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OK I'm looking for the "best" little spinning reel for 2 lb test line that has all the quality features, plus an excellent drag system that is super-smooth and does not grab or bind like so many of the tiny ultralight reels seem to do when you hook a large fish. Seems like when manufacturers build these small reels, they skimp on drag design. Also would like to keep the weight at or under 6 ounces. Any ideas? Any price range.
try a browning superlight it weighs 5.9 oz.. ive got 1 and its a good little reel. price is 29.99. it also has 5 ball bearings
Any of the Shimano mid grade's and above anywhere from $60 and up.
Fatman
Go with the Pflueger President or Trion reels. Range from $29 for the Trion and $49 for the President ultralights.
For the money, the Daiwa SS 700 is very hard to beat: AWESOME drag system, PERFECT line lay, all for about $95. It's slightly heavier than you're looking for (7 oz), but I'd put it up against any smaller reel. For a better UL reel, I think you'd have to pay $600 for a Shimano Stella.
i like the small abu garcia they sell at bass pro for 39.99. i always had good luck with'em.
( bet ya regret askin this question don't ya,,,,lol:eek::D)
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( bet ya regret askin this question don't ya,,,,lol:eek::D)[/QUOTE]
You hit the nail on the head. We all have our preferences. I am a Pflueger fan and others have their favorites.
Perris Blue: Just check out the reels mentioned here. You will have to decide what is best for your situation. There is no right or wrong. Just decide which reel suits your style and go with that. There are a lot of good reels out there. Just because I choose one doesn't mean there isn't another one that is a better choice. I choose Pflueger because it works for me and the price is right.
I just picked up a combo at wally world a month or so ago, Shakespeare Reel on an Ugly Stick rod, it was worth the money for the ugly stick to me if the reel stripped tomorrow. But personally, I am an Abu Garcia or Shimano type of guy ;) (Only probably because I haven't fished w/ some of the other brands mentioned)
Try the silstar reels like the tfg 10. It has a smooth drag and was light enough to fish on my quantum trout wand
I would also recommend the shimano reels... and also say don't go for the tiny spooled reels of any kind...the small spools only wrap the line in a tighter circle and cause memory / short cast issues. Go for larger spools. I like the 1000 series front drag in shimano....you pick the price range.
pflueger trion here
shimano symetre, sahara or pflueger
HHD Nailed it
"don't go for the tiny spooled reels of any kind...the small spools only wrap the line in a tighter circle and cause memory / short cast issues. Go for larger spools. "
You dont see this often in print but it is the way to go ... you will get more distance and a "Smoother" cast.
The old Mitchel 300 Shallow spool was an ideal for this application in my opinion .. tried several but I try to match the 300 spool when I look for a new reel for Ultra Lite .. 2 to 8# line use and ultra lite lures 1/32 -- 1/64 jigs.
JSC
:)
but I do have my pride and joy...the Penn Spinfisher SSG is the one that I use when I'm finese fishing panfish.
In order of price range.
Shimano Stradic FI
Penn SpinFisher SSg
Pflueger President 6720
Quote:
Originally Posted by hunt4crappie
The pflueger trion is the best panfish reel I have ever owned! The drag is sooo smooth I think you will like this reel try it!Quote:
Originally Posted by Fishtaco
The Pflueger President ultra-light reels like fantastic! I used to have a Shakespeare Microspin reel that did pretty well. I thought the drag was fine. I mean, you really don't need a drag with bluegills. Or at least I don't ...
You do with these..Quote:
Originally Posted by UltralightLover
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...IMG_0011-2.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...MG_0005-17.jpg
:eek: :eek: :D
I'm not used to seeing 1-2 lb. 'gills! I second my idea on not needing a drag on bluegill ... :DQuote:
Originally Posted by chaunc
those are red ears guys. The line twist on he smaller reels means that you will have to change your line EVERY TIME after fishin. GO THE NEXT SIZE UP, AND YOU WILL THANK ME LATER.
STELLA 1000 FA,SUSTAIN 1000FD and STRADIC 1000. The increased line capacity of these reels compared to the tiny ultralights make a big difference,less line twist.I have all these reels and love them all. If you are serious about ultralights find the best you can afford and spend another $20-$50. You'll be glad you did and the guilt will wear off in a little while..
I'll stick my nose in , or my neck out, and give a little input. I've fished U/L for a looong time and worn out a few tiny reels. The diawa mini mite that I first had was about the best there was. But of the newer reels there are lots of choices. I have my manufacturer preference, but that has been shown up by good offering by others. Don't get in a hurry, handle all you can get your hands on, and don't be too price conscious. Buy one with as many ball bearings as you can afford. If you buy a good reel you'll have it for a very long time, and probably get more like it. The one thing I haven't seen addressed here is care after the buy. Small reels have small drag discs(front drags are better) and it doesn't take much mis care to ruin them. Don't crank em down too tight in the first place and loosen them before you put them away. I have cheap reels that have a good drag system in them that are over 6 yrs old and still smooth. I bought a 6 BB spinning U/L reel for a friend and the second time out with me I went to adjust the drag and it went from dead tight to super loose in about 1/2 turn. Drag discs have been crushed from being left under pressure. The bigger spool thing has merit, and the taller spool reels I have don't cast as well as the shorter ones. As you shop, you'll see what I mean. Happy shopping, you've got a lot of it to do.
Mitchell Advocate.Great reel.
But,My old vintage Mitchell 308 is the best.Still working after 30 years and still looks like new and works like it too.6 lb. test.
The Mitchell 408 was a great little ultra light. Shimanos for me now!
I've been using the Shimano Symetre 750 for 3 seasons now and I love it. Very smooth drag with almost no mechanical feeling to it when you're reeling in. Handles only 2# test XL and has done a fine job. I have it matched with a B n' M "Sams Super Sensitive" in 7' length. Have taken a ton or more of crappie, brook trout, large perch and sunfish with this rig. Works for me. :)
Warning! I have a Daiwa 500 UL (Gold series) that I paid $50.+ for several years ago. I would NOT recommend this reel - period! Very poor (sticky) drag system and the lack of "instant anti-reverse locking" causes problems. This last feature is paramount in selecting a quality UL reel, in my opinion. One other thing with this reel - and a lot of UL reels - is that the line spool is too short. Stacks line when re-filling. Not evenly laying line over the short spool length. Again....I dislike this reel immensely. :rolleyes:
try a pinnacle deadbolt dul20 ultralight. they are great little reels. very smooth and great drags. i have caught several big spotted bass 3 to4 lbers and big drum and catfish when fishing for shad. i have had 4 of these reels for a few years now. i am not saying that they are better than all other reels. just that i have had just as good of service out of them as any other. they cost $19.99 at academy sports and outdoors. i dont think you will be disappointed in them.
Have been fishing ultralights and microlights since they invented them. I am using an Okuma Avion 10 right now. A smoother reel and drag doesn't exist under a 150.00.
I paid 60.00 each for all six of mine. Worth every penny. For ice fishing stick your reel in the freezer for a couple hours. Take it out and see how it works then. My Okumas work just like they did when I put them in.
Matter of fact a bunch of guys on an ice fishing site turned me on to them.
old mitchell 300 shallow spool and the mitchell 308 are real hard to beat. I fish from two to 12 lb test with absolutely no trouble. Those reels are over 35 years old. You can still find they on ebay.
I bought a quantum optix 10 a few years back and it has been an excellent reel.It is a 4BB spinning reel and was under $30.00.The drag is very smooth and the reel has never give me the first problem.I have it mounted on a shimano ultralight rod.I also have a garcia mitchel 300 reel mounted on the original mitchel rod.I bought it new in '78 at kmart.I still use it sometimes and dont remember it ever giving me any problems either.The rod is rated for 2#-8# line and it will bend like an uglystik.
My recomendation would be to not use 2# test. I was on that kick a few years ago and i ended up breaking off to much, I almost never broke off with 4# test. I only go to 2# when im using flys and really small jigs 1/256oz and smaller or fishing gills with tiny fly hooks 20-24 and a float. I caught bass and big cats all the time with the 4# and 12' rod. The line was never as consistant as 4# for me.