Which reel is a better purchase - Tierra or Soron? I'm concerned about durability, NOT silky smooth, 100,000,000 bearings, appearance, or weight.

Which

Durability-I say buy a Shimano Symetre.

Between the other two buy the Daiwa they have great customer service, and Abu is not known for spinning reels.

I actually just sold all my non-tierra spinning reels and replaced them with tierra's.  You can find some good deals on Tierras for $75 or less for "Like new". 

To me, the Tierra IS silk smooth, and for me it has been very durable as I bring one of mine on backcountry hiking trips and trout trips.  I've soaked mine in water by accident and finally after 3 years of abuse without servicing it, it's finally starting to show some wear. 

BTW - all my other reels are shimano, but the Tierra i've made an exception for!   ;D

I was actually looking at   a Coastal Inshore Special, but it is pretty much a Tierra, and I guessed everyone is more familiar with the Tierra.

Tierra, love mine enough, I bought 2 more.

Sorry to run in on the Tierra parade, but if you want durability go with the Soron STX. Awesome reel.

Someone said Abu is not known for spinning reels?? I think the Cardinal has been a mainstay in the Abu lineup for several decades now and have heard a lot about it.

And if that's not enough to get them known then I'm sure this Soron STX is gonna be the next prodigy for sure. Is there any plastic on the thing at all?? About every part on it that they can make metal is made from aluminum or steel. How much more durable can you get than that?? For the $5 difference in a Tierra vs. a Soron STX I'd say it's gotta be a Soron STX.

Not knocking the Tierra at all cause it looks like wonderful reel but this Soron STX seems overbuilt in every way possible. Not the SX version in red, but the blue one.  The red one has a graphite rotor.  The blue one is nearly 100% aluminum. 

Can't comment on the Daiwa as I don't own one, but I do own many cardinals.  My soron/cardinal 800 series are wonderful reels, I use them in saltwater, durable excellent drag.

If you are tired of using an expensive spinning reel for a few seasons or less only to see the bail arms get worn, loose and sticky, then buy a Soron. Aluminum bail arms with bearings in the pivot points. These look to be built like a tank. If you often say that you wish you had a spinning reel that could horse a fish out of cover like a casting reel can, then again , buy a Soron, They have multiple carbon fiber and stainless plates. They have more drag strength than many casting reels. If you are saitisfied with mediocre performance in a spinning reel, then dump several hundreds of wasted dollars on a Shimano or Daiwa. Just my opinion based on use and studying the schematics to see ow they are built.

I don't personally own either reel but my brother purchased a Soron last year and was impressed enough to purchase another one this year.

Dude, shimanos and Daiwas are not crap. Im just looking at other options. I know I can pretty much always go to either of those companies and get a quality product.

If you are tired of using an expensive spinning reel for a few seasons or less only to see the bail arms get worn, loose and sticky, then buy a Soron. Aluminum bail arms with bearings in the pivot points. These look to be built like a tank. If you often say that you wish you had a spinning reel that could horse a fish out of cover like a casting reel can, then again , buy a Soron, They have multiple carbon fiber and stainless plates. They have more drag strength than many casting reels. If you are saitisfied with mediocre performance in a spinning reel, then dump several hundreds of wasted dollars on a Shimano or Daiwa. Just my opinion based on use and studying the schematics to see ow they are built.

Soron all day! My gandr mt. had these for $89 this week! I bought my 2nd : and they are so stout, its smoooooth to.

What about the Daiwa BG?

Love my Tierra.

How long have you all had your Tierras? Used hard?

How long have you all had your Tierras? Used hard?

I've had one of my Tierra's for 3 years.  I wouldn't say that this reel has it easy.  I use it backpacking so the outside gets plenty abused but still looks good.  I use it in a float tube so it has been dunked in water numerous times.

I've fished it in a pond that is full of hydrilla and every other cast feels like i'm reeling in a dead 10#er. At the end of last year it finally started making some wierd noises....  but in the 3 years of abuse... I have never serviced it and it has never failed me.  It is the Tierra 2000

Anybody have any REALLY hard use on em... like salt water or rocks?

Anybody have any REALLY hard use on em... like salt water or rocks?

I have separate gear for surfcasting.

What do you use?

Penn 704z

I use the Tierra 3000 for Steelhead as well as Bass. The Tierras drag has never failed me even when fighting 28"+ Steelhead after the reel has been submerged. I like the 3000 because it has the same size frame as the 2500 but has a larger spool. The larger spool helps prevent line twist.

Yeah, I was looking at the 3000. Forget Penns. No offence  , but when you use them hard, they break. And their drags are not cool. Again, no offence - what you like fish - but I don't want a Penn.

I bought my Soron this year, and my only regret is I didn't buy it last year!

Forget Penns. No offence  Wink, but when you use them hard, they break.

You do realize you dissed one of the toughest reels on the planet?