Thread: Recommend a reel for my St Croix Panfish Elite

Hmmmm . $50ish ?
You didn’t say which SC Panfish Elite you own , length does matter .
The only reel I could possibly recommend under $50 , would be a Shimano Sienna or maybe a Daiwa Laguna Lt .
The Sienna in a 500 weighs 6.2oz , the Daiwa being a 1000 size reel is almost 8oz .
I just couldn’t put an 8 oz reel on any of the Panfish Elites .
A Daiwa QG 750 is 6.2oz , if you can find one locally.

Originally Posted by gillchaser999

Hmmmm . $50ish ?
You didn’t say which SC Panfish Elite you own , length does matter .
The only reel I could possibly recommend under $50 , would be a Shimano Sienna or maybe a Daiwa Laguna Lt .
The Sienna in a 500 weighs 6.2oz , the Daiwa being a 1000 size reel is almost 8oz .
I just couldn’t put an 8 oz reel on any of the Panfish Elites .
A Daiwa QG 750 is 6.2oz , if you can find one locally.

It is a 5'4. I don't see the Diawa locally, I do see the Sienna at Academy. If I'm missing out by not spending ~$75, I can open my wallet.

I assume I'm looking for something in the 1000 size?

Originally Posted by Greenlawnracing

It is a 5'4. I don't see the Diawa locally, I do see the Sienna at Academy. If I'm missing out by not spending ~$75, I can open my wallet.

I assume I'm looking for something in the 1000 size?

Just this past week , I “tuned” a Shimano Sienna 500 and fished it a couple times on a 6’ TFO Trout and Panfish rod .
It performed great .
All I did was remove the handle knob cap , greased the shaft with some clear silicone grease and tightened the knob screw to where it took out the play but still turned smoothly . Then I removed the handle and spool , and put four drops of Lucas reel oil on the handle shaft bearings, replaced the handle and tightened. Then turn the handle a few times to distribute the oil .
Then turn, with the spool main shaft alll the way up , I put 2-3 drops on the main shaft and turned the handle a few turns to allow the oil to seep into the top bearing. I usually do this twice .
Just before putting the spool back on , put a drop of Lucas on that spool washer that the spool rests on . Helps the spool to spin when you’re trying to protect 2# line .
Amazing little reels for the money , IMO .
Wish I could have put at least one extra bearing in that handle knob , but the shaft is tapered.
Look at it this way , if you don’t like it , you’re only out $30 plus tax .

Originally Posted by gillchaser999

Just this past week , I “tuned” a Shimano Sienna 500 and fished it a couple times on a 6’ TFO Trout and Panfish rod .
It performed great .
All I did was remove the handle knob cap , greased the shaft with some clear silicone grease and tightened the knob screw to where it took out the play but still turned smoothly . Then I removed the handle and spool , and put four drops of Lucas reel oil on the handle shaft bearings, replaced the handle and tightened. Then turn the handle a few times to distribute the oil .
Then turn, with the spool main shaft alll the way up , I put 2-3 drops on the main shaft and turned the handle a few turns to allow the oil to seep into the top bearing. I usually do this twice .
Just before putting the spool back on , put a drop of Lucas on that spool washer that the spool rests on . Helps the spool to spin when you’re trying to protect 2# line .
Amazing little reels for the money , IMO .
Wish I could have put at least one extra bearing in that handle knob , but the shaft is tapered.
Look at it this way , if you don’t like it , you’re only out $30 plus tax .

well, bad news. I bought the Shimano from my local Academy, I just got a notification that they couldn’t fulfill the in-store pick up.

Edit: found it at Wal Mart, assuming my order gets fulfiled!

Originally Posted by Greenlawnracing

I've been using a Pflueger trion with my Panfish Elite but it is on its last leg.

Wife and kids went out of town this weekend, so I want to spend two days at my neighborhood pond. I'll be using a Panfish magnet hitting gills, some bass, and crappie. No more, no less.

Can you recommend a $50ish reel that I can grab tonight at Wal Mart, Bass Pro, Dicks, etc? For reference, I'm pretty happy with the Pflueger, wouldn't mind stepping up just a little in quality.

TIA!

You could do what I did at my local Cabela's .... take the rod in and ask the guys behind the counter to suggest a reel that would balance that rod. Have them try the brand(s) you prefer, first ... before they start grabbing up store brand reels.

And they will hustle the store brands on you. I have a couple of Legalis and can’t say enough good about them for the money. I have a few of the Sahara’s and they do fine also. Lube maintenance is kinda needed for most reels and these don’t Do well when ignored. I usually buy the most bearings I can afford.

[QUOTE=skeetbum;4504434]And they will hustle the store brands on you. I have a couple of Legalis and can’t say enough good about them for the money. I have a few of the Sahara’s and they do fine also. Lube maintenance is kinda needed for most reels and these don’t Do well when ignored. I usually buy the most bearings I can afford.
Thanks everybody. Really enjoyed it today!

Nice tuxed up black.