Reel Help

Ok guys, gals, i need some help. Had a buddy that lost some fishing equipment...so I loaned him a couple rod/ reels (not my boneheads, but the rods did have Stradics attached). So, I decided that I want to give him the rods, with some decent reels attached (not my Stradics)...I am out of touch with new reel offerings these days. Indeed, last year after recommending any Shimano reel with 3 or more bearings, I was outraged to discover the offerings of Shimano reels below the level of a Stradic were junk, and the new Stradics were not as good as earlier versions, IMO.

So, what I need to know, what are the best spinning reels out there in the $20-60 range? I am specifically asking about small reels...500, 1000, 1500 size range...smooth and durable. I am looking for the Timex option...cheap, reliable, durable. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

This spinning reel is on all 9 of my spinning rods. Fished it all over the country for all kinds of fish, including sight-fishing reds on the Texas Coast. Smooth drag and very durable:

http://www.grizzlyjig.com/p-604-pro-staff-spinning-reel.aspx

I use zebco's. I've had those hundred dollar penn's and they are good but the zebco's are ok for fishing 15 foot straight down.

The Fluegers That I bought 8yrs ago are still getting it done.....just saying

I like the Abu-Garcia 1000, Black-Max $29,

I have several Okuma spinning reels and love them. I also like Mitchell reels too. I have had some of them since I was a kid and they are still going strong. It is to each their own. It is what feels best for your taste. If you really like a brand and it has treated you well, go with that one. There is several out there that are good and will last.

Hope that helps.

I really love my Lew's Wally Marshall 75 spinning reel. It is very smooth and so far durable. Around 27 bucks on Ebay.

ditto.. That little white Pfluger they sell at Walmart is boolitprooph.....plus it resembles the older stradics.... It's a win win!!!

Pflueger Presidents can withstand several years of guiding and they are very well priced.

Ok guys, thanks for the suggestions...I went to Walmart, looked for the options that each of you suggested...no Flueger presidents or those BnN pro staffs (I was disappointed)...however they had two different sizes of the “little white Pflueger Reels” (Trion)...so I got one of each...size 20 and 30...definitely like the smoothness of the 30 better, but the 20 is a better reel than many 500 series I have used over the years....now I got to go get my Stradics back...

I am going check out the condition of my non Stradic reels, see if any need replacing...if so, they will be replaced with a President and a BnM Pro Staff...if you guys like them, I need to try them.

Incidentally, Laner...those rods you recommended to me back when I first met/fished with you are the rods, I am giving him...after much use/abuse from me...and they are still going strong...I got tickled the first time he used them...he called me and said, man those are good rods...I can actually feel the fish better. Thought you might like to know.

I have the Pfluger Trion 120 on all my crappie rods. Have yet to have one fail. My biggest fish so far on the little Trion is a 8.5# ditch pickle and for $30 a piece you still have money to go fishing. I'm through with Shimano.

Bush hog, I have many Shimanos, always tried to purchase a couple a year, for probably the last twenty years, the last five years I only purchased Stradics and on sale when I could find them...never had any issues with them failing, not once...lesser reels would get destroyed through use, abuse, or big fish, but not the Shimanos, they just kept taking the abuse and were always the best value regardless of brand.

Last year, I went to Cabelas to purchase a couple more, as well as compare some of the other offerings...It was like Shimano had taken a step backwards, for the first time in twenty years, they were not the best value, in fact I left thinking they were almost the worst value...I was so shocked I didn’t buy any Shimanos last year...when I got home I played around with some of my older reels, just to sort out my thoughts. It occurred to me that Shimano, had lowered their quality standards by one level, on each level of reel...which is usually a management decision to cut production costs, and increase profitability...Evidentially, they must think fishermen are stupid and wouldn’t notice...

Well, at the same time other manufacturers are increasing quality standards at a much better price point. So my delimina, do I step up to the Stella level or just go buy a dozen good reels of other brands that are almost as good as a Stradic, at a better price point. The silver lining, is I got plenty of Good Shimanos, I really don’t need anymore for a while, but eventually I will want some more to keep updating/improving my equipment...I have never considered Diawa on par with Shimano, but maybe they are now...I just know I really need to reconsider my position on Shimanos based on the junk they produced last year...and I don’t say that lightly. For me, it’s kind of like if your wife walks in and says she wants a divorce...it devastating. Basically, they went from a cut above to to an also ran due to a poor management decision inone year. In essence, they ruined their reputation with me.

Yumoshi EF1000 (12 bearings) smooth as glass& can be used in fresh or saltwater

What kind of rods are they?

It’s a reel Aqua...

Thanks Bonz, I’ll check them out...interesting, Bonz have you used them? Seems like a really low price point, will the last?

I purchased one ,tried it out.... now I have ordered Two more! Very smooooth reels.

Nice to hear there are some good options. Those 500 series Shimano's are getting as tough as hens teeth to find. They have served me well...lots of good crappie, bass to 9lbs and catfish to 20lbs.

I just ordered 4 Yumoshi EF1000 reels from aliexpress for just over $40 shipped.

They are INCREDIBLE reels for the $$!!! Unbelievable

How do the Yumoshi EF1000 12 ball Bearings reels perform in terms of anti reverse?

Is it an immediate stop?

Look here what I found!

ABSOLUTELY!!That is what sold me.Plus They are Beautiful reels!

Dog! Where did you sniff that up?

Forgive me ignorance but when it comes to size it gets very confusing is the EF 1000 the small reel suitable for Crappie ?

Yes, spinning reels usually run from size 500-1000-2500- etc..you get the idea..a 6500 is huge.

let's just say that there are some seedy pawn shops in Shreveport... Hahah

They offer a EF500 which is the smallest then comes the EF1000.