A Great Spin Casting Reel For Anglers On A Budget!

This review took a year to complete. Last year in 2016 i purchased 2 Shimano Nasci spinning reels, the 2500 & 3000 for under $100ea. I spooled 300yd of 5lb Power Pro braid on each (roughly the diameter of 1lb monofilament line). During the past year both units we're paired with Okuma's #792L T-40X Steelhead Spins at 7'9"ea. Light rated for 6-12lb mono using 1/4-1/2oz weight.

For the past year i used both sets day & night spin casting "whipping" off sand, jetties, rocks, reef benches & cliffs using soft grubs for smaller game. I easily accumulated +100lbs of fish on both sets with +100hrs also on each set. I mostly hooked Barracudas, Scads, Wrasses, Reds & Trevallys. Even during the day a variety of reef species we're being caught since the diameter of the braid was thin & hard to see. At night it didn't matter. With these rigs the largest fish i brought in was a 8lb Blue Fin Trevally. My main goal was targeting Scads at night between 8-12in.

After i fish i clean my rigs on-sight using a water filled spray bottle. When i get home i lightly re-rinse the rigs in the shower using warm water spray (warm water permeates better then cold). Also the steam helps. I never subject my rigs to direct strong water pressure as that'll drive the salt into seams & crevices. For 1 year both reels haven't shown any signs of wear or decreased smoothness. Both reels have a "out-of-the-box" look yet. The rods also have no signs of corrosion on the guides.

For being under a $100ea these reels out-performed my Sedonas also by Shimano. If they do get stiffer to turn then a good cleaning is in order. A few months ago my 3K felt "sticky" but i re-greased it (no WD-40) and it's been fine ever since. I prefer the 3K over the 2500, same size bodies but the 3K spool is larger. I haven't tried the 1K or the 5K. I've heard good & bad reviews. A lot depends if you devote time to cleaning your equipment. If you do get a "questionable" unit bring it back to the vendor you bought it from, or call Shimano direct at 1-877-577-0600.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggIH1Rdrs0s

Is that the Shimano that doesn�t have the switch for free spool? If so, that is the design is useless to me. May be a goodset of ARB bearings, for salt use, but without the ability reverse the spool...no thanks...poor/cheap design IMO.

Free spool switch is just a feature and has nothing to do with design.
To me, it is standard "free spool" switch what I would consider as a "cheap design".
Real free spool is baitrunner! What is totally separate feature. More than half of my reels have it.
If you need this free spool feature, this Shimano Nasci reel is just not for you.
Also you might want to have a look @baitrunner (a.k.a. baitfeeder, bait n'run etc.).
Some of those reels have both features - baitrunner and free spool switch:
like this newest from Daiwa
Tight lines, bro!

I have a couple of the Nasci 1000s, use them on an ultralight rod and a stodgier 5'6" Medium powered St. Croix.

While I slightly prefer my CI4+ reels, these Nasci reels would only feel different to experienced anglers. I don't think a recreational or novice angler would even notice the difference.

On the recommendation of a reliable YouTube source, I bought a 4000 reel, a new one last year made by 13 Fishing, the Creed GT. It isn't half the reel compared to a Shimano in the same price range. I think I'll likely get a 4000 Nasci . . . maybe trade away the Creed GT.

Brad