I got a new St Croix Rod. It might be my best rod so far.

It is 7', ML action, Fast tip. Rated for 4-10 lb test and 1/8 to 1/2 oz lures.

I am looking to spend $100 on a reel. I would like to use the rod for everything in the BW. Well, maybe not everything. Let's focus on walleye and smallies. It will probably see some lake trout and pike too but it's primary focus will be walleyes and smallies.

First, what type of line? I was thinking 6 lb braid. That might be a bit light but I already have several rods with heavier braid.

Second, what size reel? I was thinking of a smaller reel. Maybe a Shimano 1000 or a Pflueger 20-25. Is that too small?

Now for the biggie... what brand and model for the reel?

I have a new Gander Outdoors near me. I was thinking of getting out every reel around $100 and seeing how they all feel. But I wanted to ask all yall to get some guidance before I go...

I'm a big fan of the Pflueger President series and they're under $100.
As far as line goes, I would go with 6-10 lb mono in Trilene XL or a quality braid in the 12-15 lb range. I don't care for braid in the lighter test poundages. It's so thin it can bury itself in the spool on the hook set and is sometimes difficult for my older hands and eyes to handle.

I like the Pflueger President (35) with 10lb Fireline

One of my favorite rods for over 30 years was a Berkley HOT ROD , 6'6" ML #4-#10 , (until the elements got to it) it was fun for pannies and could also land just about anything in the lake. I haven't looked at the newer models lately but you Should be able to get a real nice Shimano for $100 and myself I usually went with #8 triline

With that budget, Pflueger President XT with some cash to spare or a supreme when they're on sale.

Here's a Quantum Energy on eBay for $100. I remember when these first came out they were going for about $180.

Quantum Enengy

I don't think I could tell the difference between a $60 reel and a $100 reel. If the reel is smooth to operate, has a good drag and is comfortable in my hands, I'm sure that I'd be fine with it. I have a couple Shimano reels in that $60 price range that I love. Coincidentally, they're attached to St. Croix rods. What a great fishing setup.

If you're set on $100, I like the Pfleuger Supremes. You can find them cheaper than that, too, though as others have said, the President line also works.

Depending on your patience, now might be a good time to wait for the spring sales to roll around. Our local stores all have good deals, and some have great deals, in the weeks leading up to fishing opener in May.

I called the St Croix company store. I have been there many times since my father lived in Fifield. I figured it would be interesting to get their recommendation for my exact rod...

The guy was very experienced and helpful. He was a very happy Daiwa user. He recommended the Daiwa Fuego LT, size 2500. He also recommend 10-15 lb braid. He said that he didn't see much advantage to lighter braid since it is so thin. He also recommended using a 6lb fluoro leader if the water was clear. He pointed out that 14 lb braid and 6 lb fluoro have the same diameter and that would help with knot strength.

i don't have experience with a lot of reels at that price range but do have a pfluger supreme and supreme xt and wouldn't hesitate to get either again. with patience you can find the xt on sale at your price point.

shimano sahara, a little under a hundo. fastest reel out there, which i like. i'd go 2500 size with 6 lb mono.

lundojam: "shimano sahara, a little under a hundo. fastest reel out there, which i like. i'd go 2500 size with 6 lb mono."

Agree!

AmarilloJim: "I like the Pflueger President (35) with 10lb Fireline"

Exactly
I have at least 6 of these now. These reels are smooth and last a long time. This combo of line and real size is great for casting distance from ultralight to heavy lures. Diving lures dive deeper on fireline. If you like to tie mono or flouro to braid the knots will be stronger with fireline because it’s smooth and won’t damage the leader material like other braids. 8 and 10 fireline break at over 20lbs.

He recommended the Daiwa Fuego LT, size 2500. He also recommend 10-15 lb braid. He said that he didn't see much advantage to lighter braid since it is so thin. He also recommended using a 6lb fluoro leader if the water was clear."

+1 on the Fuego excellent reel with a great drag.

GirlOnARock: "

lundojam: "shimano sahara, a little under a hundo. fastest reel out there, which i like. i'd go 2500 size with 6 lb mono."

Agree!
"

disagree! friction ring swelled up on a month old sahara in the BWCA (with it wrapped safely still under the canoe)
anyone had that happen? pretty grindy! you need to spend more or u will get non-metal parts with shimano

I would go with pflueger/daiwa/abu garci/quantum perhaps.. there are many good sites where u can compare reels that u are intrested in

BlackSwanAdventures: ".... there are many good sites where u can compare reels that u are intrested in


"

What is a good site to compare?

I've found some sites with google and they are pretty useless. I'd like to be able to get a focused comparison like folks provided here. For example, "What is the best spinning reel between $80 and $120?"

If searching for bigger fish / pike fishing, I'd fish a Shimano Sahara 2500 / 3000 (as I have a little more confidence in the drag).....but from a casting standpoint, I do lean toward Daiwa Legalis / Exceler 2500 reel. All of these are less than $100, so I'm sure you could move up a step in each line and still be at your price point.

It's funny how we can gravitate to certain manufacturers. I hear so much about Pflueger Presidents, and am sure they are excellent reels. However, I had one Pflueger reel about 16 years ago that got a serious case of the grinds in less than a year and I can't bring myself to buy another one. Still using Shimano Sedonas and Saharas from that same era.

I hope you Sahara folks are right. Walked out of fleet farm with one today because of this thread. It almost looks and feels cheap compared to the 60$ Pflueger next to it I usually get. Sahara is lighter. What the heck it was a gift card, house money I'll give it a rip.

for $100, hands-down I'd buy a Daiwa. Either the new BG or the above mentioned Fuego. Both are really smooth reels, and both look downright sexy (isn't that half the selling point for fishing equipment?). The BG has a machined aluminum body, while the Fuego has a composite body and higher max drag. The reason I say Daiwa over Shimano is because at lower price points Daiwa reels tend to have better features and quality (bearings, durability, etc). I feel that Shimano gives you more bang-for-your-buck only in their higher end models and not build their reels to a given price point.

Okay, I'm ready to be attacked by all the Shimano fanboys now... :)

I'm surprised no one recommended BPS Johnny Morris series. I was a shimano guy for decades. About 10 years ago I bought my first johnny morris reel. Now, all my reels are Johnny Morris.

The Johnny reels are just as good as my shimano reels, and are sometimes 1/3 the price. Most of my reels are right in line with the upper ends of 200-300 reels, but rarely cost 100 bucks.

I have 14 casting and 8 spinning reels and they are all johnny morris , except for 2 lews super speed spools......I really like those too :) :) .

Later,

Geo

GeoFisher: "I'm surprised no one recommended BPS Johnny Morris series. I was a shimano guy for decades. About 10 years ago I bought my first johnny morris reel. Now, all my reels are Johnny Morris. ...
"

I had never heard of these so I went to basspro.com. It seems that all the Johnny Morris reels have pretty bad reviews.

What model do you like?

I used to be a Shimano guy but I'm done with them. Just not the same anymore. They don't last. I have a Pflueger now and I love it. I recommend getting a medium size reel. It's no problem to have a little bigger reel than you need, but if it's too small you're sol.

Sorry to bump an old thread, I saw this deal and thought others might be interested since this model was recommended by many.

Academy has the Pflueger President Spinning Reel 30 and 40 price cut to $24.99. They are usually around $60. $25 minimum purchase for FREE SHIPPING

Pflueger Reel

This year I really splurged on a couple new fishing rods. Bought two of St Croix's top rods, figured they should go with some top reels. One of the reels I bought is a Shimano Stradic Ci4, the one with the magnesium brakes or whatever. The second reel I bought I wanted something A LITTLE smaller, so I bought a Diawa Tatula, which came out this year (2019). I actually bought the exact same rod you did. I bought a 7' Medium Fast Legend X that I put the Stradic on, with braided line for added sensitivity. Then after realizing I loved my new setup so much, and that it could never make it on a BWCA trip being a 1 piece rod, I bought a 6'8" Medium Light Legend Elite that I put the Stradic on. Long story short the Legend elite with the tatula is my favorite rod and the best combo I've ever had in my hand. Had the best fishing year of my life in the BWCA this year with that new rod. Rod? Or everything else? Idk, but I can't rule either out.

The Stradic is an amazing reel, I am confident I could reel in the biggest fish in Minnesota on my Stradic, and it's only the medium sized reel, casts nice, the tension is unbelievably adjustable, reels in silky smooth, it's just a LITTLE bigger than my ideal reel size. I think it was like $280 for this reel.

The Tatula LT (spinning reel) on the other hand......This is the best reel I've ever owned. It reels in so smoothly you have to double check that your line didn't snip off or something, I'm not exaggerating. It feels as smooth as reeling on an empty spool, smoother than that. Your wrist just effortlessly spins it, absolutely no drag or mechanical vibration to be felt during operation. The drag is as impressive as the Stradic, it's as light as reels get now a days, and it looks amazing in that devlishly hansom black with a chrome spider decal. Buy a Tatula, might be a little more than you want to spend, I think they're $180 or so but it'll become your new gold standard in reels. Cheaper than the Stradic, absolutely on par with quality.

Shimano NASCI with 10 lb Fireline. If you want to spend less, then Pflueger President.

arnesr: "Sorry to bump an old thread, I saw this deal and thought others might be interested since this model was recommended by many.


Academy has the Pflueger President Spinning Reel 30 and 40 price cut to $24.99. They are usually around $60. $25 minimum purchase for FREE SHIPPING


Pflueger Reel "

Thanks for the heads up. I ordered the 30 online and picked it up on my way home from work.

Daiwa

Daiwa

shimano spinman here, i have reels over 20 years old that work just fine.

bwcasolo +1

I was a Shimano spinman ever since I started coming to Quetico in 1979. My Shimano reels served me well and finally wore out after 35years. A few of my buds were unhappy with the quality of Shimano reels they had purchased after 2012, so I converted to Pfleugger reels a few years back.

Pfleugger Supreme and Patriarchs have performed well. Exceptionally smooth reels with a nice drag. Also, they are lighter weight than other reels in their price range. I also like that they come with a braid ready spool so you will not have to use mono backing to put braid on your Pfleugger reels.

Pfleugger reels will go on sale from time to time and you can get some very nice purchase deals. The higher priced Patriarch model is worth the extra money in my opinion.

I have paired up my Pfleugger reels with St Croix Premier Rods. I went with St Croix Premiers on the advice of JACKFISH and I really like this setup. Nicely balanced.

I was gonna say shimano sahara, but then I see I already did. I almost "plus one" ed myself.

This is something I did a couple of years ago when I was in the market. My price range was in that $150-$225 slot...new or used. I have two old Symetre's that I like ok...they were replaced by the NASCI. I have a President which has a cult like status but I have never really developed a love affair with it. There are a few newer reels that if I did another comparison would need to be included in this list.

Things that were important to me:

1) Weight of the Reel. All things equal, the lighter the set-up, the more sensitive. I love to use MLF or MLXF spinning rods and 1/16-3/16 jigs for smallmouth. If the technique calls for more power, I use a baitcaster.

2) Gear Ratio/Line Retrieval...I typically fish whitewater rivers and need to sometimes get that fish our of the rocks and current as quickly as possible.

3) Line Capacity...I am strictly a braid(15-20lb) to leader guy with spinning gear. If other variables are even, I would go with the greater line capacity. Never know when you run into a big carp/catfish/musky/pike and need to let them make a run or ten.

For the record, I have yet to purchase any of these selections...based on feel and tale of the tape...I would have to think the the Ci4 would be hard to beat.