FS Digest

Hey guys, so I was looking at reels in the 1500 to 2500 range for spinning reels, and I was planning on buying a spinning reel in this size range and then going and replacing all the bearings that I can with some fancy dancy boca or hedgehog ceramic bearings.

I have looked through Daiwa's, Shimano's, Pflueger's, Ardent's, Quantum's, Lew's, Penn's, and Okuma's spinning reel catalogues and I feel like I keep coming back to the Daiwa BG spinning reel. I use a Shimano Sedona pretty often, in fact I have caught most of my catches so far with it, from little bitty white crappie all the way to a "not quite 6lb but close enough" pb bass. It has served me well, really well actually.

Thing is, it's technically not my reel. I bought it for my mother, so I want a spinning reel in this range I can call my own and do what I want with it, since I don't think my mother would like me going in and messing with her spinning reel, plus like I said earlier, I want one to call my own. Any recommendations at all are welcome and encouraged.

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by JohnMyLasagna

FS Digest

Pflueger President

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by Mason_GR

FS Digest

Okay thank you for the suggestion..

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by JohnMyLasagna

FS Digest

What are you working with in terms of a budget?

Spinning reels don’t really benefit from ceramic bearings in the way that casting reels do. Unless you’re either replacing poor quality bearings with corrosion resistant bearings or installing a bearing in place of a bushing or something it’s pretty unnecessary. The extra money spent on bearing upgrades would be much better spent towards the actual reel purchase itself.

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by Mthrillah

FS Digest

I thought they benefitted about the same, thanks for letting me know that spinning reels dont benefit as much as casting reels. As for budget, I wouldn't want to go over $250ish for a reel to be honest.

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by JohnMyLasagna

FS Digest

A spinning reel doesn't benefit from a bearing upgrade because the spool is stationary. Really, the only mod you can do to a spinning reel is upgrading the drag to carbon fiber if it came factory with oiled felt, but that's about it. Most spinning reels above the $100 price point already come with a carbon fiber drag.

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by redmeansdistortion

FS Digest

As someone who loves to mod and tinker around I can definitely sympathize with the urge.

With that budget you’ll have some great reels to cross shop. The $180-$200 mark is where the manufacturers start including tech that makes the jump past $100 really worth while.

The Shimano Stradic FK or Ci4+ is really hard to ignore at that price and would be my first choice.

If you’re not opposed to stepping up to a 3000 size reel the Daiwa Saltist Back Bay is somewhat of a hidden gem and a great value. It sits somewhere in between the Tatula LT and Ballistic LT models as an inshore reel, but in my experience has a much smoother and refined feel similar to the Stradic.

If you decide to keep it under $100 the Daiwa BG would be my choice there.

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by Mthrillah

FS Digest

I’d start looking at JDM Daiwa or Shimano options. Daiwa Certate if you can find the previous model on discount, add a bit and you might be able to source a previous model Daiwa Exist.

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by CraigThor

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

I love to tinker too, but I have learned a long time ago to "Leave it to the expert". I don't even clean my reels anymore, I "Leave it to the expert". My favorite reel, and the best reel that I have ever had is the 3000 Shimano Stella. I bought it when they first came out and paid $750.00 for it and it was money well spent. Not according to my wife though! That reel done everything that I have asked of it, but I don't use it on saltwater. If fishing inshore saltwater I use my 4000FG Shimano Stradic and off shore I will use my 6000 Penn Battle II.

Crooked Hook

I use the Diawa Bg series. Unless you want to spend the big bucks, I think it is the best bang for the buck. Also look at Kastking. I have two baitfeeders that perform well.

dafjib Loc: Asheville ,N.C.

If you want a great reel from a great Co. Go with Florida fishing Products reels and products . I have used all the brands in my 60+ yrs and these reels compare with the high end name brands . And they have all the sizes you need ,but I would go small cause they have such great drag systems . And the Co. helps the fishing cause .I found the 2500 great for fresh and salt water inshore and small surf fishing .Hope this helps.