PatrickKnight

Shimano makes the best spinning reels in the world but they really don't come into their own until the Stradic line. The Supreme is a solid reel for $100 however I think the Daiwa BG is a better reel at that same price point but it does weigh about a half oz more than the Supreme does.

I would drift a curly tail on the lightest weight jig I could use to hang close to the bottom and do my best to hit every rock I could.

Shimano everytime

What type of fish will you be targeting? I regularly go after 30+ inch Redfish on 10 lb braid and a 3000 size spinning reel. In fact short of a large Tarpon I have caught just about every inshore fish the states of Florida and Texas can offer on that same reel.

Most any reel can be used in the salt so long as you take care of it and don't dunk it very often.

Stradic FK 3000 or Daiwa Ballistic 2500

All I fish is rivers and 95% of that is wading. I do not like rods under 7 feet long as I feel it hinders my casting distance to much. A medium light should do double duty just fine, as I have caught 25 inch redfish on a ml and I can promise you there is no trout or bass that pulls like they do. I also prefer braided line over mono but for as little as you say you are going to be fishing it might not be worth the cost to you as you would really need leaders going after trout imo, I would also go with 6 lb over 8.

I catch more fish swimming a grub every year than I do every other bait combine. I like smoke metal flake and green pumpkin the best for colors, 3-5 inch sizes, and I fish them on 1/16-1/4 oz ball head jigs. 90% of them time I fish them with a slow and steady just off the bottom trying to hit every rock I can. Also it should be noted I fish rivers and for smallmouth.

Thanks guys!

Best one out there imo and exactly what I was going to post.

Is that from Daiwa or retailers?

The BG 3000 is a fairly heavy reel and would likely balance better on the split grip mojo. I would go with the medium power as well.

The one thing I hate about Shimano reels is they stop making parts not long after they discontinue a model. My question is does Daiwa do the same or are parts for discontinued reels still readily available? Thinking about getting a Procyon but dont want parts to be impossible to find like they are for my older Stradics.

So very true. I have avoided rods I wanted to try due to them being white.

You can get a Procyon currently for right around $100

I think they kidda screwed themselves with the BG. Nothing on the market I have tried compares at $100. I am really curious to see how the new Fuego works out. I need a new reel and was set on a BG but I think I might hold off until reports for this one come in.

My Sierra is a very nice rod the only issue I have with it is that it needs a 9ish oz spinning reel to balance it out.

10-20 lb braid would be my choice. I use regular Power Pro.

Why do you feel less line is better?

3000 for me. Same frame as a 2500 with more line capacity (I dont see this as a down side but some say its not needed) and I personally like the T shaped handle.

What rods do you have them paired with?? I have been pretty impressed with how well my 3000 FK holds up to saltwater use. IT currently has about 15 hours of wading the gulf under its belt with zero issue at all. It even got fully submerged when I took a spill on my last trip and all I do is just rinse it off after each trip.

Stradic or Daiwa Ballistic. IMO once you get to the $200 price point and above nothing really competes with Shimano and Daiwa

I am going to get something with a full cork handle on it (my budget is about $200 so I am going with an Avid most likely).

I throw Shakey heads and senkos on a Sierra 703 and it fishes them just fine. One thing is my Dobyns is pretty tip heavy with a Stradic FK 3000 on it so I would bet it will be terrible with a Ci4 on there. I am actually going to get a heavier reel for the rod to better balance it out.

All I fish is spinning tackle and all I fish is braid. I will sometimes use a leader and sometimes go straight braid. I use Power Pro from 10-20 lb.