Spinning Equipment

[MarkW]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON May-24-06 AT 08:48PM (EST)[/font][p]Shimano reels---can't go wrong. I bought some Shimano Sahara's 2500 FB for $59.95 at Bass Pro and they have performed awesomely. Probably one of the best spinning reels for the money I have ever owned. With Shimano you can spend anywhere from around $15 to probably over $300 for a spinning reels. I feel the mid to less then mid price reels are great. Rods----there are way too many too list. I like St.Croix,Shimano,and Bass Pro to name a few. Guess it kind of depends on what you will be using the spinning set-up for?

[MarkW]

I forgot to mention Lamiglas rods. I bought a 6' medium spinning rod from Bullfrog Creek in Louisville and I really like it. It's the first one I ever owned and it's a good one.

[chadyoung2]

Ive got a Shimano reel right now. It was smooth for the first year. But now its ruff when you reel in the line. Mabey I will try Oil!!!

[plowboy]

Like MarkW said, Shimano is very hard to beat in the spinning reel department. I have had $15 Shimano's and fought countless fish including 10-15 lbs stripers and they lasted for years and this was a reel with no ball bearings (just bushings). As you go up the Shimano line they get smoother and more dependable but even the cheap ones are great. You can get a lemon in anything though but I never have. As far as rods go I fish long rods (6'-7') with a good backbone but a soft tip. The long rod and soft tip will cast a small lure so much better than a shorter rod. Most of mine are 7' or longer. Now if your creek fishing the long rod will mess you up with the over hanging limbs. As far as brand name on a rod goes there are alot of good spinning rods out there. Make sure not to get one not too stiff but one that has some back bone. Make sure the lure and line weight on the rod match what you are using. If you are casting 1/8 to 1/4 lures on 8 lbs line which is normal for a spinning reel make sure the rod is made for that size bait and line. Thats all I know to tell you, best to buy from a place with an easy return policy in case you don't like it. If you order rods the shipping is high and you have to pay to ship it back it you don't like it. Best to buy where you can get your hand on it and see if you like the feel of the outfit. Best of luck!

[kyriver]

Daiwa is by far the best spinning reel made, better drags just overall better reels, I used to use Shimano years ago but once you go with a good daiwa reel you won't go back, if you do get one, get one with the front drag.

[kc]

I agree with you on Daiwas. I have tried several Shimano spinning reels through the years and haven't found one that felt right to me although I use Shimano casting reels almost exclusively. I have been buying the Daiwa SS II and Team Daiwa spinning reels and they are super-smooth, have the best drag I have ever seen on a spinning reel, and absolutely do not twist the line. Plus I have been buying the 1500 and 2000 series reels and in both model sets the spools are interchangable (between models and size) meaning I can use any spool on any reel. I carry several spare spools of every line size from 4 to 12 which can go on any of my spinning outfits. I can't tell you how wonderful that flexibility is with line on reels. For spinning reels it's Daiwa all of the way for me on Loomis rods.

kc