Which 2500 size reel

[rando]

I have $100-150 dollars to spend , I want a 2500 size reel to mount on a 2-5kg spin stick , , to fish the Gold coast estuaries , bit of HBs/slugs, bit of SPs , General light estuary work.

Can some of you tackle junkies give me a few models to look at in that price range. Like everyone I want the most reel for the least dollars

I have a Sahara that I use in the bay and it performs well ,but what else is available
This is will be a birthday gift for my nephew


thanks for your advice in advance
rando

[Fishin_Dan]

Gday mate! Long time no speak

For that money, you can get yourself a Shimano Symetre. (Should be about $120) They are a fantastic reel, and cannot recommend them enough. Really nice drag on them, and are really smooth when winding. I've got 3 of these in the 1500 size if you wanna come over for a beer and have a look at them.

There would also be some nice Daiwa's around that price, but I've never had really used Daiwa, so someone else will be able to suggest them.

Catch up with you soon.

Dan

[TheSaint]

The Shimano Symetre would be a good reel in that price as it is basically a Stradic or another reel out of the daiwa range would be the Exceler Plus or if you want to stretch the budget a Tierra..

[Horse]

In that price bracket I would look at the Penn Affinity range. They compare well to the next level of offerings from Shimano and Daiwa. Most reels from the major manufacturers would fit the bill.
Neil

[rando]

Gday Dan

Mate glad to hear from you , where ya been?? I thought you must have died or something.
Thanks for the heads up on symetre, what time are you home Ill stop by for a beer and catch-up.

Horse thanks
Ill look at the Infinity as well . The manufacturers seem to be flooding the market with models, particularly in the low/middle range, its hard to know which is the value proposition.

Saint
I don't have any Daiwa in my kit ( not by intention, just happened that way) I should try them out though, thanks for the suggestion.

[davo]

The Symetres don't last as long as the equiviant Daiwas. My mate has a 2500 and it's near death after 3 1/2 year fishing snapper on plastics. My Daiwa Laguna is the same age etc... and still going strong. The new Excelers are a far better reel, better drag, bigger gears, bigger bearings for the same money. My mate has now changed over to Daiwa and is much happier.

[the gecko]

The shimano and diawas are the obvious choices.

Also worth a look is the Penn Captiva, with baitrunner feature. I got one for $80 on ebay, 2 weeks delivery time from malaysia.

Best bang for buck has gotta be the Abu Impact combo. Graphite rod with 2500 reel for $75. Mines 2 yrs old, and still like new. My plastic fishing jumped a level when I found out the graphite rods were so sensitive. My old rods were so sloppy.

Andrew