SpinningReel for Idaho Bass: I am just trying to improve my fishing spectrum and taking up some bass fishing. I bought 2 7’ Med Rods and 10 lb braided but am a bit confused about...

Cybersnow Loc: McCall, Idaho

I am just trying to improve my fishing spectrum and taking up some bass fishing. I bought 2 7’ Med Rods and 10 lb braided but am a bit confused about reels. It seems every website claims a different number one spinning reel. I would like to keep around $100 each. Any suggestions?

audigger53 Loc: Severn, MD

OK, first with 10# line I would be looking for reels that have 8-10 # drag max.
Next question, bait or lures? Also Open face (best guess from your statement) or Bait caster?
To be honest I would start out with maybe Ebay and older Garcia Mitchell reels. The 406 is 5.0 to 1 retrieve.
Yes, I still have and use the one I bought back in 1970. LOL I have other reels since then, but still use it.
If you do buy an old reel take it to a shop to get cleaned and re-lubed. Unless you feel that you can do it with no problem. I tear mine reels apart on a 10 inch paper plate. That way the screws and mess are right there.
Just my thoughts for you. Check the drag and the retrieve of the reel you are thinking of. Good luck and hapyy Fishing.

Cybersnow Loc: McCall, Idaho

Thanks, sorry I was thinking of a spinning reel as i have a more experience with those. My trout reels are shimano and my trolling reels are Diawa, but have done saltwater years ago with penn.

Cybersnow Loc: McCall, Idaho

I was thinking in terms if a 2500 or 3000 sized reel. (Is 3000 too large?)

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Cybersnow wrote:

I was thinking in terms if a 2500 or 3000 sized reel. (Is 3000 too large?)

A 2500 is plenty of reel for a 7' medium rod and 10lb test. I use 2 like that for all my worming and light plastics. Any of the major brands make quality reels in the $75-$100 range. Good luck and Tight Lines.

audigger53 Loc: Severn, MD

Shimano? The 3000 should be Ok. My neighbor who doesn't fish gave me a Shimano Stradic 4000Fl that his wife won at a raffle, I like it. LOL Now why not Kast King? I haven't heard any thing bad about those.

From Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=kastking+fishing+reels&i=sporting&rh=n%3A3409711%2Cp_n_feature_four_browse-bin%3A24398113011&s=price-asc-rank&dc&adgrpid=1343603781224620&hvadid=83975474879879&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=51801&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-83975599262949%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=9685_13530842&qid=1708463125&rnid=386589011&tag=mh0b-20&ref=sr_st_price-asc-rank&ds=v1%3AEp0v0YjNm%2BkTH6DHMHTH29o2WXzVnkogvr1QqRszoqE

Take your pick. LOL
Also check EBay for new ones, from shippers in the states. I always do in the state shippers. Not biding, but "Buy it now" ones.
Look at the max drag/mono LB max. I think you would want 10 LB Max.
All under $50 on Ebay with shipping (or free shipping) like the 500 series maybe?
I have not heard anyone bad talk Kast King,

sawheeler52 Loc: Escondido, CA

Cybersnow wrote:

I am just trying to improve my fishing spectrum and taking up some bass fishing. I bought 2 7’ Med Rods and 10 lb braided but am a bit confused about reels. It seems every website claims a different number one spinning reel. I would like to keep around $100 each. Any suggestions?

Cybersnow,
My 2-cents from a bass guy (NYS & CA).
I have been a disciple of Shimano spinning reels for years & years; though these may stretch the budget.
All my rods are 7'2" - 7'4".
All are well mated with Stradic 4000s (spooled with 10# fluorocarbon). Love the combination.
I would not recommend using any reel less than the 3000 series with a 7' rod.
Admittedly, I seem to use equipment a bit larger than most of the guys I meet out there.
Now, back to the budget.
Here's an angle to consider.
Think of it as an investment for your children &/or grand kids.
I still use one that is pushing 30-years old.
Stephen

orion72 Loc: Southern Maryland

2500 vs 3000? The larger spool allows for more line and is directly proportional to the casting distance. I like the 3000 for my bass fishing rigs used for dropshot and weightless worms and maybe small crankbaits or swimbaits. I like 4000 size reels for striper fishing e.g., jigging, jerkbaits, and topwater plugs where I use exclusively braided line. The 1000 and 2000 size are normally used with ultralight rigs and for panfish. All the big name companies offer decent reels at the $100 price point. Look for sales. Pflueger, Shimano, and Diawa all offer good quality, although I have found that Shimano reels all come priced a little higher. Good luck. Btw, a buddy bought a Kast King reel that lasted one season. Not sure if it was just a lemon or what.

Cybersnow Loc: McCall, Idaho

I got a cast king rid and reel fir my son years ago. One day while making a cast, the reel broke off the rd and ended up on the lake. They may have improved their product but i hate to be 300 miles from a store and have that happen out on a lake.

audigger53 Loc: Severn, MD

Cybersnow wrote:

I got a cast king rid and reel fir my son years ago. One day while making a cast, the reel broke off the rd and ended up on the lake. They may have improved their product but i hate to be 300 miles from a store and have that happen out on a lake.

Didn't know that. I still use a Diawa 7700A I bought in 1978. But that is more for Salt water, and 20-40# Braid.
Oh, the Garcia Mitchel 406 I bought in 1970, still going strong, I did have to buy a new bail for it, my fault, bent it and a new Bail Spring.

DVTracker Loc: Harrisburg, PA.

Cybersnow wrote:

I am just trying to improve my fishing spectrum and taking up some bass fishing. I bought 2 7’ Med Rods and 10 lb braided but am a bit confused about reels. It seems every website claims a different number one spinning reel. I would like to keep around $100 each. Any suggestions?

I recommend PENN Fierce IV Spinning Reels, size 4000, for these reasons: you will be able to catch small and larger fish with it, has anti-reverse, good for saltwater fishing too, etc. Also, just an FYI-the larger the spool the easier the line will come off it... I have five 4000s with 20# braid and two with 10# mono and caught many different sizes of fish with them. The below info is from Bass Pro. Hope this helps.

TimFly Loc: Hacienda Heights, CA

orion72 wrote:

2500 vs 3000? The larger spool allows for more lin... (show quote)

I have a kast king spinning reel that I bought a few years ago. I us it exclusively for lite line surf fishing. I have not had any issues yet. I clean it thoroughly with fresh water after each use. It is a very smooth casting reel.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Pflueger President is an inexpensive, smooth, reliable reel for under $70
2500 or 3000 size will be fine. Plenty of drag and capacity.

Cybersnow Loc: McCall, Idaho

I see a few reasonably priced reels that also have a “live line” switch, is that of any use fir bass fishing?

audigger53 Loc: Severn, MD

Cybersnow wrote:

I see a few reasonably priced reels that also have a “live line” switch, is that of any use fir bass fishing?

By Live line, do they mean Bait Runner? IE 2 different drag settings you can switch between?