Need a little help with recommending a spinning reel to a friend.  Budget will probably be $75, max, including tax and or shipping.  I don't keep up with spinning reels anymore.  This will be used with #8 or #10 line.

What reels should I suggest looking at?  Open to any brands.

Thanks!

Shimano Sahara or Daiwa Exceler in the 2500 size.

Here you go:

http://www.deloscustomtackleshack.com/reels/shimanosymetrefi.html

With a little shopping I'm sure you could find the 2500 for the same price.

Heck, you might even find a Stradic FH series for something close to $75

on closeout.

8-)

I bought a symetre FI on clearance at Dick's for $49.99.  You should try that or academy had them for about the same price.

Okuma Epixor. Okuma might make the best reels for the money out there. Though they tend to be a little on the heavier side, they are solid, smooth reels and wont break the bank

Pflueger President for $60 plus tax or shipping either one.  Also Pflueger Trion for only $40 if you want to save some money.  Only differences between them is the President has 3 extra bearings, 2 in the handle crank and one beneath the spool for when the drag slips.  The Trion does not have those 3 bearings.  Also the President has an aluminum sideplate with a graphite frame but the Trion is all graphite.  The President has 10 bearings total and the Trion has 7.  Other than the differences I named, and of course COLOR, they are identical, and both excellent reels.  I have one of each and I'm not really sure which one I like best.  The 30 or 35 sizes are the better ones in these.  6730X and 6735X for President, and 4730GX or 4735GX for Trion.

Of course those are retail prices I mentioned and if you could get a Shimano Symetre for less or equal then that might be a better reel since it is an aluminum frame instead of graphite.  I just don't care for Shimano's spinning reels much but I love Pfluegers, that's all.  

Daiwa Regal-XiA, $50.

I use Shimano's and Daiwa's (I just bought 8 Citicas), but on the Spinning reel side I like Daiwa.  I think the Exceler is the best reel for that dollar, and a better and more feature laden reel versus the older Symetre.  

The Pflueger Presidents are pretty amazing reels at that price point.

no need to spend that much.

u can get this reel for around 50 bucks or less and its perfect in every way.

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewquantumincyte.html

i have two and im buying one more. inshore/flats and freshwater, first one is two years old or so and feels like the day i bought it.

as usual TT gave it a "fair" rating due to very weird "cons". buy the "40" size. magic.

Pflueger President or Trion.  Great reels for the money.  Those are the only ones I own.

Pflueger President spinning reel 6740....... or..... on sale at Dick's sporting goods is the Shimano Symetre 2500 FI.........

Either one of these reels are terrific for a guy on a budget..... I have them both and do prefer the Symetre a little better, but I still love my Pflueger......

Great to see this question asked and with such an open mind is even better.

Pflueger President $59 or less

Pflueger Medalist $79 max

Shimano Symetre $79 or less

No experience but some of the Cardinals seem to have come a long way and are very affordable ( Tin loves some of the Cardinal series )

Gander Mountain GST series  ( 30 or 35 size )

These are virtual clones to the Medalist and can be had often for $20 + ship

Offer

I have a GST40 size that I will sell for $20 + shipping

Here's the catch

He doesn't pay for the reel up front

1) he or you has to write a review ( good or bad doesn't matter, can be short )

If he likes it he buys it if he doesn't like it....

2) one of you must know a deserving youngster and you give the kid the reel ( nobody pays, not even shipping)

If no youngster in need he pays to ship the reel to Muddy for his program

3) if he likes the reel and money is an issue he doesn't pay

Kind of a whacky offer Let me know if interested

FFI - AKA Matt Crum

PS hey Keith / Flech when is the big day?

I usually grab my Exceler before my Stradic FH.  It's not quite as smooth, but casts further and line management is as good if not better.  Only concern is that bail trips prematurely slightly more often wit Exceler than Shimano.  My Dad finds it more difficult to trip the bail by turning the crank, but that's not a problem for me since I flip it by hand.  Cheers

 

Offer

I have a GST40 size that I will sell for $20 + shipping

Here's the catch

He doesn't pay for the reel up front

1) he or you has to write a review ( good or bad doesn't matter, can be short )

If he likes it he buys it if he doesn't like it....

2) one of you must know a deserving youngster and you give the kid the reel ( nobody pays, not even shipping)

If no youngster in need he pays to ship the reel to Muddy for his program

3) if he likes the reel and money is an issue he doesn't pay

Kind of a whacky offer Let me know if interested

:oNow how you gonna beat an offer like that??  

Offer

I have a GST40 size that I will sell for $20 + shipping

Here's the catch

He doesn't pay for the reel up front

1) he or you has to write a review ( good or bad doesn't matter, can be short )

If he likes it he buys it if he doesn't like it....

2) one of you must know a deserving youngster and you give the kid the reel ( nobody pays, not even shipping)

If no youngster in need he pays to ship the reel to Muddy for his program

3) if he likes the reel and money is an issue he doesn't pay

Kind of a whacky offer Let me know if interested

FFI - AKA Matt Crum

PS hey Keith / Flech when is the big day?

Contact Muddy, get his shipping addy and send the reel to him straight.  I'll pay the $20 + shipping.  I'll need your mailing address.  

[b]NO DO NOT DO THIS PLEASE I DO NOT WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN ANY DEALS HERE PLEASE

Best bet if you don't want to shop around for deals on higher priced reels is the Pflueger President.

If you want to shop though, Dick's has some fantastic deals on the Shimano Symetre and the Daiwa Capricorn. I have all 3 of these reels and they are all solid choices. My favorite is the Capricorn with the President and the Symetre tied for second place.

Matt,

That is a great offer, thank you.... but I will pass on it. I really just want to steer a friend towards a good reel that is within his budget. He is buying it as a gift, so he would like it to be a new reel. (I offered him a gently used reel already)

The big day is coming soon...  officially due 11/10 but the Dr. thinks we'll be early!  Thanks for asking,

Keith

Gotta go with the Flooger.