INDIANANGLER

Recently Bobby had adviced to go in for Japanese/US/European/Thai/Korean (in about this sequence) manufactured spinning reels and avoid Chinese reels. Can we get the vote for the best reels we can buy in (a) sub US$100, (b) around US$150 category? Is buying a saltwater spinning reel a better idea as they are more robust in construction.

A robust reel is a good idea as many people still get into the habit on winching a fish at times.

Well engineered v/s overengineered, the difference boils down to cost, the more engineering that goes into the reel will always be a cost enhancing factor. I would go in for an over engineered reel if I could afford it, after all what is an over enineered reel, my take, it is something more robust with more features, but when "they" reffer to overengineered they mean more robust. So what species you target will come into play. Take for E.g. a Daiwa Saltiga, it is an overkill for Barramundi but you need it for those very large GT. I would rather have an overengineered reel than an under engineered one.

As far as spinning in Saltwater goes, the Daiwa Freams is my workhorse, I only have good things to say about this reem.

Penn Spinning Reels - BEWARE Albiet I still use my old SS450 for freshwater and light saltwater and it has never given me any trouble, but this is when these reels were made in the US. New ones are Chinese made.

Hi Bobby,

The Penn Conquer is also made in china so is the Salina.

After three years of loyal service from my Salina , it has become my lucky reel and is still working great. Have taken numerous (100’s) inshore fish on it including couple of big barras and a 17.5 Kg. grouper

My freams is made in Thailand and is as smooth as when I brought it 2 years back, sand and salt it has seen all but still works like new.

Honestly I also liked the Conquer (much better that the sargus I have). Very light smooth cranking with 10 BB and the drag is seriously good for the size. Let’s see how it holds up.

Santosh

Thanks for all the info. Does anyone have experience of using Quantum Boca & Catalyst PT Inshore Spinning reels. How do you rate these ?

I wouldn't bother trying to avoid reels that happen to be made in China, but I would definatly avoid low end cheap reels that are made there.
VanStaal, Shimano and many other top end manufacturers all have their gear built in Chinese factories and if the materials and quality control are up to the marque, there's nothing wrong with them.
Irrespective of where it is made, I would tend to go for reels with a good design and a decent track record of positive reviews.
Penn are a great example of a company that manufactures several models in several teritories and the end results are every bit as mixed as you might expect. Some of their gear is absolute junk and some is top quality workhorses - and it isn't always the price that dictates the difference.

Well perhaps Ken and Santosh are right, I have been staying away from them for so long that I have never tried the newer ones. The last China made Daiwa reel I purchsed for someone was about 6 years ago and I had to open and fix the thing after it was used about twice. And I have my China made Penn reels to remind me of how bad they are.

The stradic is a good and tested reel, no worries. My personal farvorites are penn slammer 560 i dont think that you for the money can find a more sturdy reel, it has survied thailand, the andamans and winter fishing in the baltic sea

I have a slammer 560 live liner.. I use it for surf fishing. very nice reel for the price I paid (abt 90 USD).. :))

HI Guys, just a few cents from me:

Over-the-top reels:

I met Adhek Amertha of Bali, last year. He's a well-known charter operator there, for mega GT bashing. Pak Adhek's GT poppers are now world famous. He swears by only two reels: the Saltiga and Stella. He's literally wrecked the others, including Safari and my favourite Spinfishers.

Reels for mere mortals (us!):

For extreme river fishing (jungle, rocks, timber, hard-headed mahseer!), I think the workhorses would be the Spinfishers (US made only), PennSlammers/Liveliners (yes, US only), Daiwa BG (Japan or Thailand), Finnow Ahab (#8 to #20, US only). They are heavy, and are thus suited more for bait-fishing. They are bullet-proof machines. The Ahab's drag is super smooth, even though it's only a piece of cork!

For casting lures: My favs are Daiwa Caldia Kix, Shimano Twinpower, Stradic, Technium. These reels lighter, drags are smooth and strong. You can cast lures all day. The Kix is especially light, and has survived three years of jungle river trips.

Bargain reels?

I normally go for mid-range or higher. You cant tell when that fish-of-a-lifetime's gonna take your lure, so your tackle better be up to it!

Still, I've had a few that went beyond their price tag: Sedona, Sahara, and Banax GT. I used a Banax GT 5000 on scores of mekong cats, testing my tackle to the limits. The angler lost...I needed Thai massage after that torrid weekend!

The old Sedona did very well too. I hooked a large spotted ray and played it for an hour (on 6-lb line, arrgh!). The reel 'sang' for all that time, as if nothing happened. It has my deep respect!

Hope this helps!

JB

Hi Guys,

Ashok is a fresh water guy - evident from his location. Most of you are looking at reels that fit the bill for Sea Fishing/Real Fishing (my personal view and respect for off shore fishing).

Something that can take 200 yards of 10lbs mono/20lbs braid is best for us - to keep flogging the water and that weighs not more than 10 oz. Of all the cheap reels I find Michell 300XE to be outstanding from carp to Catfish to Mahseer and below $50, its great and its got a long long lineage.

Cheers!!

Got to agree with Junglebum, he speaks my language...

Some of you may recall a discussion I was having with Jeen, where we were discussing the Stella and the Saltiga, I had made a comment that good GT's were being caught in the past as well, before these reels (something that Dilip i think reiterated recently). I have been witness to this with some Spinning reels like the US made Penn SS 850+ and reels like Daiwa BG90/GS9. While we could land the odd large GT with this suuff, we must realize that they would not stand up to the quality and quantity of GTs some of the guys have been landing recently something like what guys like Jeen and sons have.

For me any angler worth his salt, should not mess around with what JB has classified as bargin reels. They just do not prove to be economical in the long run or with that special fish you may hook up someday. So if you are a serious angler, I would advise you to save some more and invest in a reel that is tried and tested. I am not saying go in for a Stella or Saltiga but a good mid range reel should be what one should look at.

Junglebum is right. I have a drawer full of cheap reels. Sure they last a few seasons. But each fish left them a bit broken. Every time I look at them I realise my mistake. $50 more than a few times is a couple of very good reel.

I learnt my lesson the hard way. Now I save, wait and watch of sales and then something that is really top class.

That said there is one thing I have realised. After a certain price point the differences are really negligible.

If there is had to be one rule it would be don't buy cheap Chinese. However nice they look.

Hi

I have recently purchased a Shimano Solstace® FL Spinning Reel. It costed me Rs 3500 and i managed to catch an 18lb mahseer with it. I was using a 12lb line.

So, i guess u should go in for that.

Regards

Kunal

Hi Kppuri,

Maybe it will prove to be a good reel in the long run, however, without wanting to take anything away from your fish, perhaps it is a testiment to your skill, to this reel however, 1 fish is not what I would call tried and tested.

Regards,

Bruce