Korean made reels are not bad either. I have a couple that work great, last for years and still smooth.

 

I understand some Lew's and Abu reels are made in the same factory in Korea as Browning reels. (just something I read on the internet, so not confirmed) Even some Bass Pro brand reels are made in Korea.

Korean made reels are not bad either. I have a couple that work great, last for years and still smooth.

 

I understand some Lew's and Abu reels are made in the same factory in Korea as Browning reels. (just something I read on the internet, so not confirmed) Even some Bass Pro brand reels are made in Korea.

 

Yeah, the Lew's and Abu are made in the same Korean factory. Good stuff. I'm pretty sure BPS and Browning are manufactured in the same place, so I wouldn't venture far to say they all may come from the same factory made to each company's specific order...

Pfleuger president definitely has been a great reel for me. So smooth!

Korean made reels are not bad either. I have a couple that work great, last for years and still smooth.

 

I understand some Lew's and Abu reels are made in the same factory in Korea as Browning reels. (just something I read on the internet, so not confirmed) Even some Bass Pro brand reels are made in Korea.

By the way, Welcome to the biggest shimano cult on the internet.  Don't let let it leave a bad taste in your mouth, hope you post often.....

I have been a shimano fanatic since the mid 1980's. But shimano has not been keeping up with the other reel manufacturers. For 15 years or more all I used was shimano and still use them as most of my baitcast reels are shimano and now less than half of my spinning reels are shimano, but this is changing... and shimano has no one to blame but themselves.

 

When I opened up my old stradic I could not believe shimano would be dumb enough to put one ball bearing on the left side of the main drive gear and a plastic bushing on the other side. What was the point to that? To save them money? If you put a ball bearing on one side of an axle it only makes sense to do the same thing to the other side, but they did not do that. That sort of thing turns me off to shimano. Cheaper pflueger president reels have a ball bearing on  each side, so what is shimano's problem? Shimano has lost my loyalty with stuff like that.

 

Thanks for the welcome!

I have been a shimano fanatic since the mid 1980's. But shimano has not been keeping up with the other reel manufacturers. For 15 years or more all I used was shimano and still use them as most of my baitcast reels are shimano and now less than half of my spinning reels are shimano, but this is changing... and shimano has no one to blame but themselves.

When I opened up my old stradic I could not believe shimano would be dumb enough to put one ball bearing on the left side of the main drive gear and a plastic bushing on the other side. What was the point to that? To save them money? If you put a ball bearing on one side of an axle it only makes sense to do the same thing to the other side, but they did not do that. That sort of thing turns me off to shimano. Cheaper pflueger president reels have a ball bearing on each side, so what is shimano's problem? Shimano has lost my loyalty with stuff like that.

Thanks for the welcome!

I agree. The new symetres have a bushing instead of a bearing on one side of the drive gear. The older symetres had bearings on both sides. I'd like to hear the reasoning behind that from shimano.

Also a 39 dollar trion or 59 dollar president has a bearing in the handle knob, but a 179 dollar stradic doesn't. Go figure.

So far I'm loving my pflueger president!

X2 for the President

I primarily use Pflueger for my spinning reel needs, of the many I own, I enjoy the Supreme, it IMO offers a very good value for your money.

I like the Pflueger Trion and President.

I have a Supreme XT that I find to be a fantastic reel. All the meat of the patriarch and a little faster ratio, just without the sexy carbon bits.

Cannot compliment it highly enough even after years of service. It is smooth, dependable and a pleasure to fish with. A little on the expensive side but I still think it's a good deal.

I've always been a big Shimano fan. I own several of the Sahara & Symetre models. However, since last purchasing a Pflueger President, I'm changing my mind. The Shimanos are becoming increasingly expensive. The President can be found for under $50.00, which, to me, is simply amazing. The reel is extremely smooth (you just cannot feel any gear teeth on retrieve) and the drag is excellent. I've only had it for one full season, so I can't speak for it's durability - yet. I do believe I will be picking up a couple of more of these Presidents this season.

My favorite budget spinning reel is the stradic 1000 fj. My favorite highend would be the stella 1000 fe.

 

Looking forward to getting a vanquish or the new stella in the future...

Favorite of what I own are my Stradic 1000FI reels.

 

Would love to upgrade to a newer model, but not in 

the cards any time soon.

 

Also really like my Lexa 2000SH, but not my fav.

My favorite budget spinning reel is the stradic 1000 fj. My favorite highend would be the stella 1000 fe.

 

Looking forward to getting a vanquish or the new stella in the future...

 

You might want to consider the newest model:  http://www.shimanofish.com.au/products/fishing-reels/spinning/stella-fi.html

You might want to consider the newest model:  http://www.shimanofish.com.au/products/fishing-reels/spinning/stella-fi.html

 

Maybe in the future, im having fun with my finesse casting reels at the moment. Havent used a spinning reel in 6 months and dont really miss it... 

I am all about high end gear. I understand the benefits and lore of owning a nice piece of fishing equipment. For some reason I just can't come to terms with 800 dollar spinning reels like the Steeze and the Stella. The Certate at 500 is also above my comprehension and appreciation. Someone tell me why these reels command this kind of price.

I sent my 2500FB to Mike at DVT to balance on a custom he built for me.

The reel was perfect, but what the heck, I had him service it while he had

it in his shop. The reel had never been fully broken down and frankly, I don't

think it needed a thing. It's hard to improve a 10/10, but I am still saving my

pennies for a FI.

 

BTW, I have a newer Model, 2500 FD, but I prefer the FB.

It seems a bit more compact to me.

 

 

 

 

I am all about high end gear. I understand the benefits and lore of owning a nice piece of fishing equipment. For some reason I just can't come to terms with 800 dollar spinning reels like the Steeze and the Stella. The Certate at 500 is also above my comprehension and appreciation. Someone tell me why these reels command this kind of price.

 

It's like holding kity cat in the palm of your hand.

It's like holding kity cat in the palm of your hand.

I ain't payin 800 for one of them either. LOL

I have owned 5 models, all NIB and paid around $300 for each from the original owners.

Two were won in tournaments and the guy just wanted quick money. I don't really know

how the others were acquired, but I bought three of my five from BR members in the

Flea Market.

I have owned 5 models, all NIB and paid around $300 for each from the original owners.

Two were won in tournaments and the guy just wanted quick money. I don't really know

how the others were acquired, but I bought three of my five from BR members in the

Flea Market.

I'm interested enough that I would be a player at 300, my concern about buying new would be that if you are buying NIB reels for 300, how well do they hold their value?

I am all about high end gear. I understand the benefits and lore of owning a nice piece of fishing equipment. For some reason I just can't come to terms with 800 dollar spinning reels like the Steeze and the Stella. The Certate at 500 is also above my comprehension and appreciation. Someone tell me why these reels command this kind of price.

 

I have 4 different certates that I have purchased new. They all were all priced between $200 & $350. They are a good buy in that price range. I call them a poor man's Stella.

I have 4 different certates that I have purchased new. They all were all priced between $200 & $350. They are a good buy in that price range. I call them a poor man's Stella.

Seems like a good/fair price for an upper end reel, would you consider buying one at retail now that you have had the advantage of using them?

i've never seen the value in spending over $100 on a spinning reel period.... i just don't use them enough to justify.

that said, i picked up a pfleuger patriarch on a smoking deal and could not be happier.  the thing is smooth as silk and looks awesome.

but if that deal were not available, a supreme or a shimano symettre would have likely been the next choice.

Seems like a good/fair price for an upper end reel, would you consider buying one at retail now that you have had the advantage of using them?

I think any of them under $400 are a good buy. I would not pay full retail. Either wait for a 20% off sale or JDM model.