I just started using a new custom spinning rod, made with a batson rx7 blank, and now I can feel vibrations coming from the reel.  I know this is a good thing, but it is driving me crazy.  The odd thing is that when I spin the reel on it's own off the rod it feels good.  On the rod, not bad, just a little vibration.  However when I am actually fishing with it I feel all sorts of stuff coming from the reel.  It is a shimano sienna(?) 2000FA, ten years ago it was a $60 reel.  It has never been professionally serviced, just my own external cleaning and a few drops of oil here and there.  I suppose it is time to take it in.

Anyone else ever experience anything like this when upgrading rods?

Your new custom needs a new reel. Take the rod with you

to a local store and see how it feels saddled with a CI4. I

think you will be impressed!

8-)

I agree. If you just got a nice custom rod, and you are using a relatively inexpensive 10 year old reel on it, you might want to invest in a better, smoother reel. The CI4 in the 2500 series would be a great choice, maybe a new Pfluger Patriarch or Supreme in the 30 series.

That Caddy is rolling on steel wheels with hubcaps. Definitely time to upgrade.

U-P-G-R-A-D-E !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When i first started bass fishing i was using a smaller trout setup with a cheap reel.  The rod acts like a guitar and any noises from the reel can go thru the rod and the noise can intensify into the line to your baits.  How do i know this??  I was fishing a spring fed place with very clear water.  I noticed a few bluegills gathering were my line enters the water.  They were hearing my mistake reel noises up my rod down my line into the water. I was using the cheapest reels i could buy for trout.  The bass actually tore them up.  I have upgraded to better reels but not the top shelf stuff.  And nothing has wornout or failed me yet.

I have noticed with the 10 ball bearing spinning reels there harder to crank when there new.  I use these on my worm rods first to break them in. I use the reels with lesser ball bearings so there easier to crank on my crankbaits and topwater baits.  I cast non stop even from shore and i do get tired when the reels are new and harder to crank.   Just some food for thought.  Bill

I get the idea.  It was a nice reel at the time, actually it is the Sedona not Sienna.  While I am sure the CI4 is a great reel, it is a bit out of my price range. 

I just bought a citica that I love.  Is there anything in that $100 range that would be good?

if it has to be a shimano product, i have heard good things about the symetre and sahara and both are right around 100 or less.

tho i am a firm believer in pflueger, have 2 supreme xt's (older gold model, if you can find them on clearance, they are a steal...i got both of mine for less that 75 each) an arbor and 2 presidents. and have also heard great things about the normal supreme.

many others in the $100 range and under as well. spinning reels give some pretty great options for that kind of money.

Yea', I'm in the same boat ! I just "found" an old, but brand new rod that I think will be perfect for my Striper fishing. So, I took the reel off of my other, broken down old Striper rod, and put it on this brand new one.... and it's not that this new rod is so much more sensitive than the old one, it's just that its a brand new rod, and the first thing I noticed after putting on the old reel, was that it was getting a little bit grindy. Well that sucks. Can't have an old worn out reel, on a brand new rod.

So, I've already picked out a new reel for it...... Just figuring I should probably pay rent, fill my gas tanks, and buy some groceries first

Peace,

Fish

I use cheap rods, middle of the stream reels like Okuma, Viva and Fin-nor but i put my money into better line now. I'm getting old at doing this and still learning. I check BPS, Cabela's and fishingtackleoutlet for all my needs. Between these three someone has it and its priced right. With everything costing more and more nowadays its tougher to stay fishing. Shop smart, Frugal Bill

BTW; When i find a rod, a reel or a line that i like i stock up on it so i'm way ahead of needing it again if its priced affordable. For a great price on the yo-zuri hybrid line right now go to www.fishingtackleoutlet.net its 600yds for $4.99.

I get the idea. It was a nice reel at the time, actually it is the Sedona not Sienna. While I am sure the CI4 is a great reel, it is a bit out of my price range.

I just bought a citica that I love. Is there anything in that $100 range that would be good?

Symetre

8-)

the phenomenon you're describing is exactly why big retailers like bass pro shops mount their demo reels on those heavy metal handles...they absorb all the vibrations and smooth out any wobble so that even cheap reels feel glass smooth.

anyway, a couple of years back, i bought a shimano sahara FD as kind of a budget extra reel. for spinning reels, i mostly have nicer daiwas but this $80 sahara blew me away with how smooth it was...even smoother than my fuegos. if it's smoothness you want at a $100-or-below price point, i'd recommend the sahara FD or the symetre FJ. by the way, i had a stradic ci4 and never found that to be a particularly smooth reel.

I have been looking at the following reels: Shimano SaharaFD, Shimano SymetreFJ, Plueger President, Pflueger Supreme, or Daiwa ExcelerHA.

Thoughts?

I've owned at least 6 Saharas, 3 Symetres, a President XT, and 3 Supremes (along with a few more) and the only ones that remain are the Supremes. Overall, I find the Supreme to be smoother, lighter, and better looking than the Symetre or Sahara.

I have been looking at the following reels: Shimano SaharaFD, Shimano SymetreFJ, Plueger President, Pflueger Supreme, or Daiwa ExcelerHA.

Thoughts?

Daiwa exceler.When it comes to spinning reels Daiwa is usually My first choice over shimano as well.

For a hundred bucks or less for freshwater the Supreme gets my vote.  I like the weight, smoothness and one of the better handles for a small reel.