If you had a $100-$200 budget what are you guys buying in a 2500 size? 

Pflueger Supreme XT, hands down.  If going to $199 isn't a problem, the Patriarch.

7 minutes ago, DogBone_384 said:

Pflueger Supreme XT, hands down.  If going to $199 isn't a problem, the Patriarch.

Funny I keep hearing how great pfluegrs are I went through 3 presidents before finally giving up. Worst line lay I’ve ever seen on all 3

11 minutes ago, Jcj90 said:

Funny I keep hearing how great pfluegrs are I went through 3 presidents before finally giving up. Worst line lay I’ve ever seen on all 3

Seems you got 3 lemons. I have a President and Trion that I used last year. Given their performance for me, I added another President and Trion for this coming year. I've been using Pflueger spinning reels for over 40 years - still have my 'ancient' 640 from the 70s and after a cleaning, I could put it on a rod and use it still.

 

If I had the budget, I'd go with the Supreme-XT if no the Patriarch...I'm confident in Pfluegers.

I used Pflueger for years until I bought a Daiwa tatula Lt. It’s awesome so much lighter. For bass fishing I would go with the 3000 CHX shallow spool this is the one I have. I use 10lb braid with a leader. It holds plenty of line. 

Shimano and Daiwa are the top companies in the bass reel business, stick with one of those brands.....

 

 

I have been going all diawa for my spinning reels. Fuego is a decent reel for $99, but keep in mind I felt a few that seemed off out of the box. Could just be a manufacturer thing but some felt smooth as butter and another felt like it had slight resistance.  Want to drop the entire $200 go for the tatula, light and smooth. If you go Shimano I will say that the Sahara felt a lot smoother than the Nasci, again could be a defect.  

25 minutes ago, tbone1993 said:

I have been going all diawa for my spinning reels. Fuego is a decent reel for $99, but keep in mind I felt a few that seemed off out of the box. Could just be a manufacturer thing but some felt smooth as butter and another felt like it had slight resistance.  Want to drop the entire $200 go for the tatula, light and smooth. If you go Shimano I will say that the Sahara felt a lot smoother than the Nasci, again could be a defect.  

Shimanos quality control is awful I’ve seen the same thing although when you get a nice shimano they are tough to beat. I’m really leaning towards a stradic FL

Tatula LT is my go to in that price range. 

always lews and abu garcia that sell spinning reels... shimano and diawa arent the only ones with quality reels.

I chose the Stradic FL when I was debating the same thing in December. Haven't fished it yet as we still have ice, but playing with it, I feel it's very solid, smooth and great line lay. It's heavier than the Tatula Lt, but feels more solid to me. Not saying the Tatula is bad at all. 

I am partial to Daiwa.  Love my BG.  If I were spending that much, I'd probably go with the 2000 Procyon LT.  Or for more, the same size Tatula LT.

 

I am not normally a fan of orange, but got to say I would love to have a Supreme XT 30.  I think Pflueger has some nice looking reels.  Older Presidents have an excellent reputation.  I've read the newer models aren't as nice.

 

If it weren't for the finish problem I've read about, I wouldn't mind trying an Okuma Helios SX.  Never used an Okuma spinning reel, but have enjoyed using Okuma baitcast reels.  They are a lot of reel for the money.

4 hours ago, DogBone_384 said:

Pflueger Supreme XT, hands down.  If going to $199 isn't a problem, the Patriarch.

I second this. 

2 hours ago, walleyecrazy said:

Tatula LT is my go to in that price range. 

What’s the deal with the LT reels holding so much line on a 2500 series

4 minutes ago, Jcj90 said:

What’s the deal with the LT reels holding so much line on a 2500 series

Lot of Diawa spinning reels use a deep spool - which does hold more line than a standard spool.

xxxx2500D - the 'D' in the model number indicates a deep spool.

4 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Seems you got 3 lemons.

   I got 3 lemons, too. First was a 35 size Supreme XT, then a 40 size Patriarch, and then a 30 size patriarch. Spirit Lake gave me 2 Revo size 35 reels in return for my trouble. One was an SL, and one was an SLX.  The SLX wouldn't even turn, right out of the box.

   I can understand 1 lemon. It happens, y'know. But two is a danger signal.  Three? That should NEVER happen! I wouldn't use a Pflueger reel if you gave it to me free.       jj  

5 hours ago, Jcj90 said:

Funny I keep hearing how great pfluegrs are I went through 3 presidents before finally giving up. Worst line lay I’ve ever seen on all 3

In my opinion you can tell when you get an older President vs a newer President. The newer ones are flimsy with horrible line lay. The older ones are stout tanks with no problems at all. That's what I assume it is anyways, older vs newer. No other explanation for why I've gotten some that are built well and some that are more plastic-y and cheap.

Daiwa Tatula LT 3000chx. Silky smooth. Never had a wind knot. You'll never look back.

32 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

Daiwa Tatula LT 3000chx. Silky smooth. Never had a wind knot. You'll never look back.

How does the 3000 tatula size compare to a 2500 shimano?

Unlike Daiwas of the past, the LT's spool sizes are more in line with the rest of the industry. The 3000's frame is small, but the spool diameter is comparable to other maker's 3000 sized reels which is desirable for line management compared to sizes below it. This is a bigger deal if you're spooling with straight mono or fluoro, but not so much with braid. You'll get better distance because of the larger spool regardless of line choice. The CHX has a shallow spool, so you're not wasting line, but get the advantage of a larger diameter spool lip. If it matters to you the LT still has an anti-reverse switch where the Stradic doesn't. I don't want to live without it personally for reasons beyond back-reeling. If you have concerns about the size, or want to make whatever comparison you can just by holding the reels and spinning the handles, call J&H. They probably have both in stock and they're just a few miles from you. They have a ton of reels out in the counter display, which is huge, and they seem happy to let anyone play with them.

13 hours ago, suzuki2903 said:

always lews and abu garcia that sell spinning reels... shimano and diawa arent the only ones with quality reels.

True, but I prefer the highest quality.  

6 hours ago, Jcj90 said:

How does the 3000 tatula size compare to a 2500 shimano?

Physical size, they're pretty similar. Spool capacity, depends on the model of 3000. Weight, the Tatula is quite a bit lighter.

Team Lew’s Custom Pro Speed Spin for $129

 

I own one and it is the finest spinning reel I have handled. I would buy another.

17 hours ago, Jcj90 said:

If you had a $100-$200 budget what are you guys buying in a 2500 size? 

I'd take $30 away from some other budget item and buy the Shimano Stradic CI4+ 2500 for $230.

 

I’m with majority on Supreme XT! I’ve owned mine for 6 years running. Had to order a new reel handle but it’s an amazing reel. I was looking on TackleWarehouse and I found this sweet deal. A Daiwa JDM Ballistic FW LT Spinning Reel. Right now 39% off originally $319.98 on sale for $194.98. To me that’s a steal for a spinning reel.