My buddy is buying a $200.00 reel for his brother...

[VICIII]

He asked me for info on the best for 20lb. test.
He does not know what he fishes for because he guides in Alaska and FL...
What would you guys say that is a the best spinning around $200.00

[Mark G]

that is a tough question.

I assume this is a gift and he wants to "suprise" him.

Other wise If he is a guide, he has a lot better idea of what he wants/needs for his specific fishing. I wouldn't want to be ungrateful about it but I wouldn't want someone spending that kind of money on something I could'nt use.

In other words my best advise would be to ask him what he needs, in order to be sure the reel fits his fishing type.

Other wise we would need specific info- fishing from boat, surf, pier, targeted species, etc.

[bluerunner]

Quantum Cabo or Daiwa Team Daiwa Tierra

I'd go with the Cabo

[Mark G]

my favorite smaller size spinning reel is the shimano sustain ( about $229) it is available in a number of sizes but not really sure if it's big enough for 20 lb line. I have two that have 8 and 14lb line on them. Absolutely great reels.

If he wants a bigger reel I like the Daiwa pro emblem for surf fishing ( around $ 150), will hold plenty of 20 lb line for most fishing.

You said "guide" which makes me think boat, but that is still not enough info really.

[VICIII]

This would be a personal reel for him..
Right now he is stationed on a 12,000 horsepower tug boat and I think wants a reel that he can keep on board and not worry about.
He has his capt lic and right now a Tug is paying the bills.
I think he wants it for pacific salmon and such off the tug for fun. I believe is guide stuff is being used so he wants to have a nice travel spinner..
That is all I know though...
I was thinking of th 706z because I have one is it seems bullet proof but I hate the click when winding..

[bluerunner]

go with the Cabo....a little heavier than some but its also beefier than most other reels. Ceramic drag, Saltgard coating, magnetic bail that will never wear out. As close to bulletproof as a reel gets for that price.

[derekxec]

$120 shimano baitrunner 6500 takes a beating and will last and its $80 cheaper than he wants to spend but every bit as good as most $200 reels

[ccc6588]

Depends on application.

You need to consider drag, gear ratio, weight, line capacity and casting distance.

Will he leave the rod on a rod holder or against the railing on a pier where a baitrunner feature will give ease of mind if a big fish takes a bait and runs if he has his head turned.

For casting distance without the baitrunner feature:

Shimano Stradic 8000 and Sustain (higher gear ratio; excellent drag, (Sustain costs more); Shimano Spheros (at least 8000 for 20 lbs; less than $200). Spool offsetting technology for maximum casting distance (no hour glass shape on spool).

For casting distance with the baitrunner feature Shimano Thunnus is great (slightly over $200)

If casting distance is not important the baitrunner 4500 and over is great.

Penn 7500SS is great. I am a Shimano, Penn man.

[VICIII]

thanks for all you input...
Again great wisdom here a P&S...

[mlbowman1]

I've got a Shimano Stradic and love it. Just my two cents

[lipyanker]

he probably really knows his stuff give him a gift certificate to a dealer

[derekxec]

basspro has a big selection of reels...$200 gift card would buy him a reel and maybe some hooks and stuff

[VICIII]

He decided on the 65oo baitrunner..

Brother was happy...

Thanks for the info P&S

[ccc6588]

He decided on the 65oo baitrunner..

Brother was happy...

Thanks for the info P&S

I read your post again and I have fished in Alaska before for Silver Salmon (Coho) in the river and creek (not ocean). I think the Snook fishermen in Sebastian Inlet are a lot more sophisticated in there selection of rods and reels (I've seen guys will Stella reels and Loomis rods).

The best outfit I saw for Silver Salmon (2nd largest salmon in Alaska similar to snook in size and fight) was a long casting rod (9 foot steel head rod) with an Abu Garcia Ambassadeur saltwater casting reel. There was a couple who caught them left and right with a 10 lb. test usign that outfit.

For King Salmon which run in the Spring, they use trolling rods and reels (Kings go up to 50 lbs. vs. 8-14 lbs. for Silvers).

I think for a fast swimming fish like Salmon a higher gear ratio reel is more advantageous. But, I caught them just the same with lesser reel than the Baitrunner 6500.

[derekxec]

he def wont be sorry i beat the hell out of my baitrunners and they hold up great and for $120 its hard to beat

[rockhead]

whatever you do don't let him buy a quantum product, they are the worst of all! I would buy a okuma before I got a quantum. my recommendation would be a penn slammer

[VICIII]

what about a boca?

[bluerunner]

the new PT series of reels from quantum, i.e. cabo, boca, catalyst are extremely nice. There are not better reels out there for the money.

[rockhead]

I shelled out the dough for the cabo, maybe I just got a bad/reel or something, but it really sucked. I had to return it, I got a shimano in its place

[bluerunner]

elaborate? what went wrong with the reel?

[rockhead]

bail would close mid cast about every 8th cast, popped off four or five mirro lures on my first outing with the reel, and then promptly returned the reel to basspro. replaced it with a stella, obviously have no complaints about that reel

[bluerunner]

ohhh i figured it was something major like bearing failure or something like that as emphatic as you were. I haven't had that problem with my Boca, so must have been something to do with that reel.

[rhorm]

the new PT series of reels from quantum, i.e. cabo, boca, catalyst are extremely nice. There are not better reels out there for the money.

I hear ya! :D I have a Catalyst 30. I love the titanium bail. :D I'm looking for a big game reel. Got my eye on the Boca. ;)
Thinking about pickin one up or maybe Santa will. :D

[longcast]

The Quantum stuff looks good at first, in as little as a year the finish is wearing off. The guts still hold up, and slop comes quickly to the handle drive shaft bushing/bearing. The measure of longevity with Penn, Daiwa, Shimano is in years, Quantum in months. There are cheaper reels that last longer & look better after several dates.

[bluerunner]

I haven't heard that, actually I've heard the opposite from guys who really put their stuff through the ringer. Penn reels nowadays are crap made in China, except for the International V series. It seems like Quantum got such a bad reputation and is having trouble getting rid of it.

[rhorm]

One of my first reels was a Quantum and it was a piece of junk. I stayed away from em until this past summer a guy @ the bait shop recommended the Catalyst for snookin rather than this years Stradics (Lots of complaints about burned out drags ). I ran that reel through the ringer this past summer with snook and huge jacks. The reel has been very reliable and is still working like the day I got it. :D Bluerunner is right Quantum is working on rebuilding their rep and they got some nice reels now that has put them back @ the top. :D

[ccc6588]

Better safe than sorry. Stick with the premium brand such as Shimano and Penn.

Fin-Nor spinning looks greatand they' ve had great reputation in the past, but I am afraid to shell out $200 for it.

[bluerunner]

Better safe than sorry. Stick with the premium brand such as Shimano and Penn.

Fin-Nor spinning looks greatand they' ve had great reputation in the past, but I am afraid to shell out $200 for it.

Penn is no longer a premium brand, especially for spinners. The International V series and the 525mag are exceptions. Quantum is making itself into one, and Daiwa has the best spinners money can buy.

[ccc6588]

Penn is no longer a premium brand, especially for spinners. The International V series and the 525mag are exceptions. Quantum is making itself into one, and Daiwa has the best spinners money can buy.

When I was a boy, my father swore by Daiwas (All silver reel). The last time I checked, their rods were still behind Shimanos in technology (like anti reverse). I do notice that they now have some premium +$500 reels. Unfortunately, I have been very satisfied with Baitrunner, Spheros and Stradic. I may check them out next time I'm in a fishing store.

[bluerunner]

their reels in general are better with braid, and hold up longer. Shimano's tend to have a bunch of plastic parts. If weight is your main concern go with Shimano cause they will be lighter, but Daiwa is a little tougher. Their antireverse is instant just like Shimano so I don't know what you are talking about there....those two manufacturers are the top of the line, with the lower end daiwa's a little better than the lower end Shimano's I feel.

[rockhead]

I think the slammer is the only decent spinner penn has now days

[bluerunner]

yep, and its no where near the same class as Daiwa or Shimano, its heavy and clunky, doesn't do as well with braid and doesn't have as good a drag

[Railroader]

I like my Slammers...With braid. SMOOTH reels, well built, traditional styling.

I'm curious to see how they do with the Made In China stuff, though....:rolleyes:

Hated to see it happen.

[bluerunner]

I didn't say they were bad reels...and you catch enough fish where i'm certainly not gonna bash them. I just like Daiwa and Quantum a little better. Plus I always like to be a little different and everybody is always Penn-Shimano-Penn-Shimano so I try to go in a different direction without losing quality, and Daiwa and Quantum do that for me.

Just like for my king reels, I have Daiwa LD50H's instead of the TLD's that most people have in the same price range.

[ccc6588]

It's ok to be different. It has been a while since I even checke out a Daiwa. They have the standard gold/black reel for about $100. I think that one still does not have anti-reverse.

I may check some new stuff out. Fin-Nor spinning reel looks good on the catalogue. Nice touch with the line capacity for braid as well. Looks like a great drag.

[bluerunner]

Daiwa's technology is right up there with Shimano's:D

[rockhead]

my order of preference would be daiwa 1st, shimano 2nd, after that I don't know