I'm looking to replace a couple spinning reels, hopefully under $40. Gander Mountain has the Mitchell 300XE on sale for $39, and their "Guide" series reels for $29. Are these 2 reels decent? If so, is the Mitchell worth the extra $10? Thanks for any advice.

Between the two, I'd choose the Mitchell. The 300 variants have been around for eons, and no doubt have spooled in more freshwater fish than any other reel in existence.

Pflueger Trion GX7. Hands down....no better spinning reel out there for under $40. The 35 size is like any others 25 size. I personally prefer the 30 sized one and have landed many fish from 1-5 lbs. on them.

Pflueger Trion GX7. Hands down....no better spinning reel out there for under $40. The 35 size is like any others 25 size. I personally prefer the 30 sized one and have landed many fish from 1-5 lbs. on them.

X2 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just picked up the Daiwa Exceler for $39.99 at Gander Mtn. That's an $80 reel. It's last year's model, which I have heard is better anyway. Plus it comes with an extra spool, which the new ones don't.

x2 on the exceler on sale, ive only had mine for about 2 weeks (used it twice so far) but it is a nice reel for 40. the trion is also a pretty nice reel, and you might be able to find a pflueger president on sale if you look around a bit, i have seen them around locally a couple times for 40

x2 on the exceler on sale, ive only had mine for about 2 weeks (used it twice so far) but it is a nice reel for 40. the trion is also a pretty nice reel, and you might be able to find a pflueger president on sale if you look around a bit, i have seen them around locally a couple times for 40

I have used mitchells since i was a grommet. I had quite a few fail. I never minded spending good money on baitcasters but I never thought I would go high on spinning reels until i was fishing for puppy drum one day with a brand new mitchel... 300ex and I reared back and the gears s jumped and I lost him. I never bought low price reels again. Right now I use TEAM DAIWA TIERRA 2500 $129 but you wont worry about cheap gears and drag. I know that its hard to let that much $ go but its better than thinking about the one that got away

I just picked up the Trion GX7 at Gander Mtn. and it seems pretty nice. They have the Daiwa Exceler on sale for $39, but they're all out of them, and won't be getting any more. Thanks guys.