Thread: Looking for a reel

Don't know how much it matters, but the Daiwa is 4 oz. lighter! Just wish I could afford either one! Never had a bad Shimano though.

I have been going down this ultralight road for awhile, it can be maddening there are so many choices. I bought a Shimano Vanford 1000 size, which is a step above a Stradic. (I have the Stradic in a bass rig, a larger size Stradic.) Once I pulled the trigger on the small Vanford, I wondered if I made a 'mistake' and maybe I did. I found out about an Abu Garcia Revo MGX Theta 1000S, which can be had for about the same when all is said and done but I couldn't find it except for buying from Japan. Which I did. I might return the Vanford. We might be splitting hairs here but the Theta is a better reel going by the specs. I think they are both 5.2:1 retrieve but the Theta has more bearings in the right places plus some other benefits. If you want more info on the Theta purchase, advise. It's rather hard to find tackle in stock these days.

Mind you, I have been searching for a rod n reel to cast very light jigs a decent distance -- 1/64 oz jigs. If you fish heavier lures, it's not as critical. Heck, I have a Pfleuger President 6920 that I really like and it's only $50, as opposed to these higher end reels closing in on $300. Some reels are even much higher than that.

Originally Posted by livemusic

I have been going down this ultralight road for awhile, it can be maddening there are so many choices. I bought a Shimano Vanford 1000 size, which is a step above a Stradic. (I have the Stradic in a bass rig, a larger size Stradic.) Once I pulled the trigger on the small Vanford, I wondered if I made a 'mistake' and maybe I did. I found out about an Abu Garcia Revo MGX Theta 1000S, which can be had for about the same when all is said and done but I couldn't find it except for buying from Japan. Which I did. I might return the Vanford. We might be splitting hairs here but the Theta is a better reel going by the specs. I think they are both 5.2:1 retrieve but the Theta has more bearings in the right places plus some other benefits. If you want more info on the Theta purchase, advise. It's rather hard to find tackle in stock these days.

Mind you, I have been searching for a rod n reel to cast very light jigs a decent distance -- 1/64 oz jigs. If you fish heavier lures, it's not as critical. Heck, I have a Pfleuger President 6920 that I really like and it's only $50, as opposed to these higher end reels closing in on $300. Some reels are even much higher than that.

I would be doing some dock shooting and casting using light lures. I hear some use a 3000 size for dock shooting which allows the line to come off easier, not sure as I never have tried it but hearing this I am thinking a 3000 series regardless of brand...Thoughts? Were is the best place to look for the Abu and do you suggest something a step above the Vanford if I stick with Shimano?

Originally Posted by Merkel

I would be doing some dock shooting and casting using light lures. I hear some use a 3000 size for dock shooting which allows the line to come off easier, not sure as I never have tried it but hearing this I am thinking a 3000 series regardless of brand...Thoughts? Were is the best place to look for the Abu and do you suggest something a step above the Vanford if I stick with Shimano?

Supposedly, a small spool is a plus but most USA reels do not have this. As for a 3000 series, that seems way out of bounds to me but I do not know as much about this as others that have spent more time in the higher end ultralight arena. Most people tend to stick with 1000 or 2000 series reels. For instance, I have heard of people favoring a 2000 size over a 1000 size because the line could, supposedly, come off the reel better. As for dock shooting and 3000 series, that is something I am not familiar with.

Regarding the Theta reel I mentioned, this is the site that was recommended to me and I did purchase from them. Plat and also Digitaka are good sites but the following, to me, is easier to place an order with. They also had the best price. Mind you, anytime you deal with a Japanese site, there might be additional shipping charges, so, be aware of that. Sometimes they show you the full price, though. Site: ABU GARCIA Revo MGX Theta 1000S Reels buy at Fishingshop.kiwi

As for staying with Shimano, I suggest you make a post in the Ultralight sub-forum of this site and describe everything in detail about what you do and want and maybe you will get more info. One problem I see with all of this stuff is that it is always changing, new stuff comes out and it's improved. Another issue is it's more difficult to buy from Japan just due to language communication issues and also the way their websites are set up (less streamlined). Also, most anything you wish to buy these days is out of stock, lol. I have done countless hours of research on all this stuff and then making a decision and then hitting multiple snags along the way of buying from overseas... Japan, Australia... but I finally got it done. It's not that there is dishonesty, it's just kind of convoluted the way they do things and less efficient web interface. Back to Shimano, several reels have been discussed above the Vanford, so, dig in or ask on that sub-forum.

Again, one issue is that I prefer 2021 info over old info! Things change.

Originally Posted by Merkel

I would be doing some dock shooting and casting using light lures. I hear some use a 3000 size for dock shooting which allows the line to come off easier ...

Casting Distance Contest: 3000 vs. 1000 Spinning Reel

Regardless of brand or size ... if the reel doesn't balance with the rod, it's going to be cumbersome to fish with. Now, it is much better to have a reel that balances heavy towards the butt of the rod, than one so lite the the rod balances towards the rod tip. Tip heavy means more strain on the wrist & forearm ... butt heavy means the outfit is just going to feel heavy in hand. If it balances correctly, it will feel much lighter in hand & becomes an extension of your arm ... meaning you can cast with it for longer periods of time without wearing out your arm.

"Balance" means you stick out your finger & place the rod/reel across that finger at the front end of the rod handle. If it falls towards the tip or butt "fast", then the reel is too light or too heavy. If it teeters one way or the other or falls slowly towards on end or the other, then it's pretty close to balanced.