I just broke my spinning reel and need to replace it. It is the orginal reel from the combo that came with the rod. The rod is a Diama graphite composit Black Widow. Its a 7 foot Medium rod any suggestions as to what you might get for it? i need something that can cast far (since i am fishing from the shore) and is not gonna break the bank. I would say less then 150-200 if possible. Thanks for any advice you may have in advance.

I've always had good luck with Shimano reels, even the cheapies. I never saw the need to spend a ton on a spinning reel.

To this day however my favorite spinning reel is the Garcia/Mitchell 300. You can pick them up on Ebay for a few bucks and you'd be hard pressed to find a better made reel anywhere today. Heck, some of these things are 40+ years old and still work perfectly.

As far as casting, distance comes mostly from your line/rod/lure combo rather than from the spinning reel. As long as your reel is suited for the rod and line it has very little affect on your casting distance.

For freshwater in the $150 price range............Stradic !  Top performer and cheap enough to buy a new one every couple of years for the latest technology.

Pflueger's are reasonably priced and well worth $60-100, but still not a stradic.

I'm phasing out my Abu cardinals.

I own all of the above.

This is the one I would get:

http://www.shimano.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/index/products/reels/spinning/Stradic_MgFB.html

8-)

I would suggest either the New Quantum Kinetic PTI-B or the Shimano Sahara. I own both and since they shaved some off the weight of the Kinetic and tightened it up its a great performing reel and won't break the back and can be had on Ebay for less than the MSRP. I also own the Shimano Sahara 1000FD and even with it being a graphite frame its a great reel and haven't experienced any of the flex I've heard associated with graphite frame reels. Other suggestions would be the Shimano Saros which is still at Cabelas for $130 or the Quantum Catalyst for $139. I just picked up the Catalyst off ebay for $60 and will put it through it's paces til the end of the season on my crankbait rod.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of those choices and all less then $150

excellent advice guys thanks for the help... if you think of anything else let me know.. I will try and look at some of these in the stores if at all possible first then see if their is a site with a better price.

def. go with a Shimano

check out their selection, and pick a model based on your needs.

I would but the stradic CI4 based solely on sex appeal.

Check out the Pflueger Supreme. Super light magnesium, butter smooth drag, and probably one of the best bails out there.

Do you think that the baitcaster would be ok on that rod though?

I assume you're joking, yes?

While you certainly could, it won't be ideal. I see people do it and upon seeing them I feel like walking up to them to slap 'em silly.  

LOL yes i was joking becasue when i copy and pasted one of the reels that was suggested a baitcaster came up so i was being a little sarcastic at the same time... sorry about that

I would but the stradic CI4 based solely on sex appeal.

lol. I have noticed that more chicks have been checking me out lately with my new CI4. Nuts, and I thought it was my new haircut. ;D

FYI, go with a Stradic FI or Saros in that price range. Great reels. The CI4 is awesome but I think the Stradic FI is also solid.

This is the one I would get:

http://www.shimano.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/index/products/reels/spinning/Stradic_MgFB.html

8-)

I wish you hadn't posted that link, it'll probably cost me money ;D

Roger

A woman is sexy, a reel is only a tool.  New stradic is pretty but is it really better and worth more money than the fi?

I'm waiting for the c-14 to be last years model and available in the 4000 size, if that ever happens.  I want to see the reviews after this new lady has some wear and tear over the next 6-8 months.  Almost all new reels are great out of the box.

awesome might just wait till the weather gets a little colder and prices come down a little.