Anyone have a go to for spinning reels for the salt? Just want something that can hang onto reds and others and not be too expensive. Preferably around $75?

Thanks

Well, I might have just stumbled onto my answer...

http://www.saltwaterspinningreel.net/guide/top-saltwater-spinning-reels-for-under-100/

Your best bet is the Shimano Sahara 2500 or 3000. Or a shimano symetre 2500 for alittle more.

My wife and I bought 2 Penn Pursuit 5000's four years ago and they are still in service. (Used them again today). We rinse them after each trip. We fish approx. 25 times a year minimum. I take them apart and clean / oil them twice a year. Never a problem. We have caught up to 40" Redfish and 35" Kingfish, as well as Trout, Flounder, Sheepshead, and much more with these reels. We have them on 7 ft. Medium Action Ugly Stik's. and we are super happy with them.

Just my .02

I've got a fleet of brands. When I buy another it will be an Okuma.

Shimano spinning reels.

I made up a saying about them: "They can take a dunking and keep on chunking."

Especially when you run a professional Guide Service and don't want to spend all night, every night, cleaning your reels.

When an angler wade fishes the bays, then the surf, then back to the bays all in a few days, that's an important value about a Shimano, IMHO.

Penn, Shimano, and Okuma can all fill your bill. I have a couple of Okumas that have held up well over several years in the salt for the wife and friends, and for me on those rare occasions when I put down the fly rods, and they are the brand I look for now when I need to purchase a spinning reel.

Hey Pat which model are you using from okuma.

Stratus has worked perfectly for three years Tri speed is a year old and working good. I liked shimanos fine but they started getting inconsistent. Same aged reels two are fine and two are worthless. I baby them too cleaned and lubed every day.

I've gone all Penns recently. Have had the old Pursuits for a few years, no failures. I also have a couple Pursuit 2s and they have done well for a year or so.

I don't wade fish, but if I was, I would probably make the investment into a Spinfisher V. I got two for surf fishing and they are flat out great reels for the money.

Shimano stradic

I fish 3 or more days per week year round, and I have a 4 year old Penn Sargus 2000 that has caught tons of Snook, Tarpon and Redfish.

Penn. The old saying goes that you can use a Penn as an anchor one day and fish with it the next. I took an old penn that hasn't been fished in 7 to 8 years all it needed was a new pawl and that was it. No ruff gears, wind problems ect. I've got a few big surf reels thatvim.part have had to service over the years but only because I've used them alot. Shimano makes a good reel in the strain and even the lower end spirex but penn has always been my go to.

Take a look on Ebay at the older Penn reels: 4400ss, 5500ss, 6500ss. All American made. Been using 4400ss for years.