Shimano Symetre 2500 for dropshoting on a Clarus 6'6" M MF, Revo SX 30 BPS Carbonlite 6'8" M XF for shakey head.

Quantum Energy or Smoke 30 size

Pflueger - I have a President 6735, a Supreme 9025XT, and a Supreme 8025MG.

I have a Symetre, a Smoke, a President, an Aird, an Abu Garcia, a Mitchell....and a few others.  I don't pick it up first every time, but to me, my favorite is a Shimano Sienna 2500.  That reel was all of $25.  Only maintenance was annual surface clean and oil.  It has outlasted nearly every other reel I've had.  Takes a beating....and works like it did the day I got it.  If I was going to get a reel today under $100, I'd probably get a President, however.  It is a little smoother and also has given me no problems whatsoever.

Stradic any

Pflueger president 6930 with 6 or 8 pound test. Anything above 8 pound test I use casting gear.

X2---best "cheap" reel going

I use a custom built  6'6" MH fast action IMX  G-LOOMIS on  a Shimano Spirex Quick Fire with rear drag. and a

7'  HVY G-LOOMIS IMX on a Spirex SR 2500

 

I use the Spirex  Models so I can open the bail with my same right hand casting hand.

 

I have a Symetre, a Smoke, a President, an Aird, an Abu Garcia, a Mitchell....and a few others. I don't pick it up first every time, but to me, my favorite is a Shimano Sienna 2500. That reel was all of $25. Only maintenance was annual surface clean and oil. It has outlasted nearly every other reel I've had. Takes a beating....and works like it did the day I got it. If I was going to get a reel today under $100, I'd probably get a President, however. It is a little smoother and also has given me no problems whatsoever.

I like my Sienna better than my Sonora. I never tried any other Shimano reel though.

I've used the same abu/zebco cardinal 4 reel since about 1975- fourty years. I have had ZERO problems except for a very few line twists. I did buy a new rotor cup about. 1978/79 if I go out today that reel or it's twenty or so brothers(cardinal 3,4 or 6) is what I pick up first. I do like my stradic 2000's also.

Edited August 23, 201510 yr by woody osborne

Daiwa tournament ss 1300. Theres a reason it is still being made exactly the same way after all these years

Stradic CI4+ 2500

Pflueger.... I own Presidents', Supremes, and Supreme XTs. Their sizes range from 20's to 30's. They're all great reels, but to pick one it'd be a 25 size Supreme XT . To me, it's the rod it's paired with that makes it a favorite.

OKUMA Epixor 10 ball bearings.

FIN-NOR AHAB LITE size #200, #300, #400

Globe

Viva

3 Vintage Sustain 2500s when I rarely fish spinning. ( new Sustains don't interest me at all)

However I like my Twinpower just as much

Shimano Stradic 2500, But stay away from the FI's

 Shimano Saharas 2500.  They are my work horse reels.  But I bought a Shimano Stradic CI4+ 3000 last year and Iv'e been fishing it a lot this year and Iv'e been grabbing it more and more when I go fishing.  I really love how light it is.  It weighs super light.  

Both Daiwa and Shimano are very smooth and precise, good drags, and have been reliable for me.  but the thing I really like about the Daiwas (2500 size) is that the bail closes very smoothly and with little effort.  Significantly better than the Shimano Stradics and Symetres.  I've not owned other brands exc for an old Quantum which was very rough compared with the Daiwas and Shimanos.  I cut it up and use the stem for a guide alignment tool for rod building.  My next reel will be a Daiwa.

Diawa 13 Certate 2500

Stradic FJ 2500

Stradic ci4+. Super smooth and light

any stradic 2500

My Stradic 1000 and 2000 FG. I have had them both for over 10 years with out a single issue.

Shimano IX 4000R

My "go to" is a Shimano Symetre 2500 or 3000

My favorite is my Stella 3000 FD

I'm old school, still use my 1962 Mitchell 300, still my first choice when conditions allow, still have 3 NIB dating to 1952.