the title says it all . whats your preferred spinning reel under or around $100. durablity , versatilty,castabliy, features .etc..

Under $100 would have to be the Shimano Sahara. Solid reel for $80.

Pflueger President.

One more for the sahara

x2 plueger president

Just picked up a sahara. I love it

I haven't used either , but have played with them at my local bass pro . very solid reels.

I have 2 pflueger presidents ..they're nice reels very smooth for the price. The only complaint I would have is that when I go to make a cast the bail doesn't click and prevents me from casting sometimes. This is a problem for both of my reels the 6935, 6930.. Honestly I've been wanting to buy a new reel for my dropshot rod and I was thinking of buying the shimano Sahara.

what size are you guys using ?

x4 for the Shimano Sahara.  I use the 4000 size for 3 reasons.  1) balances the rod out better, 2) The larger spool helps the line from getting alot of memory especially fluorocarbon, 3) because of #2 I seem to get just a tad more distance on a cast.

x4 for the Shimano Sahara.  I use the 4000 size for 3 reasons.  1) balances the rod out better, 2) The larger spool helps the line from getting alot of memory especially fluorocarbon, 3) because of #2 I seem to get just a tad more distance on a cast.

The 4000 seems pretty big , i usually use 8lb mono. never had a problem . and i get great casting distance from a $35 daiwa .

Pflueger President

Pfleuger President size 30

The 4000 seems pretty big , i usually use 8lb mono. never had a problem . and i get great casting distance from a $35 daiwa .

 

The smaller sizes handle mono just fine, its when you step up to fluorocarbon or braid that causes issues, atleast for me.  If you look at what size reels the guys on the Elite Series have a good percentage of them use the 4000/40 size.

the sahara is a smooth reel . i'm giving my uncle & dad one for fathers day . i think they feel smoother than the president.

Pfleuger President.  You will NOT be disappointed.  Shimano makes some very good reels, but in the price range you are speaking of, the President blows everything away.

Pflueger President or President XT

Pflueger Supreme MG can be had on sale or on some sites for under 100 bucks...Great reel. Check out the New Pflueger Purist as well. I just picked one up. It may very well turn out to be the best 80 dollar reel on the market.

Daiwa Exceler.

I have been very pleased with my $50 Shimano Sonora 2500's (the orange ones) I bought them to replace, slightly higher priced reels from other brands that just did not hold up. Not only were the Sonora's cheaper, but they have outlasted the "others" as far as usage time goes. In fact they have gotten smoother and better with age, and with ZERO maint.

I have been very pleased with my $50 Shimano Sonora 2500's (the orange ones) I bought them to replace, slightly higher priced reels from other brands that just did not hold up. Not only were the Sonora's cheaper, but they have outlasted the "others" as far as usage time goes. In fact they have gotten smoother and better with age, and with ZERO maint.

On that thought, I also have two Shimano Spirex reels. I like the double handles and quick cast features. Great reel for $50, if not having instant anti-reverse is an issue...

Daiwa Exceler.

While the Exceler didn't tickle my fancy, the new Lexa spinning reel definitely is. The experience I've had with my Lexa 100 bait caster has wowed me to Daiwa's quality.

I haven't gotten my hands on a Lexa spinner. It was a little out of the price range, and since it's brand new, well, didn't want to recommend something I know nothing about. They do look pretty sweet.

I can't make up my mind. It's a toss up between my Pflueger President XT or the GM Tournament series(combo) I bought 5 years ago and is still working great. It's before the GSX series came out.

Shimany Symetre on sale.

 

It was a fluke, but I got a Abu Revo spinning reel for $80 two years ago. They realized the mistake and would only honor one of the 6 in my cart. LMAO

I've gotten to use two of the reels people are advising - the Sahara and the President.  I would think either of these would be fine choices.

 

For my own setups, I am now a dedicated Pflueger fan.  They consistently seem to 'feel' like a reel above their price point.  And, since I'm on a tight budget, that matters to me.