I have been looking at a few and just had to ask. What is your favorite type (brand, model, size etc) ultra light spinning reel and why?

Shimano Sedona 1000FD, although pricey it's a great reel. 5 ball bearings which gives it an awesome drag system and its 6lb test capacity is 110 yards which isn't common in an ultralight reel. Mine has also performed flawlessly with the occasional big bass or catfish while bream fishing.

Clicky

This is what I've read:

1) Shimano Stella ~ high quality, smooth, effortlessly turn the handle

2) Team Daiwa Fuego ~ waterproof (you can wash it underwater), strong construction but light, smooth

3) Pflueger President ~ for a cheap reel it's SEXY!, it has some of the feature of the more expensive reels like 8 to 10 ball bearings instant anti-reverse one-way clutch bearing, and more.

4) Penn Spinfisher SS Graphite ~ good for corrosion resistance and harsh conditions, cast smooth, fresh & salt water.

5) Quantum Energy PTi ~ SEXY & SMOOTH ! smooth: the casting, the retrieve, and the drag. It�s well balanced and strong.

6) Daiwa Regal 5iA ~ Ugly but tough, value for your hard earned dollar.

7) Shimano Sienna ~ long casts, anti-reverse with no backplay

8) Pflueger Trion GX ~ again SEXY! six stainless steel ball bearings, instant anti-reverse, one-way clutch bearing gives you instant hooksets all at a great price.

I own a few reels but the ones I use most are my Crappie Hunter Combo (Sheakespeare) and my Ugly Stik UL combo.

My Pflueger President XTs are the best UL - M spinning reels I've ever used. Smooth as silk, smooth drag with wide range, TOUGH, the ergonomics and feel is just right for my hands, etc.... I was using the Pflueger Trions before these and they are great reels also. Maybe the best UL spinning reel under $40 IMHO. Shimano UL spinning reels have neve impressed me. They don't fit my hands right, they don't feel as smooth and the ones I've had in the past were not very durable. Other folks love Shimano spinning reels and I'm sure they are great in other folks hands, but I just don't like them. I've had Mitchell reels in the past also and while they are a very smooth reeling reel, the drag is easily affected and can get rough quick. And, it's just not a very durable reel IMHO. Mid range Diawa and Quantum spinning reels are just not on par with the mid range Pfluegers, Shimanos and Mitchells IMHO.

If I were getting a new UL reel and I didn't know if I was gonna make UL fishing part of my regular routine, I would get a Pflueger Trion size 25. Not a big investment and great bang for the buck. If you plan on doing this for a while, a Pflueger President XT is the way to go IMHO. Hope this helps!

You cannot beat this combo:

Tiny Deadbolt found here: http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores...cle&Ntk=All

with this pole: http://www.poorfish.com/p-6038-eagle-claw-featherlight-ultralight-spin-rod.aspx

I'd have to say that MY favorite ulra-lite is my Pflueger Trion GX
mounted on a 5'6" Shimano Power ultra-lite rod. The reel is smooth
and with 4lb. test you can cast a "country mile".

Thanks for the info guys. I appreciate it as i am planning on investing on something that will last a good while. I am really leaning toward the Pflueger. I have Pinnacle Deadbolts and Browning Ultralights. They only have lasted me about 2 yrs at yrs at most. They have done pretty well considering the abuse my 5 yr old and 13 yr old put them thru. Will let ya'll know once i buy the new rod and reels.

A couple more for consideration ...

Here is a great deal that I am fighting right now as I have way too many outfits right now ...

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Fishing-Reels/Spinning-Reels%7C/pc/104793480/c/104760180/sc/104837580/Okuma-Avenger-A-Series-Spinning-Reels/1339421.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffishing-fishing-reels-spinning-reels%2F_%2FN-1102842%2FNs-MIN_SALE_PRICE%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104793480%253Bcat104760180%26WTz_stype%3DGNU

Also ... I got this reel when it was on sale for 1/2 price just before Christmas and for the money I think its hard to beat ...

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Fishing-Reels/Spinning-Reels%7C/pc/104793480/c/104760180/sc/104837580/Cabelas-Fish-Eagle174-Tournament-II-Spinning-Reel/728342.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffishing-fishing-reels-spinning-reels%2F_%2FN-1102842%2FNs-MIN_SALE_PRICE%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104793480%253Bcat104760180%26WTz_stype%3DGNU

Okuma = is another language for JUNK.

Two years ago I bought over $1,000 worth of okuma tackle, rods, reels, bags/luggage, tackle boxes, rod racks - ALL JUNK!

Lucky for me I've gotten it almost all sold off. Thank You Craigslist and eBay.

Last year I was carp fishing at L. Travis (sandy area) and I dropped one rod to get a double. The reel on the rod I dropped, shattered the rear drag.

I assume there was a reason (prize, special promotion, specialized gift card, etc.) why you would put that much into gear from a brand that you didn't like or didn't know if you liked it or not before you made the purchase.

I have one 3000 series Okuma spinning reel, can't remember which model off the top of my head ... got it on clearance at Academy for practically a give away price. So far I have had no problems and I like it a lot more than I anticipated. As for "rear drag" reels, personally I have never liked them and I have experienced more problems in general with them than with front drag reels.

Yeah, rear drags are definitely not my cup of tea either! They're not as smooth or as strong as a quality front frag. Just to many problems for too little performance.