I have a $150 cabelas gift card and I want to get a new spinning reel. I know the Smoke is $159 but also have a coupon for $20 off if you spend $150. Anyway I've read good things about the Quantam Smoke and I just wanted to ask anyone who has used one, if you had $150 to spend, would you buy the Smoke or find something cheaper like the Shimano Symetre and take the extra $50 and buy some other stuff or kick in more money for something even more expensive.

I'd save another $50 up and get a CI4. Seriously, I have three now.

Pflueger Supreme XT.

I'd save another $50 up and get a CI4. Seriously, I have three now.

I was afraid you say that.

I'm a very bad man, LOL.

Pflueger Supreme XT.

I'm selling a Supreme XT to buy a new rod to go with the reel. I didn't like the Pflueger.

I'd go with a shimano symetre or saros.

Saros is a nice reel. I would also save a little more for the CI4

Go with a Shimano. IMO they really are the best built brand.

^^^^

This.

A-Jay

Be a Stradic addict.

I agree with the Stradic recommendation. You can pick up the FI Version for $150 or less. I am not sure if the new FJ is any better than the FI but I have an FI that I really like.

I handled a Smoke at GM awhile back. It's a nice looking smooth Reel but I am not sure I like the Porting cutouts on the Frame

I'd save another $50 up and get a CI4. Seriously, I have three now.

Oh ya, now your talk'in, CI4 for sure.

It seems the consensus is to go with Shimano and up the ante to get the CI4. I'm a weekend warrior and mostly throw casting gear so I don't want to go that deep on a spinning reel. After reading the review, posted by The Rooster last summer, I decided to go with the Symetre and I spent the extra $50+ on tackle. I'm going to pair it with the new Fenwick Elite Smallmouth 6'9" M/XF rod recommended in a few other posts. I should have them by next weekend so I hope they both perform as well for me as they have for others.

Thank you all for your input.

Pflueger Supreme XT.

X 2 It's a great reel!

i tried them all and keep going back to the supreme xt

I got the XT in place of the Smoke because the Portage BPS was out when I went to pick up reels and it was my second choice. Just had it spooled with line to give it a try but the Smoke 25 is still on my list.

Another vote for Stradic, either the "regular" or CI4 model for the extra coin.

Yep I'd go CI4 too

Not everyone is happy with the CI4

Comments: I bought this reel about 1month ago and its the BEST spinning reel I've bought! I used to have the Shimano Ci4 but was not happy with it not smooth at all...Shimano should price this reel for under 50 bucks....this reel is all looks and so decided to buy the XT...Very happy i got this reel...light and super smooth...paired it with a G Loomis rod and its just the reel ever so shimano u all need to step it up cuz i just returned a shimano cumara rod also and got me a Dobyns rod!

Comments: I just ordered one of these awesome reels cuz my shimano ci4 was not as smooth as I thought so I'm switching to this awesome piece of machinery! I used the supreme for 5 minutes and I decided I was making the switch with no doubt! I will never buy a shimano spinning reel again...they are overrated!

From: John: Rockwall, TX

Comments: Bought this reel looking for somthing more comfortable than my Stradic Ci4. And I found it. Being remade from last years model, it is even lighter, and smoother. I love the braid ready spool, makes it easier to use braided line without having to put a mono backing on to prevent slippage. I have mine spooled with Suffix 832 30lb test. Buy this, you will never fish with any other spinning reel again, not even a shimano.

From: Mike: Waukesha, WI

I wonder what their definition of "smooth" is? I haven't opened mine, other than to see how they were built, for ANY maintenance since I got them when they were first introduced. I have four Daiwa spinners, and a "wood handle" Stradic, and the CI4 are the smoothest in the bunch. I've worked on several Sustains, Stellas, Certates, and assorted JDM novelty top flight reels. One difference is that the rotor weighs a TON LESS than most reels, and doesn't take any inertia to get it started. It also doesn't spin forever for that very reason. Perhaps that is an issue to to those use to using reels that use heavy counterweights to balance the rotors.

I do not feel my 2 stradic fi 4000's are over rated, very good reels, however in that price range I have reels that perform on a par with the stradics. I haven't used the c-14, but handled it at bass pro, the traditional stradic is more appealing to me.