Spinning Reels

[DanS]

Get one of the Shimanos in the 2000 or 4000 series. I like the 2000 series for steelheading, but the 4000 series provides better line capacity so you can use heavier line for salmon fishing.

Get one of the models with front drag and NO QUICK-FIRE lever. You'll curse that friggin' thing over and over. The Sahara, Stradic, Symetre are good....the Sustain and Stella are sweet but cost too much for me to even consider.

Spool it with limp line. If you're like me, you'll like your levelwind better, but I consider them a necessary evil for float fishing.

[Steelheadman]

I have a couple of Stradic 4000's. Can put heavier line on it when the springers are in. However I'm a drifter. Occasionaly I'll throw on a spinner, spoon, or float, maybe a even a jig. Sounds like float fishing bait or scented jigs work well too. I need some practice in this area. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[Jeffhead]

Stradic 2000 is a sweet reel!!! Just don't load it with 12lb Ultragreen eh Dan!! [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] That is unless you like to have the line explode off of the reel every cast. [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]
Good luck and tight lines, Jeff [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[ 03-26-2001: Message edited by: Jeffhead ]

[Tanner]

I have been using a Daiwa Regal for the last 2 years on my bobber rod. About 70 bucks. It has been very dependable and I have not lost a fish yet due to drag deficiencies or other reel failure. Keep in mind I use 8 lb line for Winter Steelhead so a smooth drag is a must.

[Scaup]

Thanks for all the great information. That's what I like about this board, it always encourages you to try something new.

[RichH]

How about the Spirex? I've been thinking about buying a couple for side drifting and if anyone has experience, good or bad, I'd love to hear it.

shimano symetre 4000 is a great reel, i have to agree with salmonator on this issue.

[blacktail]

I like the Stradic 2000 for Steelies. I spool mine with 8 lb. test. With heavier line, capacity might be an issue. For me, the 4000's are a little heavy. I have often wished they made a 3000.

Mike

[Fishin Magician]

Rich- I own a couple of spirex2000 and love them especially with the fighting drag. Its a tough reel to beat for the price, About $20.00 less that the semetre. Never lost a fish due to reel failure ~John

[First Bite]

I'll add another vote for the Symetre. I have three and they have been used hard and have never failed.

[Salmonator]

Just some notes to compare from Cabelas, all are 4000 front drag prices...

Spirex, $59.99 no superstopper anti-reverse (an important feature to me)
Symetre, $84.99 has all the do-dads
Stradic, $114.99 has all the do-dads + one more bearing than the symetre and the cool wooden handle.

I've found the rear drag models aren't as smooth as the front drags and appear to be cheaper for some reason.
http://www.cabelas.com

[Shannon]

I use a Spirex 4000 RB and have smocked dozens of springers as well as years worth of Steelhead. Still going strong. It has the drag adjustment in the rear, which I prefer because as I'm about to land a fish I'm constantly on the drag and don't like placing my hands around the front of the reel. It has an anti-reverse and comes with a spare spool as well. I like the double handle on the reel. It makes it easier to grab when your banking fish solo.

Great buy. I told the wife today I was going to score another one for my new Loomis.

[Scaup]

In the thread about jig fishing several people state the best way to fish them is with a spinning reel.

I personnally am a baitcaster and there have been several good discussions about baitcasting reels. I'm thinking about branching out my techniques and using a spinning reel. For those of you who use spinning reels, which ones do you like and why?

[Salmonator]

Shimano Symetre 4000 is the best mid priced reel imho. It has most of the features as the more expensive reels (at least the important ones). I've abused three of them over the last three years and they've held up great.
Joe

[RJ]

http://www.pennreels.com/ pretty tough to beat in my opinion used the 712 z spinfisher up in Alaska last aug. it got a good workout and never missed a beat. RJ

[Osprey]

I've fished my Spirex 2000 for at least 5 years now not 1 problem,I normally run the 8lb Ande Flogreen for all steelies ( landed a 28lb Springer last year on my float rod)

I recomend keeping it full of line,although you can land fish with less than 40 yards spooled......Just don't recomend it........Os

I have a Stradic 4000FG and after reluctantly going to a spinning reel for bobber fish I must say it is without a doubt a pleasure to fish. I alo have the old two tone green Cardinal 4. The old Cardinal series from the 70's proves the Zebco actually did manufacture something decent at one time.

[DanS]

When going for the bigger Satsop fish, Os recommends using 40 FEET of line. He says any more than that is a waste [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[Bongo from BC]

I am still amazed at how many fisherman use spinning reels for steelheading/salmon fishing...

Spinning reels are for children. Get a baitcasting reel by Abu or Shimano; if you reely want to feel what it is like to fish...go all the way with drift gear and get a Centrepin float reel with a 11 ft rod. Or a fly outfit...a nice 8 wt. Anything smaller..use a lght fly rod...you will catch more fish and it will be more fun,


Sorry if I seem snobby...I am not...It's just that spinning reels are for kids; or folks who do not know how to fish,

[img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[B. Gray]

Spoken like a true Canuck. Yes, baitcasters or centerpins are better for some styles of fishing but they can be a real pain for casting very light lines and little or no weight. If I'm tossing a big chunk of lead and a pink worm beneath a 5" dink float and 15-20lb mainline I'll take the setup you speak of.

If I'm tossing an 1/8th oz jig on 10# test with no other weight I'll take a spinning reel any day - preferably something in the Shimano 4000 series because I think the line comes off the bigger spool better. I got a Stradic as payment for a job I did awhile back and it's the cat's meow. Worked a lot better than the typical Canadian setups we saw up on one of the Vancouver Island rivers a couple weeks ago. Why limit yourself to one style or technique?

Anyway, that's my take. I'm a newcomer here but I just wanted to say I really like this board and am glad to see you guys moving beyond infighting, for the most part.

Regards,
Bruce

[Son of an Okie]

Now, that's great Bungo from BC. YOUR way is the ONLY correct way. Snobby? Yeah, regardless of the counter claim. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] I happen to use both spinning and casting type reels depending on WHAT I FEEL LIKE FISHING WITH THAT DAY, not what other people feel like I should fish with. I doesn't have ANYTHING to do with whether I know how to fish or not, or my age, or any other of your arrogant BS ideas. Sorry to the rest of you for this response, I'm just sick of this kind of attitude toward the way other people do things. [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

I fished Son of an Okie for six years out of my boat, when he did use ONLY spinning reels. He has caught as many or more Chinook and Steelhead than ANY JOKERS LIKE YOU Bongo, so I can attest to "what a bunch of arrogant BS!" [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[ 03-27-2001: Message edited by: ****** ]

Hey Bongo don't come on this board with that kind of arrogant attitude we don't want it here.
Stew