Spinning reel $100 or less

[New2Fishing]

I'm looking for a spinning reel $100 or less, any recommendations or brand recommendations?

[New2Fishing]

any suggestions guys?? any help would be great...

[70fastback]

do they still make the quantam snap shot my vote i like mine:snapoutofit:

[New2Fishing]

tyvm... will check tomorrow at wholesale sports n cabelas...

[BeeGuy]

do they still make the quantam snap shot my vote i like mine:snapoutofit:

no way man, go with the Quantum Optix.

Precision machined.

[Albertafisher]

Shimano Symmetry is an AWESOME reel. Plus its only $100.

[New2Fishing]

i myself love shimano, and was loking at the shimano sonora 4000fb....is that any good?

[RapStaff]

Vapor by Rapala. I saw it online at TFH for about 40 bucks.
3 Reel sizes, graphite body, aluminum spool, slap in some Sufix 832 and you're set.

[New2Fishing]

i saw the vapor today, looks pretty good...

[BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES]

\What are you gonna use this reel fior , just jigging , Everything what ? and once you answer this ill give you my opinion . And thoughts , and recomendations . God only knows I own alot of many diffrent reel brands and pricing .

[New2Fishing]

i wnat this reel to be my river fishing reel, i'm very new to fishing at the river so thinking of just using a pickerel rig setup...

[New2Fishing]

oh ya, if anyone has a suggestion for a rod to go with the reel... that would be fantastic...

[RapStaff]

If you are going to fish with a pick rig get a 2500 or 3500 (2000 or 3000) depending on brand. Little bigger spool capacity for some heavier line.
Sometimes bigger isn't always better but when you hook a 40 pound sturgeon you'll be happy to have the extra line.

[RapStaff]

Find a 7' medium action rod and a 2500 size reel some 10- 14 pound braided or fused line and you're fishing. Rods and reels are like cars, there are several different brands and generally speaking more money equals better quality components.
There are lots of decent entry level combos for the money you want to spend.
Go have some fun try some reels out on different rods. Give it a shake see how it fits your hand cuz if its not comfortable it wears on you after a day trolling or casting.
Hit up TFH, WSS, or Cabelas and go through some gear and see what fits.
Personally I sort through a lot of rods before I find one that meets my needs.

[New2Fishing]

tyvm for the tips...

[Willowtrail]

I really like the Shimano Volteaus rods. 6'6" is only $42 at the fishin hole, as for real, I have too many to say which one is best. I do like my Mitchell Avocett but have it in the 500 series, you would need a 2000 or bigger but would be under $100 with some suffix 832 braid on it.

[BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES]

Id go with a bait caster . Plus far better methods then a pickrell rig . Those things are junk . Crappy hooks , crappy line . Make yourself a bait rig , kind of like a lindy rig minues the floating float on the rig , not your main line .

Reels
Daiwa AccuDepth < own 4 of these
Daiwa Millionaire Own one pretty good reel but hate the handle
Rapala Andros Really nice reel and well made
Shimano Corvalus Own this reel and love it but not sure about the new ones

Rods
Whuppin' Stick Casting Rods Great rod , lots of sensitivity in rod tip with tons of back bone , ran this as my main sturgeon rod for many years then upgraded . they are 30 bucks
Shimano Clarus - very nice rod super backbone with super sensitive tip great river rod .Very similar to what im running .
Diaiwa Costal - if you can get your hands on this rod your laughing , Same rods im running for river fishing , Very sensitive tip , tons of back bone .

Line
Suffix 832 50 lb or better
Power pro 50 lb or better

[New2Fishing]

wow thx for the detailed recommendation Big John... and Willowtrail I love your Shimano Volteaus rod too, saw it in ur post a few days back... it think thats the rod i'm going with, still deciding on the reel to go with it... lots of choices, will check out all the suggestions tomorrow at the stores...

[Fishfull Thinker..]

REEL: gotta be shimano as their bearings kick ass!
ROD:I fell in love with fenwick a long time ago!

[New2Fishing]

oh ya Big John, I have never used a spincaster before, only know how to use a spinning rod... like i said, very new to fishing would love to learn it one day and then learn fly fishing after...

[BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES]

oh ya Big John, I have never used a spincaster before, only know how to use a spinning rod... like i said, very new to fishing would love to learn it one day and then learn fly fishing after...

Tell you what , you get a baitcaster , then Ill invite you out with me and ill teach you how to use it . Once its set up they are very simple . Give yourself 10 casts and youll get it figured out . You will always still get the odd bird nest but never cut your line .

Let me know . Bait caster is the way to go when river fishing . Gives you the option to catch anything from goldeye to big pike and Sturgeon .

[New2Fishing]

lol thx for the invite, i will keep that in mind when i;m out shopping tomorrow maybe i'll just get one spinning n one baitcast just to make things simple..., btw should i go with a 6'6 rod or 7? thx

[BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES]

lol thx for the invite, i will keep that in mind when i;m out shopping tomorrow maybe i'll just get one spinning n one baitcast just to make things simple..., btw should i go with a 6'6 rod or 7? thx

For baitcaster ? id go the longer rod .

[New2Fishing]

one more thing John i've looked on cabelas, tfh and wss . websites, but the reels ur recommending me are for about 10-14 line capacity but the lines ur recommending is 50+ does that matter? i always thought if the reel says 10-14 i was suppose to get a line between 10-14, lol see i'm very new and asking silly questions....

[BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES]

one more thing John i've looked on cabelas, tfh and wss . websites, but the reels ur recommending me are for about 10-14 line capacity but the lines ur recommending is 50+ does that matter? i always thought if the reel says 10-14 i was suppose to get a line between 10-14, lol see i'm very new and asking silly questions....

They are talking Line Diameter , 50 lb braided line is like about 10-12 lb mono line . my 110 lb braided line I run on my reels which youll get guys saying over kill which I have one mission get that fish in NOW. that Diameter is the same as 25 lb mono I think it is maybe 30 . None the less braided and flurocarbon lines are far smaller then a mono line .

[New2Fishing]

awesome, thx for explanation...

[BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES]

Yeeeeeeeeeeeep LOL no worry man hope it all goes well .

[Crossfire]

I love Shimano and for under 100$ I would go with a Shimano Sahara 3000 spooled up with some suffix 832 or power pro 20lb! As for a rod I like fenwick and st croix!

[Cal]

I'm a fan of Daiwa myself. For a bait soakin' river rig forget about light weight 26 ball bearings yada yada... what I want is tough, reliable and versitatile IMO this one cant be beat...

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv45/exophysical/029-2.jpg

7' Shakespear Ugly Stick with a Daiwa BG 15 reel... http://www.daiwa.com/reel/detail.aspx?id=47..... honestly these things are tougher than about 85% of the baitcasters out there, not overly smooth but a real workhorse that you just cant kill. I used to wear out reels in two seasons and break at least one rod a year, this ones going on 4 years with no signs of slowing down. I have a 8.5' baitcasting rig with an Ambasadeur on it that has also stood up real well to though...

[New2Fishing]

so i've decided on a baitcaster http://www.basspro.com/Shimano-Caenan-Baitcast-Reel/Bass-Pro-Shops-Performance-Graphite-Rod-Combo/product/10229190/302595 its the Shimano Caenan reel. and for spinning i went to WSS today to get the Shimano Sonora reel and Shimano Voltaeus rod, but they did not have the Sonora 2500 only the 1000 which was to small and the 4000 which was too heavy, gonna hit up the other WSS in the city tomorrow... what does everyone think of my choices? decent? good? bad?

[chubbdarter]

Check under the sofa cushions for some extra change....get a Quantum Catalyst for 120. You wont be sorry.

Im not saying reels under 100 are all junk, but this year there is a huge difference in quality and perforamance when you cross the 100 buck line.

There is some reasoning behind what is behind glass at your tackle store.

[Sheepriverrules]

Get an Abu garcia i've had them for ever. I had the cardinal 100i until i dropped it in the sand but it was built tought as nails.

[TyreeUM]

They are talking Line Diameter , 50 lb braided line is like about 10-12 lb mono line . my 110 lb braided line I run on my reels which youll get guys saying over kill which I have one mission get that fish in NOW. that Diameter is the same as 25 lb mono I think it is maybe 30 . None the less braided and flurocarbon lines are far smaller then a mono line .

hahaha thats stronger line than I use surf fishing sharks!

[New2Fishing]

i already have an Abu Garcia, i have 2 actually...

[chubbdarter]

hahaha thats stronger line than I use surf fishing sharks!


Not sure the manufacturers ever wanted us to over load our reels just because line diameter went down in comparison.
They probably wanted us to use the new technology to be able to use ultra fine line of poundages that were good for the application.

saw a guy bust the stem off a spinning reel on a snag.......i laughed when he said........wow thats some tough line

[TyreeUM]

Not sure the manufacturers ever wanted us to over load our reels just because line diameter went down in comparison.
They probably wanted us to use the new technology to be able to use ultra fine line of poundages that were good for the application.

saw a guy bust the stem off a spinning reel on a snag.......i laughed when he said........wow thats some tough line

yeah how do you even break a snag off with 110? I use 80lb braid for surf, and it is horrific to try to break off. You can grab your reel, point your rod, and pull straight - but it is really hard on the bail.

[Cal]

yeah how do you even break a snag off with 110? I use 80lb braid for surf, and it is horrific to try to break off. You can grab your reel, point your rod, and pull straight - but it is really hard on the bail.

Yep and then you start having the rest of your terminal tackle fail and get people putting up posts like "the split rings on Rapalas are crap" "Berkly leaders are junk" "the stock hooks on pickerel rigs arent fit to pull in goldeye" etc...

The final irony is that because you cant break the line it gets cut off, then you have a big rats nest of 50 lb line that ends up claiming more hooks than the original snag. Most years I put on snorkle gear and go rescue rapalas out of my local river so I've seen this first hand... you guys are shooting yourselves in the foot with the heavy line. Creats more problems than it solves.

[TROLLER]

i myself love shimano, and was loking at the shimano sonora 4000fb....is that any good?

Shimano is a great reel but the 4000 as with other makes is big and heavy if you are planning on jiggn all day. The 2500 is a good all purpose reel.

[Rstone]

I bought a Mitchell 308xe 4 years ago and I love it. 50$ at the fishin hole

[Geezle]

so i've decided on a baitcaster http://www.basspro.com/Shimano-Caenan-Baitcast-Reel/Bass-Pro-Shops-Performance-Graphite-Rod-Combo/product/10229190/302595 its the Shimano Caenan reel. and for spinning i went to WSS today to get the Shimano Sonora reel and Shimano Voltaeus rod, but they did not have the Sonora 2500 only the 1000 which was to small and the 4000 which was too heavy, gonna hit up the other WSS in the city tomorrow... what does everyone think of my choices? decent? good? bad?

I have a Shimano Caenean and really enjoy it :)

Be careful though...that little low profile baitcaster and the Sonora you're looking at are similar creatures meant for similar work. With the drag and line capacity it's really more of a walleye reel than anything else.

If you're looking for a baitcaster to toss heavy weight out to soak bait in the river the Caenan is *not* it...you'll want to look at a larger round baitcaster. The round baitcaster will have a lot more drag (Caenan doesn't have a lot) and a lot more line capacity. It's also geared lower than the low profile reels and works more like a winch for bringing in big fish.

In your budget look at the Abu Garcia BCX https://www.thefishinhole.com/index.cfm?action=product&se=24807
Shimano Corvalus
https://www.thefishinhole.com/index.cfm?action=product&se=24303
Or the Abu Garcia 5500 C3
https://www.thefishinhole.com/index.cfm?action=product&se=20420

[New2Fishing]

BBJ did tell me that the Caenan won't be good for what i will be doing, I will look at the models yu and BBJ suggested...

[Cal]

BBJ did tell me that the Caenan won't be good for what i will be doing, I will look at the models yu and BBJ suggested...

Another plug for the Abu Ambasadeur, deffinatly worth the extra coin over the BCX.

[AbAngler]

Check under the sofa cushions for some extra change....get a Quantum Catalyst for 120. You wont be sorry.


This is the answer. Put it on medium Ugly Stick and you have a good set up for pretty much all of Alberta.

[BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES]

yeah how do you even break a snag off with 110? I use 80lb braid for surf, and it is horrific to try to break off. You can grab your reel, point your rod, and pull straight - but it is really hard on the bail.

I rarely break off due to snaggs , and thats the reason why I do it .Ive hauled in some pretty big trees .

But If I do get snagged The leader material I use snaps first or the hook straightens out . Heavy line and 30 or 40 lb flurocarbon leader .

[TyreeUM]

I rarely break off due to snaggs , and thats the reason why I do it .Ive hauled in some pretty big trees .

But If I do get snagged The leader material I use snaps first or the hook straightens out . Heavy line and 30 or 40 lb flurocarbon leader .

Geez what kind of rod do you walleye fish with? I feel like by using 110 lb braided line and a 40lb florocarbon leader, the weakest breaking point would be your rod...For what a quality walleye rod costs, it seems crazy!

[Geezle]

Another plug for the Abu Ambasadeur, deffinatly worth the extra coin over the BCX.

I think all the round Abu baitcasters are 'Ambassadeur' reels, but it's whatever comes after that which denotes the specific model. If I'm wrong I'm sure the forum police will correct me. :)

You're right though, the BCX is their entry level round baitcaster. I've used a buddy's a couple times and it seemed pretty solid.

I got a C3 at the Mayfield sale this spring and so far it's treated me well :)

[New2Fishing]

i wonder if i should wait a few days n see if they have a father's day sale on the better reels lol...

[BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES]

Geez what kind of rod do you walleye fish with? I feel like by using 110 lb braided line and a 40lb florocarbon leader, the weakest breaking point would be your rod...For what a quality walleye rod costs, it seems crazy!
Doubt my rod will break , running a 11 ft Diawa costal rod .In med heavy action . Perfect sturgeon setup.in my opinion.

Running Berkley lightning rod 5'6 light action rod , with Shamano straadic 1000 size reel spooled with 15 lb suffix 832 and 30 ft or so of Berkley 100% fluro .

My pike and river rods are the ones I go gong hoe with .

[TyreeUM]

love that stradic 1000!

[Cal]

I think all the round Abu baitcasters are 'Ambassadeur' reels, but it's whatever comes after that which denotes the specific model. If I'm wrong I'm sure the forum police will correct me. :)

You're right though, the BCX is their entry level round baitcaster. I've used a buddy's a couple times and it seemed pretty solid.

I got a C3 at the Mayfield sale this spring and so far it's treated me well :)

yeah that would be corect, the first baitcaster I owned was a BCX. It WAS solid but I could never cast as far with it as with the C3's I have owned. I've owned the 5500 and two 6500's, never owned a 4500 but I have often thought longingly about replacing my low profile reels with 4500's.

[Geezle]

yeah that would be corect, the first baitcaster I owned was a BCX. It WAS solid but I could never cast as far with it as with the C3's I have owned. I've owned the 5500 and two 6500's, never owned a 4500 but I have often thought longingly about replacing my low profile reels with 4500's.

I didn't know they came in a 4500 size...that would make a pretty wicked pike reel

[chubbdarter]

Doubt my rod will break , running a 11 ft Diawa costal rod .In med heavy action . Perfect sturgeon setup.in my opinion.

Running Berkley lightning rod 5'6 light action rod , with Shamano straadic 1000 size reel spooled with 15 lb suffix 832 and 30 ft or so of Berkley 100% fluro .

My pike and river rods are the ones I go gong hoe with .



You must be pro staff with them too, can you get me some 15lb suffix 832?

[Geezle]

:lol:

[BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES]

You must be pro staff with them too, can you get me some 15lb suffix 832?

Nope but the line is 20 lb suffix 832 they don't make 15 lb . Some reason I thought 15 . My mistake .

[Cal]

I didn't know they came in a 4500 size...that would make a pretty wicked pike reel

IMO the 5500 and 6500 make pretty wicked pike reels. Not that the 4500 wouldnt be an awesome pike winch but I'm picturing them sitting on a few of my walleye rigs, spooled up with some 10 lb Maxima, sexy and glistening and ready for action, just begging to take my crawler deep...

[New2Fishing]

Quick question for everyone, is the C4 better than the C3, if so would you pick Abu Garcia C4 or Shimano Corvlalus or Shimano Cardiff?? Thx guys!!!!

[New2Fishing]

hehe looking for a decent Baitcaser if i'm gonna get one instead on having to buy another in the future...

[BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES]

Quick question for everyone, is the C4 better than the C3, if so would you pick Abu Garcia C4 or Shimano Corvlalus or Shimano Cardiff?? Thx guys!!!!

I'd go with the Abu over the corvlaus .ut you wanted. 100 limit .

[New2Fishing]

well bass pro shop has the abu c4 for 104.99 pretty close to the $100 limit... dont even know why i set the limit hahaha i'm gonna end up getting one over $100 anyways...

[BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES]

well bass pro shop has the abu c4 for 104.99 pretty close to the $100 limit... dont even know why i set the limit hahaha i'm gonna end up getting one over $100 anyways...

But like Chubb said the quality of reels over 100.00 are really nice and the quality is there . After buying 6 new reels this year all over a 100 and 2 over 300. I like the 100 dollar ones better . The takota is ok but not to sure about them .

[New2Fishing]

icic, what would be some good picks for reels if was looking somewhere between the 100-150, no $150 isn't the limit but probably gonna spend around there... I want a Shimano reel, but they don't have a big selection when it come to the round reels.

[chubbdarter]

Whoaaa.....settle down

New to fishing
Wanting a decent river rod
Thinking spinning and now a top drive


Ask yourself this
Do i want to toss light jigs with this combo?
Do i want to slip bobber fish with this combo?
Do i want to chuck light cranks, spoons and spinners?
In conjunction with fishing with pickeral rigs like you said previously

[BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES]

icic, what would be some good picks for reels if was looking somewhere between the 100-150, no $150 isn't the limit but probably gonna spend around there... I want a Shimano reel, but they don't have a big selection when it come to the round reels.

Tell me where your gonna go shopping then I'll get you links from those stores .

[New2Fishing]

well i already decided what i wanted to get for a new spnning rod/reel... because i don't know anything about baitcast i stll can't decide on a reel... but BBJ says its best to get a round reel if i'm river fishing and thats where we are at... Oh ya i'll probably be trying to learn to us spoons and spinners, i use a bobber/sinker right now =/

[New2Fishing]

i can shop at WSS, Cabelas and TFH, I can also order online from Bass Pro Shop...

[BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES]

i can shop at WSS, Cabelas and TFH, I can also order online from Bass Pro Shop...

Ok I'll go with wholesale .

CARDIFF Shimano 129.95
C4 SERIES Abu Garcia 144.95. <
CORVALUS Shimano 87.95. <
Tough to compare the two , I'd go with the C4 but either wouldn't be a bad choice .

[chubbdarter]

well i already decided what i wanted to get for a new spnning rod/reel... because i don't know anything about baitcast i stll can't decide on a reel... but BBJ says its best to get a round reel if i'm river fishing and thats where we are at... Oh ya i'll probably be trying to learn to us spoons and spinners, i use a bobber/sinker right now =/


i wont argue with bbj but i remind you back lash adjustments are finer on a low profile as opposed to a drum reel.

your choice and good luck

[BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES]

i wont argue with bbj but i remind you back lash adjustments are finer on a low profile as opposed to a drum reel.

your choice and good luck

I know your conserns I share them to but told this guy I'd give a few lessons . I've been using these reels for a long time now all but my jigging rods are all baitcasters .

[New2Fishing]

thx guys, C4 it is... i'll probably drive down to Calgary to buy it when i have time since it's much cheaper at BPS... ordering online costs $23.50 for delivery zzzzz...

[New2Fishing]

one last thing, can u suggest me some lures/spoons/spinners i should pick up at the store if i'm learning to baitcast... =)

[BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES]

one last thing, can u suggest me some lures/spoons/spinners i should pick up at the store if i'm learning to baitcast... =)

Google bbj tackle lol . I don't support other fishing lure makers . I use my stuff .

[New2Fishing]

did not know u had a line... stupid of me it's used in ur signature.... bbjtackle lol

[chubbdarter]

Google bbj tackle lol . I don't support other fishing lure makers . I use my stuff .


Now i understand, i catch on slow.

|Check mate, nicely played sir

[BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES]

did not know u had a line... stupid of me it's used in ur signature.... bbjtackle lol

Yes . If you google bbj tackle stuff will pop up .

As for driving all the way to bass pro to save 40.00 might be a crazy move as you'll spend more in fuel , unless you've never been. Wholesale might even price match as might others .

[New2Fishing]

really? i didnt even know WSS Cabelas or TFH would do price matches... if any of them did that would be awesome.....

[BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES]

really? i didnt even know WSS Cabelas or TFH would do price matches... if any of them did that would be awesome.....

I'm not sure if they will but they might , I'd ask . Even cabelas may . They like to compete with bass pro.