Help choosing budget spinning reel I think I’ve narrowed the search.

I’m a bait caster guy, but I’ve picked up a spinning rod for weightless lures/skipping. Not knowing if I’ll even like using it and my budget right now has me stuck around $100 on a reel. I think I’ve narrowed it to the Lews custom pro speed spool, or the Shimano Nasci fc.

The reviews seem good on both, but I’ve only been able to handle the lews. Any opinions? I think Id like the aluminum frame better, but it’s not a deal breaker. Or if both are junk let me know.

I don’t tournament fish or have a boat to start so spending $250 plus doesn’t make sense really. It’s going on a Tac-40 rod I got on sale.

Would you go 2000/2500 or 3000? I’ve read so much I’ve gotten myself so I can’t decide since there’s not a ton of difference between them.

Lews

Shimano

Don't ignore the Pfleuger President. It's usually around $60. Very fine reel for the money. I have three of them plus some fairly high dollar others and I use them interchangeably. The Revo X is also a good $100 reel.

I like the 3000 size reels but I have a couple 2500's. They work just fine.

The two you named would be good choice also.

I had a Lews custom pro speed spool, seemed good at first, after about a year the paint on the body got soft and sticky.
Contacted Lews and they basically said tuff sh1t,..threw it in the trash..

I like my Presidents.

I have several Daiwa's.......... I like all of them.You got a $100 to spend buy a BG,in my humble opinion you won't find a better reel under $250.I also have a couple Revros in the 3000 size I absolutely love,they've caught everything from crappie to 10 lb hybrids and for $100 you could grab two.

Best deals on BG's I've found to date.........3000 for $99.99 or the 2500 for $$89.99

http://www.srmo.com/

http://www.srmo.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?

I’ll be honest now I’m really back to having no clue what to get 😆

If it were me, I'd get the Shimano. They are always worth their price.

Lews are good but I don't like their spinning reels.

What length, power and action rod are you putting it on? That will determine the reel size.

Whichever you choose, I doubt they come in both 2500 and 3000. Either would be perfect for your needs, IMO.

As far as recommendations, it's so beneficial to handle them beforehand. If that's not an option, here's my 2 cents worth:

Shimano Sahara ($80) is a reel I really like. I just like the feel of the shimano's over the Pfleugers (and I really wanted to like the Pfleugers). Looks like the Nasci is a step up so I think that's a solid choice.

I recently bought a Bass Pro Carbonlite 2.0 spinning reel which is made by Daiwa. A Daiwa Exceler LT is what i was told by Daiwa. The Exceler LT's run $80-90 so I think a Daiwa in that price range would be a great choice for you as well.

I'm in the same boat as you are. I love to fish but don't own a boat or fish tournaments so spending much more than $100 on a spinning reel (or $200 on a baitcaster) would be rare for me.

Good luck with your decision. I think there are quite a few good choices out there in your price range.

Whatever I get is going on a 7’ medium mod/fast rod.

With bait casters I know what to get, spinners seem really hit and miss.

I fish tatula ctr and curado bait casters. I like the daiwa Procyon al but it’s a little more than I want to spend and I hear it’s a year wait for Daiwa parts now.

The aluminum frame seems like the way to go, lots of people talking about flex in the other materials.

I'll echo some of the sentiments above:
Stay away from Lews spinning reels
Pflueger President ($60) and Daiwa BG ($100) would be my choices.

I like the 3000 size for bass fishing.

Shimano! Spirex 2500. 59.00 and will last a life time. One handed casting. Dyna balance. Smooth drag. I love all of mine!

I've tried different ones over the past 40 years and Shimano is my favorite. I use the 2500 Shimano and have never had any issues!

I have Stradics, Presidents (xt), and Fuegos - Stradic is nice, but the Fuego feels great and works just well. I would take a Fuego over the President.

Daiwa Revros.

I agree on the Pfleuger.

For $100, either the Nasci 2500 or the Fuego 2500. I have both and fish them equally. The Stradic/Vanford is over twice the price of either and I like both the Nasci and Fuego as much as the higher priced reels.

Shimano. I also threw my Lew spinning reel in the trash.

Shimano for sure.

What did you end up purchasing?