the reel due to funds. now I am going t keep the rod but upgrade the reel. I have a budget of up to $300 and was after, obviously, a high speed spin reel to suit I was thinking something in the 4000 size, or maybe a bit smaller, I'm not loyal to any specific make so all suggestions would be welcome although it may make the decision harder still.

The rig will be used mainly for casting slugs for macks, but will do the odd bit of work with plastics and good old reliable bait.

Is there a reel which would suit all types of fishing, or would I be better off increasing my budget and getting 2 reels, one for slugs, and the other for plastics?

Bear in mind, that there will be another rod on the way for exclusive plastics work, and the reel shoudl be able to suit that rod as well (rod will probably be the same as I have now)

[Fafnir]

I like the look of the Daiwa Sol 3000 for a soft plastics reel, not sure how it would go on the macks though.

[Jeremy87]

4000 sol (lower gear ratio means you need the bigger spool for daiwas) or depending on what you can get your hands on, a new stradic or an old sustain 4000.

[bayfisher]

4000 sol (lower gear ratio means you need the bigger spool for daiwas) or depending on what you can get your hands on, a new stradic or an old sustain 4000.

4000 sol? do you mean a 4000 tierra? The sol only go as big as the 3000.;D

Jeremy is right though for that money a 4000 or 5000 stradic or sustain is pretty good or a 4000 tierra or kix

Cheers Chris

[GPB]

The new Stadic 5000 sounds like the bees knees for Mac spinning, 5.7:1 ratio, 6BB, 195yds of 12lb mono and weighs 400 grams;D .

[Flattie Assassin]

Yer, i'll be interested to see how the new lightweight mg stradics stand up to the big macs??

I'd buy a 4000 twin power. I lurve the twinnies...

[GPB]

Flattie Assassin, the Stadic FI series are Aluminium, I don't think the mg reels are in Aus at all and only go up to 3000 size.
I use three Twinpowers [love them] but the 4000 only has a ratio of 4.8:1 and is a bit slow for slugs, the 6000 has 5.7:1 but weighs 595 gms which makes a top 10kg spin reel:) .
The Stradie 5000 fills a gap for 5-6 kg spinning, and for Scott is under the $300 mark, I am interested in getting one and retire my old Tica Camry 4500 6.3:1 [yes, still going after 6 years]:o .

[Seahorse]

i just bought an okuma 6.2.1.
put it on 8ft ugly stick 6-8kg.
gave it a few casts on thurs and with the whippy tip on the rod, it sure went a long way.
the reel was real smooth. didnt hook anything but.
reel cost $99 and rod was $90

cheers
greg

[Ryan.S]

I know you said 300 bucks, but I use the Diawa Fuego for my slugs, also great for plastics and bait. I use it for all 3. Its a top alrounder. Cost me 430 but. Cmon, CMON.

[Jeremy87]

4000 sol? do you mean a 4000 tierra? The sol only go as big as the 3000.;D

Jeremy is right though for that money a 4000 or 5000 stradic or sustain is pretty good or a 4000 tierra or kix

Cheers Chris

I feel silly now, could have sworn i'd seen them in 4000 sizes but apparently not, yeh a tierra will do the job nicely::) . but i have to say the drag on my sustain is still smooth as so i still think the shimanos are better in that respect. For myself this summer I've ordered one of the new 4000 fd stellas. 5.8:1 gear ratio and only 278 grams, should be an awsome inshore spinning reel.

[candogu]

I feel silly now, could have sworn i'd seen them in 4000 sizes but apparently not, yeh a tierra will do the job nicely::) . but i have to say the drag on my sustain is still smooth as so i still think the shimanos are better in that respect. For myself this summer I've ordered one of the new 4000 fd stellas. 5.8:1 gear ratio and only 278 grams, should be an awsome inshore spinning reel.

When looking for fast retrives,,,, don't just look at gear ratio's... a sol 3000 with a gear ratio of 4.7 pulls in more line than a the new 4000 fd stellas with a 5.8:1gear ratio.. What you should be looking at is "Line Per Handle Turn"

Noel

[Jeremy87]

When looking for fast retrives,,,, don't just look at gear ratio's... a sol 3000 with a gear ratio of 4.7 pulls in more line than a the new 4000 fd stellas with a 5.8:1gear ratio.. What you should be looking at is "Line Per Handle Turn"

Noel

yeh i'm confused now, 2008 buyers catalogue lists the 4000fd as a 5.8:1 but the shimano web site says 4.8:1 wonder which ones right

[GPB]

The StradicFI 5000 [5.7:1] retrieves 37 inches or 925mm per crank of the handle.;D

The StellaFB/FD 4000 [4.6:1] retrieves 29 inches or 725mm, and is a lot more than $300, and the Sol retrieve is very similar.:-/

If you want to go bigger the StradicFI 6000 and 8000 [5.7:1] has a 42 inch 1050mm retrieve, or the fastest retrieve of all the Diawa Emblem Pro [5:1] with a 46 inch / 1220mm retrieve per crank, but weighs in at 670gms and more suited to 10-15kg spinning.:)

The new Stadic FI also have Propulsion line management which aids casting, and is rated to 11kg of drag, not that you would need that on a Spotty Mac.::)

The Stradics in my opinion are purpose spinning reels, like the good old TSS4 and the Emblem pro where there is a need for speed, and at a good price.;D ;D

[poundalead]

I use a 4000 Stradic for chucking slugs. No problems with this reel and had it for 2 years...

Cheers Benny

[lippa]

new stradics? tell me more, i love the reels but that colour!!!!!!!!!

[Bad_Bubby]

yeah I'd strongly consider getting a stradic 4000 if thats your maximum size limit. The old stradics are selling cheaply at the moment so keep an eye out for them. I saw them going for $160 on the weekend. They are a versitile reel that suit your requirements.

[husserhunter]

tell me wear you seen them that cheap B-B please:o cant get them that cheap wear i am

[Scott nthQld]

thanks for all the replies guys, but you've all put me into a bit of a pickle, with so many options, now you've got me thinking I could end up spending more than originally planned, not to mention its still left me undecided on which way to go, so many possibilities.......now I'm just more consufused...

But never mind, with all you suggestions, and plenty of time on my side, I'm sure I'll pick one, or two, or 3......

[wheezer]

if you wanna stretch the budget a bit look at the daiwa catalina 4500H, it can be found on some jap sites at a reasonable price with our exch rate so good. basically a watered down saltiga but still has the important bits. should last you forever