It is time to embrace finesse

cassidyta · 06-29-10, 05:15 PM

I have decided that I need to start using split shot and drop shot more than I do. So far it has been my least used technique and as such I do not have too much gear for it. So, I am looking into purchasing a rod specifically designed for it. I am not really asking for rod suggestions because I am pretty sure I am going with a crucial. My question becomes reels. I have never put too much thought into spinning reels. Being that this rig will be designed for 4-6 lbs flouro, I believe that a smooth drag will be key. I don't want to break the bank and would like to stay in the $100 and less range for the reel.
How important do you all consider the reel in a finese spinning rig?

TN_Bassin · 06-29-10, 05:44 PM

Well not too many other people will recommend this but since I've owned it for several years now ( 8 or more can't remember), and I use it for wading the creek and yakkin. Shimano Sahara, I don't know anything about the newly modeled ones but if they are half as hardy as the older ones they are a pretty good deal. With spinning reels, you can find some really good ones for under 100 bucks, including the sahara, pflueger president, the main difference between these two is the number of bearings.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st..._SearchResults - Sahara

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...SSSELL_PRODUCT - President

islandbass · 06-29-10, 05:59 PM

Sahara or better yet, the Symetre. You're done. The good thing about spinning reels is that you can get a lot of reel for your money. Get it in the 2500 size and you'll be set. It will set up nicely with the slot for your finger on the crucials.

BigBassin144 · 06-29-10, 06:43 PM

Pflueger Supreme. Right at your $100 price point, and has a sealed drag that works like a $200 reel. You could also wait for the new Supreme XT and hope they don't raise the price above the current $130. It's much cooler looking.

Another option, if you can find one, is the Daiwa Caldia that BPS had on sale for $100, which is now my dropshot reel on a Crucial DS rod (which is a great choice by the way!)

BB

BassMoJo · 06-29-10, 08:06 PM

sahara or ci4 stradic its alittle more $$$ but I love mine. As far as the sahara goes I have one paired with my 6'8" crucial ds rod and love the set up.

tim4081 · 06-29-10, 10:26 PM

Here's another vote for the Sahara....a great solid dependable reel. My other spinning reel is the Pflueger Arbor. Its a wide spool design (which I haven't really noticed any advantage or disadvantage to). Very smooth drag, light weight yet seems very solid. It also comes with a spool with rubber strips on the sides for keeping braid from slipping...works great. I'd recommend either one.

Bender · 06-29-10, 11:31 PM

I'd also go with the Symetre. I have 5 of them I think and they are a great reel with smooth drag. I have one Supreme but don't have enough time using it to make a recommendation. The one I would steer clear of is the BPS Johnnie Morris one. Mine had horrible drag that caught and I broke off a number of 4+# smallies on 6# line. I took it apart and cleaned it and made sure the steel plate was clean and free of burrs but it still wasn't good.

I also had both the 6'8" and 7'2" Med. Crucial DS rods. I liked the 6'8" more. I just felt like it was easier to use and felt better to me especially for light stuff. Try them both to see which you like if you can.

nmanley · 06-30-10, 04:36 PM

Love my two Sahara 2500's and Field & Stream Tech Spec 6'10" rods. I use 20lb braid and 8Lb fluro leaders.

Rebbasser · 07-01-10, 01:24 AM

Shimano Symetre. Best $100 spinning reel you cna buy IMO. I have 3, and if I need another spinning reel I'll buy another Symetre. Gave my father-in-law one for his birthday and he says it is the best spinning reel he has ever used.

bassboogieman · 07-01-10, 05:45 AM

Pflueger Supreme for me, the new '11 reel has a projected price point around $159. Getting pretty steep on spinning reels IMO. No matter how much you spend, once you open the bail to cast they are all just about equal. For me, I look for a GOOD drag system as I think it's the most important aspect of a spinning reel. Also a smooth retreive with no wobble, once you hit $100 most are pretty close on that aspect. The third factor for me is weight, since most of the newer rods are really light weight adding a heavy reel doesn't make much sense to me. The Pflueger Supreme gives me everything I'm looking for at a reasonable price. Check ebay as the Supreme is being redesigned for '11 and there are some deals on the reels soon to be discontinued.

06-29-10, 05:15 PM	#1
cassidyta BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,928	It is time to embrace finesse I have decided that I need to start using split shot and drop shot more than I do. So far it has been my least used technique and as such I do not have too much gear for it. So, I am looking into purchasing a rod specifically designed for it. I am not really asking for rod suggestions because I am pretty sure I am going with a crucial. My question becomes reels. I have never put too much thought into spinning reels. Being that this rig will be designed for 4-6 lbs flouro, I believe that a smooth drag will be key. I don't want to break the bank and would like to stay in the $100 and less range for the reel. How important do you all consider the reel in a finese spinning rig? __________________ If you have ever wondered if you should retie, the answer is yes.

06-29-10, 05:44 PM	#2
TN_Bassin BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bon Aqua,TN Posts: 1,013	Well not too many other people will recommend this but since I've owned it for several years now ( 8 or more can't remember), and I use it for wading the creek and yakkin. Shimano Sahara, I don't know anything about the newly modeled ones but if they are half as hardy as the older ones they are a pretty good deal. With spinning reels, you can find some really good ones for under 100 bucks, including the sahara, pflueger president, the main difference between these two is the number of bearings. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st..._SearchResults - Sahara http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...SSSELL_PRODUCT - President __________________ Other anglers are tough, but the fish are the real competition.

06-29-10, 05:59 PM	#3
islandbass BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: WA State Posts: 1,783	Sahara or better yet, the Symetre. You're done. The good thing about spinning reels is that you can get a lot of reel for your money. Get it in the 2500 size and you'll be set. It will set up nicely with the slot for your finger on the crucials. __________________ ARX "If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles." Doug Larson (Shimano 2005 Reel Catalog)

06-29-10, 06:43 PM	#4
BigBassin144 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 9,463	Pflueger Supreme. Right at your $100 price point, and has a sealed drag that works like a $200 reel. You could also wait for the new Supreme XT and hope they don't raise the price above the current $130. It's much cooler looking. Another option, if you can find one, is the Daiwa Caldia that BPS had on sale for $100, which is now my dropshot reel on a Crucial DS rod (which is a great choice by the way!) BB __________________ As of June 14, 2014 the members of the BF.com forum have moved to basschat.yuku.com!

06-29-10, 08:06 PM	#5
BassMoJo BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Hampstead, MD Posts: 801	sahara or ci4 stradic its alittle more $$$ but I love mine. As far as the sahara goes I have one paired with my 6'8" crucial ds rod and love the set up. __________________ This is my Signature there are many like it, but this one is mine.

06-29-10, 10:26 PM	#6
tim4081 BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Spring Lake, Michigan Posts: 195	Here's another vote for the Sahara....a great solid dependable reel. My other spinning reel is the Pflueger Arbor. Its a wide spool design (which I haven't really noticed any advantage or disadvantage to). Very smooth drag, light weight yet seems very solid. It also comes with a spool with rubber strips on the sides for keeping braid from slipping...works great. I'd recommend either one.

06-29-10, 11:31 PM	#7
Bender BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Brighton, MI Posts: 2,414	I'd also go with the Symetre. I have 5 of them I think and they are a great reel with smooth drag. I have one Supreme but don't have enough time using it to make a recommendation. The one I would steer clear of is the BPS Johnnie Morris one. Mine had horrible drag that caught and I broke off a number of 4+# smallies on 6# line. I took it apart and cleaned it and made sure the steel plate was clean and free of burrs but it still wasn't good. I also had both the 6'8" and 7'2" Med. Crucial DS rods. I liked the 6'8" more. I just felt like it was easier to use and felt better to me especially for light stuff. Try them both to see which you like if you can.

06-30-10, 04:36 PM	#8
nmanley BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Daleville, AL Posts: 265	Love my two Sahara 2500's and Field & Stream Tech Spec 6'10" rods. I use 20lb braid and 8Lb fluro leaders. __________________ 2015 Triton 18 TRX, Evinrude 200HP

07-01-10, 01:24 AM	#9
Rebbasser BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 10,141	Shimano Symetre. Best $100 spinning reel you cna buy IMO. I have 3, and if I need another spinning reel I'll buy another Symetre. Gave my father-in-law one for his birthday and he says it is the best spinning reel he has ever used. __________________ It's happened to the best of them: John 21:3

07-01-10, 05:45 AM	#10
bassboogieman BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Parkesburg, Pa. Posts: 3,762	Pflueger Supreme for me, the new '11 reel has a projected price point around $159. Getting pretty steep on spinning reels IMO. No matter how much you spend, once you open the bail to cast they are all just about equal. For me, I look for a GOOD drag system as I think it's the most important aspect of a spinning reel. Also a smooth retreive with no wobble, once you hit $100 most are pretty close on that aspect. The third factor for me is weight, since most of the newer rods are really light weight adding a heavy reel doesn't make much sense to me. The Pflueger Supreme gives me everything I'm looking for at a reasonable price. Check ebay as the Supreme is being redesigned for '11 and there are some deals on the reels soon to be discontinued.

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