← Autodidact Archive · Original Dissent · Texas Dissident
Thread ID: 17203 | Posts: 4 | Started: 2005-03-09
2005-03-09 08:26 | User Profile
Admittedly, while the kids were young I found less and less time to get out and wet a line as much as I did before they came on the scene. My youngest is now five and I'm looking to get back regular with my two boys, probably mostly fresh water with the occasional visit to the coastal Texas hot spots. Seems like over the last 10 years most reel manufacturers have moved their operations over to Red Commie China.
So, for any seasoned anglers out there, what is your recommendation for the best reel at an affordable price these days? Zebco? Shimano? Pflueger? Abu Garcia? Like I said, I'm looking for something that will be good for the occasional light salt water trip (specs, reds, flounder, etc.), but mostly fresh water action. I really want to stay under $100, if at all possible, but I want something that's not gonna break down on the third use like most Chinese crap does.
2005-03-09 08:45 | User Profile
[QUOTE=Texas Dissident]Admittedly, while the kids were young I found less and less time to get out and wet a line as much as I did before they came on the scene. My youngest is now five and I'm looking to get back regular with my two boys, probably mostly fresh water with the occasional visit to the coastal Texas hot spots. Seems like over the last 10 years most reel manufacturers have moved their operations over to Red Commie China.
So, for any seasoned anglers out there, what is your recommendation for the best reel at an affordable price these days? Zebco? Shimano? Pflueger? Abu Garcia? Like I said, I'm looking for something that will be good for the occasional light salt water trip (specs, reds, flounder, etc.), but mostly fresh water action. I really want to stay under $100, if at all possible, but I want something that's not gonna break down on the third use like most Chinese crap does.[/QUOTE] Shimano reels (especially the baitrunners) are very good but overpriced. I've had good luck with Abu Garcias (also pricey, particularly their baitcasters), and as far as budget-priced reels that are good for the money, Daiwas have served me surprisingly well. I haven't been very happy with the mid-priced Zebco reels, usually something or other gives out at an odd moment with them.
2005-03-09 13:46 | User Profile
I've been using Shimano reels for years, and they've always served me well, but my newest reel is about 7 or 8 years old now so I can't vouch for the newer models. I used to buy trout jigs from the world 2# test record holder for brown trout and at that time he used the same reel that I used and use, the Shimano Aero 1000. I tail-snagged a 35 pound buffalo while bass fishing in E. St. Louis - that's right, EAST St. Louis - using a Shimano Sidestab with 8# test and I brought that beast to shore, though it seemed like it took half a day to get it done. I still have a few old Shimano Bantams lying around, and there's nothing better for working a topwater on a farm pond on a calm night when there's no moon. Good times.
2005-03-18 08:54 | User Profile
Took my 8 year old [URL=http://www.marinews.com/fishing/fishing/Tackle%20Tests/ft_shimaer.htm]Shimano Aero Stradic 1000[/URL] ultra-lite out to an Ozark spring this morning and, even though it was so cold my fingers kept sticking to the reel, it performed flawlessly and I harvested three nice rainbow trout, and had a fish and chips and ale lunch that I'd match up against any gourmet restaurant in the world. :cheers: