Northwest Fishing Reports

Does anyone have some advice on a moderately priced spinning reel in the 8-12# range. I have an old mitchell 300 that I have had for years but used minimum. It is alittle to big and clunky for what I would like. Any input is appreciated.

I personally love my shimano sahara 4000fd although it is a little bigger then what you are wanting I like the shimano line or spinning reels. cost effective and durable mine was about 80 with tax

I have the okuma ignite series. I've thought about getting more expensive reels, but the iT 20 through 40 have a really smooth spin to them and they only cost me 20-30 dollars depending where I got them. They've lasted me a year now with more than a thousand hours on the water. I fish hard and they've held up quite well, not to mention that I can replace it for cheaper than manufacturers shipping cost with other reels. I don't know, I wouldn't by any other low or mid range reel after using these ones. Being able to afford multiple reels means I can have a float rod, drift rod and a trout rod with me while I'm hiking through the river. These are sturdy reels, I do a lot of bushwhacking through blow downs, wading, scrambling up steep banks or cliffs. They keep dirt out and have a pretty nice drag to 'em. They're pretty compact but carry a lot of line and are a lot better than the budget reels I've been using before.

I second the Shimano Sahara, and if you can swing the dough I'd upgrade to a Shimano Symetre. I fish both and the Sahara gives you a lot of bang for the buck. Of course I'm biased (perhaps brainwashed) to loving Shimano reels. Of course, if money is no object, the Shimano Stella is top of the line.

natetreat wrote:I have the okuma ignite series. I've thought about getting more expensive reels, but the iT 20 through 40 have a really smooth spin to them and they only cost me 20-30 dollars depending where I got them. They've lasted me a year now with more than a thousand hours on the water. I fish hard and they've held up quite well, not to mention that I can replace it for cheaper than manufacturers shipping cost with other reels. I don't know, I wouldn't by any other low or mid range reel after using these ones. Being able to afford multiple reels means I can have a float rod, drift rod and a trout rod with me while I'm hiking through the river. These are sturdy reels, I do a lot of bushwhacking through blow downs, wading, scrambling up steep banks or cliffs. They keep dirt out and have a pretty nice drag to 'em. They're pretty compact but carry a lot of line and are a lot better than the budget reels I've been using before.

i have the it 30 and i love the reel! I can out cast some high end reels (bait and spin) with it, the drag is great as long as you take care of it which takes 5 minutes every 3 months, its very smooth while reeling and in the 3 years ive owned it ive had no problems and it worls like brand new

So you have a Mitchell 300....? Wondering what condition it is in, and which of the series it is?? This is a very collectible reel. http://www.mitchellreels.net/index.php? ... &Itemid=72

Link to a great Mitchell site above...

I have about 5 of them, of various versions. For a newer, modern reel, I have been through a few. I fished the Okuma reels for awhile and seemed to like them pretty well. I settled on the Pluegher President series reel a couple years ago. I think it is a 10 bearing reel. It comes in a variety of sizes from Ultra lite style fishing through something you could cast easily from the ocean beach. It is extremely smooth with its 10 bearing system. The housing of the reel is made to last and holds up just fine to salt. Most other reels that I fish in the salt, will start to slow down regardless of how much I may rinse them after the salt water. (it is a fresh water reel, but I'm just saying holds up in the salt) The one in your size range sells retail for about 20 bucks give or take a few. Check it out.

I don't think the Mitchell that I have is much. It was made in Taiwan. I don't remember where I got this but it is to big to do much for river fishing. Kind of awkward and clunky on the pole. I do appreciate the link however as I think there are a few from when my grandad passed and I stored away. I'll have to look.

I do thank you all for the advise on reels. I have been away from river fishing for some time and am trying to get back into it again. I have a 16' jet sled but am looking to do alittle more bank fishing also. Starting over with this is showing me how much I don't know. Having this site and the talent on it is a real help shallowing the learning curve again.

also the abu cardnial is a good reel. I just got a brand new one and i have only used it once but i already love it, super smooth and a good drag for 60 bucks i believe

dicinu wrote:I personally love my shimano sahara 4000fd although it is a little bigger then what you are wanting I like the shimano line or spinning reels. cost effective and durable mine was about 80 with tax

I agree with dicinu, the shimano sahara 4000fd is an awesome reel ! I have 4 of them.

Jay K wrote:I second the Shimano Sahara, and if you can swing the dough I'd upgrade to a Shimano Symetre. I fish both and the Sahara gives you a lot of bang for the buck. Of course I'm biased (perhaps brainwashed) to loving Shimano reels. Of course, if money is no object, the Shimano Stella is top of the line.

+1 on the Shimano Symetre. I have the 300. It is smooth and handles big fish no problem.

Check out the Pflueger President reel, I think it's best bang for your buck reel, honestly all my other reels are shimanos. Very smooth and great drag, had the reel for 2 years now with no problems.

I am also a Pflueger President fan. I've got three and they are great for the price ($50-$75).

I'm glad someone mentioned Pflueger reels. I really like mine. For a lot of years now, they've made good quality products for frugal fishermen. I also have a couple of Pflueger fly reels that have found a permanent home in my quiver.

I guess I have some shopping to do this weekend. Everybody has given me some great suggestions and I thank you all for sharing with me. Now just have to choose the one that fits me right.

I've got the Shimano Stradic 2500, got a great deal on it new in box on eBay. Love love love it; solidly built, smooth as silk, never had a problem with it. I upgraded the drag to carbontext for kicks, but it probably didn't need it. One of the things I like the most about it is how easy it is for me to service myself. I'm by no means an expert at reel repair, but give me an hour and I can tear it down to the frame, clean and lube, and have it back good as new. It's mechanically fairly simple, and in my book the less parts something has the less that can (and will) go wrong with it.

I have a buddy who fishes more than almost everyone I know, and he swears by the Sahara. A little less spendy but still real good.

side note, I can't say enough good things about Shimano customer service. Great folks and happy to help with whatever little problem you might have. In my case, I had a little trouble getting my Curado back together (I can't help tinkering!) and they called me back and walked me through the spot I was having trouble with.

I bought my wife an Abu Garcia Cardinal for salmon fishing a few years back. It was roughly $35 from Joes. It has been a great reel for her and has a good drag and pretty decent hold. I am a Quantum guy myself and mainly fish with higher end baitcasters but I do have a higher end Quantum spin reel and also own many cheaper Quantum spin reels and I love them all.

I noticed that alot of other people have said that the Shimano's are good and they are right. Shimano makes a very tough and durable reel.

Well, I went shopping today. It seemed to be a tossup but decided to go with the Plueger President 35XT. It was between that and the Shimano Sahara. The Plueger just felt alittle better in my hand.

While there I paired it with an Okuma 9'6" drift rod as all my others are baitcasters. Love taking my wife shopping as she gets so tired of me waffling between things that she just says buy it. Oh and while your at it get this too.

Now just need to get out to the water and try them. Thank you to everybody for the quality advice you gave.

Racer 620 wrote:Well, I went shopping today. It seemed to be a tossup but decided to go with the Plueger President 35XT. It was between that and the Shimano Sahara. The Plueger just felt alittle better in my hand.

While there I paired it with an Okuma 9'6" drift rod as all my others are baitcasters. Love taking my wife shopping as she gets so tired of me waffling between things that she just says buy it. Oh and while your at it get this too.

Now just need to get out to the water and try them. Thank you to everybody for the quality advice you gave.

good you got something that feels good to you.. I know it will slay salmon soon. on the okuma I love mine I have the sst spinning drift rod also 9'6 I love it so far. hopefully tomorrow I will have a few salmon on the end of it.