Dropshot reel recommendation

[WatterBoy]

Originally Posted by rrw4258

Good call on the Symetre in the 3000 size... what many people do not know is that the 3000 actually weighs less than the 2500. Not much but is does weight less, with more line capacity.

http://www.basspro.com/Shimano-Symet...02360/-1525704

Ryan

OOPS, guess we were posting our answers at the same time.

P.S. - I did take a look at the Pflueger Patriarch, but I couldn't justify spending the extra cash for it when I really like the Symetre I already have. So of course I bought 8 more packs of senkos because they were 25% off for Cabela's Visa card members until the end of April.

[fiker]

I have several of the Symetre 2500's, and one 4000.

I love em so much, I don't see any reason to ever buy a different reel.

[rrw4258]

Originally Posted by WatterBoy

OOPS, guess we were posting our answers at the same time.

Guess great minds think alike!

Ryan

[BigBassin144]

I guess I'm in the minority, as I wouldn't gone with a 2000 sized reel. Both of my main spinning reels are Daiwa 2000 sized reels. IMO, they have more than enough line capacity, especially when using 10-15lb test braid. They're also lighter.

That's odd about the Symetre 3000 being lighter than the 2500... Anyone know what the difference is?

BB

[Bassboss]

Originally Posted by BigBassin144

I guess I'm in the minority, as I wouldn't gone with a 2000 sized reel. Both of my main spinning reels are Daiwa 2000 sized reels. IMO, they have more than enough line capacity, especially when using 10-15lb test braid. They're also lighter.

That's odd about the Symetre 3000 being lighter than the 2500... Anyone know what the difference is?

BB

Yeah I agree with you biggins. I think you get a little more sport outa the fish when you use a smaller reel too. The Symetre doesn't come in a 2000 size though, I heard though that they have the same body size, just different spool sizes.

Each person to their own! I found it interesting how the larger reel weighed less. I'm curious as to why that is. Maybe Pro reel will chime in.......

[WatterBoy]

Originally Posted by Bassboss

... I think you get a little more sport outa this fish when you use a smaller reel too. ...

Hey Boss, could you explain this statement? I'm not sure I follow what you mean. Thanks!

[Bassboss]

Originally Posted by WatterBoy

Hey Boss, could you explain this statement? I'm not sure I follow what you mean. Thanks!

lol I meant the, not this. lol. But it always seems like a smaller reel gives me more of the fight out of the fish. Think about it. You don't see people using 5000 size spinning reels and 7 foot heavy action rods with 30lb mono as their main line when they're fishin for brim. A little UL spinning combo with a 500 size reel and 2lb line is gonna get more fight out of the fish. Granted the example I used is over exaggerated, but you get my point right?

[WatterBoy]

I wasn't sure what you meant by "sport", you didn't say "fight". I would have thought the rod would make way more difference than the reel regarding fighting the fish, but I really don't know. I don't really see there being much difference between fighting a bass with a 2500 vs. a 3000, but at this point it really doesn't matter because I have a 3000.

[DVT Mike]

The Pflueger spinning reels offer a lot of bang for your buck. I did however just pick up a Ci4 Staradic 2500 that I'll spool with 20# Power Pro and a Fluoro leader. It's going on a custom I'm working on. It will be a 6'9" high modulus MHX with a carbon tennessee grip and minima guides. Super light & sensitive.

[JHolmes]

Originally Posted by DVT Mike

The Pflueger spinning reels offer a lot of bang for your buck. I did however just pick up a Ci4 Staradic 2500 that I'll spool with 20# Power Pro and a Fluoro leader. It's going on a custom I'm working on. It will be a 6'9" high modulus MHX with a carbon tennessee grip and minima guides. Super light & sensitive.

What are your initial thoughts on the Ci4? I've been looking at that reel for a while, but trying to justify the additional cost over the Symmetre.

[BigBassin144]

Originally Posted by JHolmes

What are your initial thoughts on the Ci4? I've been looking at that reel for a while, but trying to justify the additional cost over the Symmetre.

I looked at a hand full of reels in the $200-300 range this spring when picking my new DS reel. These included the Abu Garcia Premier, Daiwa Certate, Daiwa Fuego, Pflueger Patriarch, Shimano Stradic CI4, and Shimano Sustain.

All of my experience is in store only, but after a quick preliminary handling off all the reels, the CI4 went back into the case. While fairly light, it didn't come close to any of the other reels in terms of feel. Long story short, I ranked the reels on overall feel (smoothness and weight) as follows:

Daiwa Fuego - The best combination of weight and feel. Came in second for feel and smoothness and was also the second lightest.

Daiwa Certate - Tied for first for smoothness and feel, but was a bit heavier, keeping it from the number 1 spot.

Pflueger Patriarch - The lightest by far, but in the middle in terms of smoothness and feel.

Shimano Sustain - Tied for first for smoothness with the Certate, but was by far the heaviest reel. The weight really hurt this reel for me.

Abu Garcia Premier - Just average on both counts compared to the other reels; it wasn't the lightest or the smoothest.

Shimano CI4 - Was light, but did not compare to any of the others in it's price range. If Shimano could make this reel feel like the Sustain (or make the Sustain this light), they'd have a real winner.

BB

P.S., Just in case you were wondering, I couldn't afford the $300 Fuego, so I bought the Certate.

[JHolmes]

BB, thanks for the input. The reviews really did seem to be mixed on the Ci4, so I appreciate your thoughts.

I guess my biggest issue is that I don't have a problem spending that much on a baitcaster, but it seems more difficult to justify for a spinning reel. Maybe I will just forget the spinning reel all together and just buy another baitcaster instead. (wishful thinking I guess)

[BigBassin144]

Originally Posted by JHolmes

BB, thanks for the input. The reviews really did seem to be mixed on the Ci4, so I appreciate your thoughts.

I guess my biggest issue is that I don't have a problem spending that much on a baitcaster, but it seems more difficult to justify for a spinning reel. Maybe I will just forget the spinning reel all together and just buy another baitcaster instead. (wishful thinking I guess)

I'm kinda getting off subject here, but since the OP has figured everything out and gotten a reel already, I'll continue. I also had a hard time spending the money on a spinning reel, but I feel like the dropshot should be fished on a spinning reel. But other successfully fish it on casting gear, so that's just my opinion.

Your other option is to pick up a good finesse casting reel. The Daiwa Pixy, which is considered THE finesse casting reel, will handle just about anything you'd want to throw for bass on a spinning reel. They are however, hard to find and can get pretty pricey. I only mention them since you said you don't mind paying more for a casting reel.

A step down from the casting abilities of the Pixy would be the Daiwa Sol/Alphas. The Sol, the US version of the JDM Alphas is a great reel that can handle most lighter baits. It casts small worms weighted with 1/16oz weight, and even most weightless plastics. There is also a new Alphas 105 Finesse reel that in theory should be on par with the Pixy. With a super shallow ported spool, my guess is it will sit nicely between the Pixy and standard Alphas 103/Sol reels.

There are a few other reels that could be considered finesse reels like the Shimano Curado 50E/ JDM Scorpion 1000 or the Core 50Mg/ JDM Aldebaran (most agree the Core is a much better caster). Also the older Shimano Chronarch 50Mg.

However, a good finesse reel isn't that great without the right rod. A couple of the more popular finesse rods right now are the Dobyns DX701C and DX702C (7' L F and 7' ML F, respectively). Anything in the 7' range that's a L or ML casting rod with a F or XF action should work great.

BB

[JHolmes]

Yeah, sorry WB for hijacking the thread.

BB, would you agree that it would be better to go with another Symetre and be able to spend more in the rod? I agree with you that the rid is really the key to a DS rig.

[BigBassin144]

I think it really depends. I find both are pretty important for dropshotting. The key thing you want in a reel is a good smooth drag. You want your drag to operate flawlessly. Any time it sticks at all, you risk breaking the light line used in dropshotting.

The rod is also important. I too have a hard time spending high dollars on a spinning reel. Before my Certate, the most I've spent was $100 on a spinning reel, which does buy a decent spinning reel.

What are you looking at for a rod? If buying a higher end spinning reel will keep you from buying a better rod, then stick with the Symetre. If you can still get a good rod, then go ahead and try a higher end reel. You won't know until you try it, ya know?

BB