Spinning poll...

[Steely-Head]

Just wondering what people prefer--I myself use Shimano.

[The Whale]

I was a "Shimano" man for ten years or better. Then I gave Quantum a shot due to a couple of new models and an excellent deal offered on them, (Shimano model I wanted was out of stock at the time). I found that Quantum has come up with an excellent reel that is nicely balanced, has an outstanding drag system, and is extremely price competitive. So far so good, one screw up on these reels and I'm back to Shimano for good though.


Whale :)

[jpollman]

I've got a Quantum I bought last year.
It works pretty well but I'm less than impressed with the handle.
After only a SHORT TIME using it, the rubber grip wore through and came right off. Other than that, I like it.

[Inlander]

Shimano reels have always been a good reel for me, why change a good thing.

[Fury09]

I've been using for the last 8 years now I believe a reel made by Silstar. It came out around the time that Quantum first started making the energy series. It is very cost effective. around the $40 dollar range. I use it for steelies in the spring, (when i don't have my fly rod) and I use it for light line jigging for Smallies and Walleyes...They seem to work great I have a couple of them. One is finally starting to stick on the drag a little though...But after long time abuse I'm suprised it has lasted this long...

But other than that...

ANYTHING BUT DIAWA...I havn't had one of those last for more than half a season before puking out...:rolleyes:

[captainqtip69]

Can't beat Abu-Garcia, the old "Cardinal" Reels take a lickin' but keep on tickin'. Clients love them too, haven't had one fail on me yet, they keep catching Bay de Noc walleyes, and until they don't I"m sticking with them! By the way, still driving on the ice up here, that's why I'm heading south in two weeks to fish the Detroit River for the first time. Where's the best jigging water located? Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks:D

[Steely-Head]

Abu-Garcia--thats what I forgot. Oh well.

[J. J. Magnum]

I voted for Diawa simply because they have worked great for me the last few years. My preference until then was Abu-Garcia especially the 300 and the 308. I'm an ultra-lite fan and have used most of the brands out there, I have a Quantum that messed up on me last year so it will be awhile before I trust it again.

[jimbos43]

I've had Quantum's that haven't lasted one night of fishing, but i've have Shimano's some of which are going on 10 years old. Guess what brand I voted for?

[jamie7117]

i was a shimano man forever until i bought a couple new pinnacle reels. good bargain and excellent quality. pinnacle pwt's.

i also bought a couple diawa reels for my ultralights and they seem to be a real steal!

[ESOX]

I have Abu's and Daiwas on the rods I currently carry in the boat. I have a few Stradics that will make good river sinkers. What lousy garbage passed off as mid-line reels.

[OTIS]

Voted Shimano, Bought a Quantum once used it 3 years and the Gears inside stripped. (they were plastic) Went back to my Shimano's that I have had for over 12 years now.

[Downrod]

Bought a Fin-Nor combo this year. Sweet!! Smothest reel I've seen in the price range. 9' MED-Light action pole Not too noodley, just the right feel.

Downrod

[DaveW731]

Love my Quantum Energy reel: I was a bit suprised by other's experiences, because one the things I like best about it has been it's durability. It has been dropped and drowned a number of times, and still performs.

[Steely-Head]

Well, I think it is safe to say that all reel manufacturers make reels of higher and lower quality, but i find shimano reels to be by far the most dependable. I am still using the shimano baitcast reel my dad gave to me when I was 6.

[Lil' Grommit]

I'm a huge fan of Mitchell reels. (Now owned I believe by Abu/Garcia. I have (2) 1960's circa Mitchell model 440's (dad has 2 and I just bought another at auction) which work flawlessly to this day. For those who have never seen or used one, it has an auto bail feature like no other. Draw back the rod to cast, a light press on the bail and release on the cast. No fumbling with line because you never touch it. Very cool !! I've used one since age 5 and it is still working fanastic...30 years later. My 2 cents. Tight lines to all !!:D

[DZtaxidermy]

I love my Shimano Symmetre!

[fishindave]

I have ~10 Shimano reels, I had a quantam, but it didn't last 1 season on my back up smally rod.

[STEINFISHSKI]

I voted Shimano, but have a diawa with a silky smooth drag I like too.

[Swamp Monster]

I voted for quantum. I have three Quantum Irons that are very dependable and had a couple older models that took quite a beating before I retired them. They all had metal gears so I don't know what model came with plastic gears.....I also have two Fin Nor's that I like but the drags are not the smoothest, good for most fish though. I have had good luck with two cheap Shimano AX and FX models that sure aren't real smooth but after about 15 years of abuse and $25 total investment they still work just fine. I have used a number of Garcia Cardinals with good luck but the drags just don't seem to hold up. Never cared for the Diawa spinning reels but I have owned a couple of baitcasters that were nice.
Actually I think there are a lot of nice reels on the market by most manufacturers, but there is also a lemon just the same from those same companies.

[IT pimp 2002]

By far the Shimano is the best reel I have ever owned. I use them for everything from salmon, steelhead, wallys, smallies. I even use them in the winter for my ice fishing stuff. I own 3-2000 stradics, and 2-4000 stradics. They have never failed and I dont see any reason to fix what's not broken.

[discdrag]

my quantum SX3 is almost four years old and has handled everything from dink gills to salmon, and im probably going to replace it with another, the reel lasted me good, although mt dad's spirex is a pretty nice reel...

[stoney]

I tend to be fairly hard on reels, I had a Shimano stradic that work well for about 3 years, then a diawa regal z which work well for two years. For the money I like the regal z, I tried to buy another at cablea's but they told me that diawa does not make them any more. I have alot of other shimano's that have work well also.
I did look at a cabela's reel a couple of weeks ago and I was impressed. it was around $70.00

[jeremy L]

another bump. I think we should bump polls like this more often, even though i thought it would be a good idea to put a time limit on replies, don't know what i was thinkin:confused:

Anyways, shimano is my choice for a couple reasons.

1. Good price

2. Long lasting

3. Most reels have a bottom drag, which is what i use, i can't stand top drag reels.

ALso, Browning reels are great and come in very close second in my opinion.

[jaid]

I always like the quantum quickshots/hypershots for the light baits and panfish.

[FlyDaddy]

I like the Sustain!

FD

[ausable_steelhead]

I voted for Quantum, I have a Hypercast from 93' thats still works great. I've never had a problem with this reel, in fact it was my salmon reel just about all season this past fall, and landed alot of salmon(around 50-60 fish), I've never lost a fish to the drag, they've got very, very good drags, So my vote goes to Quantum. My Dad's also loves hypercast's, he's got like 6 of them! But he's got one hall of famer, a Quantum Snapshot from like 1991 I think, that reel caught over 200 steelhead for him, and still works, he just hasn't used it in awhile(ever since he bought a Hypercast), I think they make good reel's.

[sfw1960]

Hey E... you can send me your "junk" Stradics - I'd be happy to spend the money to repair them & use 'em!!!!

SHIMANO!!!!!!
"I love my Shimano Symmetre!"
Damn right Dan!!! I sure use mine year round !!!!! - it's (SY2000) is loaded with 2LB test and a #10 all Glo Ratt Finkee tied on the end.....
PPPerchhh JJJerkin'!!!!!!
:p
:D SFW:D

[Gus]

I have several Shimanos. My oldest is 15 yrs old, I'm starting to have trouble with the bail closing, so it has been demoted to an ice fishing reel. I still love it. I think if I were to use another reel it would probably be a Mitchell. I have seen soooo many that last 30+ years.

Gus

[GrungeFish]

Originally posted by DZtaxidermy
I love my Shimano Symmetre!

Got that right....... super smooth. I have to say I've tried a couple Pinnacle's that I've been very impressed with, and quite resonable.

[percheye]

All i use for spinning is shimano. Trolling is a different story for me. I use daiwa sealines.

[KingSalmon]

I've tried 'em all and have had the best "luck" with the Shakespeare Catera. It features the rear-drag and anti reverse options. Both which are much needed in large species situations. Plus it's inexpensive. I use them for everything form gills to kings. I must say that I am contemplating a Quantum for my next choice. The Catera works great for my Lightning Rod but my St. Croix demands better.

[Banditto]

Well I went and did it. I ordered a Shimand Stradic 2500 6-10lb rell with a custom 7" medium rod. I had a couple of the lower end Shimano reels and was happy with them, but it was time to order something nice. good advice given here

[sfw1960]

Banditto , can you say buttery schMOOOZe????
Good advice TAKEN dude!!!!!!!!!;)

[Can't Touch This]

I tried shimonos, and i HATE them. They have terrible anti-reverse, not smooth, not good casting, and cost are kinda expensive, and are not worth it. DIAWA, DIAWA, DIAWA, by FAR the best reel, espessially if you count the price, they cost 50$, and, man, everything is great!!!! Smooth, great casting, great anti-reverse, great capsitvity, and the best drag system you can get!!!!! For only 50 bucks????? C-mon, you can't beat that!!!

[sfw1960]

Yeah , sure can..... Shimano
get some sleep!...... hehehe:eek:

[wntowne]

I voted other. I have used Mitchell 300 for about 35 years I have had very few problems except for bail springs. Caught everything from bluegill to King salmon on them with no problem

[Swamp Monster]

My Quantums are still holding strong, but so are the cheap Shimano's I have had for years. Granted they don't see a ton of water now, they still get some use. Never once opened em up to grease them either. I just picked up another Quantum, a Response Ti with titanium bail and magnetic bail trip. Extremely smooth. Normaly priced in the $70-$80 range, got mine on sale at GM for $30. Not a bad deal.

[jigworm]

Bandito, You won't be sorry! That is one great reel.

[garyrodbender]

Shimano, gets my vote. 25yr`s of loyalty.If it aint broke don`t fix it;)

[Burksee]

Originally posted by wntowne
I voted other. I have used Mitchell 300 for about 35 years I have had very few problems except for bail springs. Caught everything from bluegill to King salmon on them with no problem

Likewise, I'm a faithful follower of the old "Mitchell 300"!

I've "only" been Fished'em for just over 20 years though. Haven't had the bail spring issue (I'm sure I will now! :eek: ) but I've had a few of spools/drags burn out of 'em after a couple of days of havin scream'in chromies on!

It's not a high tech, multi bearing "Cadilac", more of a "Model T", why mess with something thats not broke reel, its sure has been a dependable reel in my book! So hey "why mess with it!"

[hangoo]

Shimono sidestab, and a Mitchell 300x

[William H Bonney]

I can't tell ya how many times I've picked up that Stradic, when I'm at Cabelas,,,,,, I never heard anything bad about 'em,,,,,but I just can't get over the "look" of them. I'm either going with the Stradic or the similar priced Diawa,,,,I just can't decide,,its goin' on 2 years now and I still haven't made up my mind. I know the drag on the Diawa's is supposed to be better,,but I can't remember the "screamer" I had. The Stradic just seems so much better "balanced". Any suggestions for my next purchase would be appreciated.

BTW,,I think someone should start another poll:

What's more important? The rod? or the reel?

IMO: the rod,,by far

[William H Bonney]

bump

[ESOX]

Somebody should start another poll?
You're kidding right??
It has taken all of my self control to not have my finger slip on the "delete" button already...........
I keep waiting for this thing to go away, it's a million yrs old.
Rather than stick people with options that are already a part of ones preconcieved notions, perhaps just a simple question would be more appropriate.
I feel better now.:)

[William H Bonney]

LOL,, I was kidding,,I can't believe it took someone this long to respond to it........... but I do seriously need the input on the reels

[sfw1960]

Shimano has been makin' gears for over fifty years.....
Look at the numbers.... hehehee!!!
Sorry E... I hadda do it.!!!

:D Robert :D
:eek:

[TONGA]

You guy,s never include me in your poll's
No option for Quick,,Dam-Quick that is
other than that I would say i,um, um, for all out quality(bullet proof) Penn--but they are heavy
Have had good luck with shimano but can,t say they do it for me
Mitchell- are real nice
Shakspeer back in the day made fine reals
Worst real I ever bought ,when I was ten years old I saved up $20 to buy a Diawa I just had to have, I was so let down with that real that I have never got another!!
$20 was a lot of money for a spinnig real then,,even more so when you are 10 years old:mad: :(

[Lunker]

Quantum, Response Ti with titanium bail and magnetic bail trip is the sweetest reel ive ever owned. This is nicer than my Fin Nors even. I
own alot of reels and am hard on them so I clean them every year and put nothing but a little of slick 50 in the gear box shake the bottle first to get maximum pfte in. That stuff will make your reel feel like a million bucks. It wont freeze up in this kind of weather or ice fishing and I use zap silcon spray on my line if I cant get Reel Magic spray on sale. Thats what really makes the reel cast a country mile!