I currently only use a spinning reel for the convenience of not having to deal with backlashes. I know how to use a baitcaster but has been several years since I've fished with them. I have a cheap Shakespeare reel that I bought as a combo from Dicks Sporting Goods. I caught a decent sized fish on it last weekend (almost 4 lbs) and it barely handled it to the point where I couldn't hardly get the thing to keep reeling as the fish fought like hell. Now it feels like it's grinding when you reel it, and every lure now feels like I'm towing a boat anchor.

Time to get a new reel. So should I just get back in the habit of using a baitcaster, or is there a top knotch spinning reel that is just as good as a baitcaster without spending $400 to get comparable quality? I'd say $150-$200 is what I'd be willing to spend.

Also, any recommendations of the make/model of either type of reel? I only bass fish, I don't have the kind of money to have a rod/reel for every different type of lure so I need something that will work well regardless of what I'm fishing with. I'm leaning towards just buying a baitcaster and knocking the rust off but wanted to get other opinions.

in that price range you will get a nice reel.
or should I say, for that money you BETTER get a good one or back it goes!

I have had some 70-90 buck spinning shimanos and okumas for going on 5 years, and they work fine. one even spent time under water.
with that, I would not spend over 80-90 on the spinning reel, keep it for light lures/weightless worms.
baitcasters for everything else.

consider keeping an older baitcaster in the locker/bag ready to go on a rod, when you birdsnest a reel.

Shimano Symetre is very nice for about $100.

symetre foe all spinning and team diawa for baitcasters. alwayed served me well.

For over 10 years(after i sold my SHIMANO STRADIC 4000 because after one season in salt water start to don't work right)i was fishing just with DAIWA WHISKER SS TOURNAMENT 1300 and SS 700 without problem in salt water,catching a lot of nice fish.
The new reel is about $100,but you can buy use reel in good condition with half price..

You can always shop online. I normally hit two places when looking for reels. Bought my favorite Abu Garcia from this site, 4601 Royal. I have had it for 10 years now. Only having to replace the frame once due to damage from a move. Check them out, you might find something you like

www.ffo-tackle.com

or

www.gofishin.com

I love my Stradic FJ

I love mY over 10 DAIWA WHISKER SS TOURNAMENT(700,1300 ,1600,2600) reels ad i don't care about SHIMANO STRADIC 4000(made in Japan !!!),because i have that reel and i was not so happy like with SS TOURNAMENT 1300(made in Japan) !!!

Where can one find the Daiwa 1300 Japanese ones.....newer ones made in China...

Ive never hada problem with mmy abu garcia reels. I just bought my revo sx40 and havent tested it yet. So far it seems nice.

You can find in e-bay some SS1300 ,used but in very good condition(made in Japan).Majority of my SS TOURNAMENT 1300 i was buying in e-bay ,used ,but in good condition and work for the last 10 years without problem.

Thanks Jean....I got off of eBay a SS Tournament 2600 (made in Japan).....now to fish!

Shimano Stradic is a tank of a spinning reel