Best spinning reels for budget

[ContenderWays]

spheros for us = bgs are nice though.

[The BEAST]

I can tell you that I have fished the same Penn 4500, 5500, 7500 and 8500 SS in my charter business since 1994. I bought all 14 reels at the same time. Still the original spools, gears, and even the original drags. The only probelms that I have ever experienced are bail spring failures. They still work day in/day out. Not quite as pretty as they were in 1994 but very serviciable and will be catching Sailfish again this season.

Not sure about the Penn company anymore since it sold twice now (????) and most of the reels are made in China. Not sure if the SSm's are still made in USA.

Shimano Spheros is a tough reel to beat. I was going to upgrade my gear again this year until the economy slumped. I was going to go with all Spheros reels. They are solid performers.

BG's are good reels too and very low priced compared to the others. Just do maintenance a little more often paying close attention to the shaft nut under the spool which holds the arbor in place. It tends to work loose at the most unopportune times. Other than that, they are solid work horses too.

Who needs a baitrunner feature as long a Du-bro makes that little red line release clip that attaches on the rod above the reel spool. Adjust it with a light setting to only hold the bait, open the bail, and insert the line in the clip. When the fish strikes he only feels a slit second of minimal tension and then the line is in full free spool. Cost is $5 for a pack of 2. I have had bad luck with baitrunner style reels because you can't get the tnesion light enough to keep from alerting the fish that something is not right. The du-bro free spool method works at a cost of $2.50 per rod and is more convenient than the old bent wire. I have 10 years of proof.

[Bay Fishin]

the 6500 br has always worked well for me.

The finnor spiining reels are nice except for the fact that they are so big and bulky.

Spheros are super smooth and a great choice.

[ContenderWays]

Originally Posted by The BEAST

Who needs a baitrunner feature as long a Du-bro makes that little red line release clip that attaches on the rod above the reel spool. Adjust it with a light setting to only hold the bait, open the bail, and insert the line in the clip. When the fish strikes he only feels a slit second of minimal tension and then the line is in full free spool. Cost is $5 for a pack of 2. I have had bad luck with baitrunner style reels because you can't get the tnesion light enough to keep from alerting the fish that something is not right. The du-bro free spool method works at a cost of $2.50 per rod and is more convenient than the old bent wire. I have 10 years of proof.

I couldn't agree more. They come in handy big time. I use them when drifting for sails and such. But for kings I keep the drags locked up.

Do you slow troll with more tension on this clip?

[fishertom]

i have a pfluger contender with a star delux 7'2 20-40 very nice for dolphin and bottom fishing. also very good for tuna

[The BEAST]

Originally Posted by ContenderWays

I couldn't agree more. They come in handy big time. I use them when drifting for sails and such. But for kings I keep the drags locked up.

Do you slow troll with more tension on this clip?

I use the newer thumb screw type and set the tension just enough to keep the bait from pulling loose yet the slightest strike will set it free. For the most part I only need to change the tension if I change from Ballyhoo or Pilchards to the stronger Blue Runners or Gogs. Sometimes I trip them when I boost the throttles a bit to head off a "free jumper". Usually we trip the bails and then open them up again when we get to the "jump site".

With the bait runners I have used you can't get the tension light enough. When the fish stikes and begins pulling line 110 degrees over the rigger clip, then 90 degrees out of the rod tip, another 90 degrees over the bail roller and finally to the spool tension he is well aware that this bait is not natural. Free spool is the only way out of the riggers and/or kite clip. The flat lines free spooled after the strike are a sure catch. Gotta love that Du-bro system at the reel.

[skip_mff]

I've read in this topic that a 7foot 20-40lbs rod is a good setup for something like a Spheros reel with 60lbs braid and some top shot. However as I'm new to fishing and never used a spinning reel I'm trying to understand what types of rods are mated to this type of reel/fishing type.

I want to have a spinning reel to cast from the boat into Bluefin Tuna max 50-60lbs etc, but all the spinning rods I look at on various sites are not rated for 20-40lbs.

Can you/do you basically use a 7 foot trolling rod that is rated for 20-40lbs and should it have All eyes, eyes plus roller tip, or rollers all the way or does it not really matter.

Locally in Malta we get mostly Italian rods or we can order any from Shimano.

Thanks, Nick

[RiskTaker]

Skip_mff:

If you want to go with a spinner, try reading more posts where guys are going offshore on Tuna missions and that may help you in a better decision making process. Check this one out for starters: FishCraze.com :: View topic - Popping and jigging aboard the Caribbean Sea . Hint, follow the links that are embedded in the thread. (So if that don't give you a pump with spinner capability, then I suggest a visit to the Doctor.) IMO, before you do your due diligence in researching the best for you, I would not suggest roller-anything for a spinner reel set up, but you can still get fancy with your guides.

Simple and easy, get a Shimano Spheros reel (economical and amazing strong/smoothe drag), a Spin/troll style rod 6'6" in 20-50 lb. action w/ Titanium Nitride guides. If you order the rod custom be sure to get the harness clip accessory built in,(You can mount one aftermarket as well.) You could also get Aftco aluminum reel mounts too. Spool the reel with JBHC 60 lb. (libra), this is hollow core braid. (BTW - this just about matches the rod that my son built for his after Christmas present: fishing Santa brought him the components, it was up to him to put it all together. He did a beautiful job, along with a little help from his friends. I will post the story on-line some day.)

But you may learn something a little different from doing a little research on your own.

There, you have a formidable Tuna weapon in a spinner version. The old style Penn SS's are strong, but for what they excel in strength they lack in precision, compared to Shimano.

Good luck. Try to help conserve your Bluefin fishery in the Mediterranean. This is a most precious species of fish such that we must be "en gard" to enable them to be robustly prevalent among our oceans. We have a nursery, here in the Gulf of Mexico, although I have never ever caught a Blue fin tuna in my life from these parts of the hemisphere; and, oh, the Atmosphere!

People kill and eat fish for food, but please help influence constructive conservation in your neck of the woods for as long as you reside there.

I hope this helps you in a favorable way. RT

[Captain Joe McGivern]

Do not buy the Cabos whatever you do. Ibought a few and within 1 month they were all locked up! I will stick with my stellas..I also use the Thunnus reels, they work great!

[Jesslyn]

We just got a few Diaea Bronzini's wow I think they blow the stella away which is a huge statement. YOu never would of thought it from a Diawa.

Click on the link below this thing ROCKS

Daiwa Morethan Branzino 3000

[billspilingup]

My pre-sale-of-company Penns are still going strong after lots of sails, dolphin, tuna, and snapper.

[skip_mff]

Hi RT,

Thanks for your info. With your pointers and links I think I should be able to create an ideal set up

For the price the Spheros 14000FA certainly has my attention, and in due course can always change the drags to smoothdrag's though it will be interesting to see at which stage/load the std drags start to give up.

OTI seem to make some good rod set ups though I am also looking at the custom idea too depending on price!

Last year was a dreadful year BFT wise, we only brought in 3 over the season so at least I have peace of mind I wont be responsible for depleting stocks. But it shows from year to year what kind of damage those commercial purse seiners are doing over year. Last year was a bad year for them too, at least Malta banned all spotting flights and had some convervation watch flights out. But unfortunately the Tuna farms remain, and with our elections due next month, sadly I dont see anything being changed.

So far 16kgs has been our biggest catch, 30kgs or 65lbs or so would be nice and is about the biggest we get around here now.

Regards,

Skip

Originally Posted by RiskTaker

Skip_mff:

If you want to go with a spinner, try reading more posts where guys are going offshore on Tuna missions and that may help you in a better decision making process. Check this one out for starters: FishCraze.com :: View topic - Popping and jigging aboard the Caribbean Sea . Hint, follow the links that are embedded in the thread. (So if that don't give you a pump with spinner capability, then I suggest a visit to the Doctor.) IMO, before you do your due diligence in researching the best for you, I would not suggest roller-anything for a spinner reel set up, but you can still get fancy with your guides.

Simple and easy, get a Shimano Spheros reel (economical and amazing strong/smoothe drag), a Spin/troll style rod 6'6" in 20-50 lb. action w/ Titanium Nitride guides. If you order the rod custom be sure to get the harness clip accessory built in,(You can mount one aftermarket as well.) You could also get Aftco aluminum reel mounts too. Spool the reel with JBHC 60 lb. (libra), this is hollow core braid. (BTW - this just about matches the rod that my son built for his after Christmas present: fishing Santa brought him the components, it was up to him to put it all together. He did a beautiful job, along with a little help from his friends. I will post the story on-line some day.)

But you may learn something a little different from doing a little research on your own.

There, you have a formidable Tuna weapon in a spinner version. The old style Penn SS's are strong, but for what they excel in strength they lack in precision, compared to Shimano.

Good luck. Try to help conserve your Bluefin fishery in the Mediterranean. This is a most precious species of fish such that we must be "en gard" to enable them to be robustly prevalent among our oceans. We have a nursery, here in the Gulf of Mexico, although I have never ever caught a Blue fin tuna in my life from these parts of the hemisphere; and, oh, the Atmosphere!

People kill and eat fish for food, but please help influence constructive conservation in your neck of the woods for as long as you reside there.

I hope this helps you in a favorable way. RT