Choosing a fishing reel

[Thealo]

Hi everyone, I need some advice on what to buy for my second pole. I currently have a Shimano Symmetry 2500 FI for my Guide Series Ultimate 6’6” pole. My dad recently gifted me all his fishing gear, including a beautiful St. Croix Premier 6’ PSMF, which I believe will be my primary fishing pole. However, the issue is that he has older reels with those poles. I think I’d like to upgrade to new ones. The reels he has with the poles he gave me are Zebco Cardinal 4’s and one Abu Cardinal 4. Should I upgrade? If I do, what should I get? I prefer Shimano reels.
Thanks for your time.

 

[GTN]

Those reels are classics! It was my first spinning reel in 1972. Do get rid of them.
I like Shimano Symetre and Sedona in the 4000 size. The bigger spool size gives you less line curl imo

 

[holdover]

Diawa makes a good reel

 

[Saltwater60]

I really like Pfluger supreme or President reels. I’ve had pfluger for the last 25 years and one has never failed me. I have about 10-15 of them between me and my son. My son has a kastking he swears is great.

 

[218bee]

You don’t mention what type of fishing you’re into, but I’m also a Shimano fan. Personally I fish salt water (Blues & Stripers) and use a Shimano 3500-series Baitrunner. Best of both worlds. Use it for top water plug casting and baitrunner function works great with a bunker chunk for bass/blues. Can use them for medium/large fresh water too, like reservoir fishing with sawbellies/minnows. Maybe a little big for your 6’ pole. Have a few on 6’6” and 7-footers and they look right at home. Pick up a used clean one on EBay for around a hundo.

 

[Bustedknees]

I hardly ever fish so I like the old Zebco 101 retard reel . It has a big ass white button like a gun safety.

 

[camper4lyfe]

I'd honestly look at respooling the current reels and see what you think of them. They may be just right and don't need to be replaced.

As far as potential replacements; don't ask me, I buy stuff on clearance.

 

[Robin]

I always liked the Penn stuff, never had an issue.
Though, looking at the current pricing I'm happy I haven't needed one in the last thirty years or so.

Saltwater Fishing Reels | PENN Fishing® US

Pull in your catch at sea with the saltwater reels at PENN Fishing® US. Shop our selection of baitcast, conventional, fly, and spinning fishing reels today!

www.pennfishing.com

Robin

 

[Saltwater60]

I always liked the Penn stuff, never had an issue.
Though, looking at the current pricing I'm happy I haven't needed one in the last thirty years or so.

Saltwater Fishing Reels | PENN Fishing® US

Pull in your catch at sea with the saltwater reels at PENN Fishing® US. Shop our selection of baitcast, conventional, fly, and spinning fishing reels today!

www.pennfishing.com

Robin

You can’t go wrong with penn products.
OP, you’ll be happy with any of the brand name gear out there. Go to a shop, bring your rod, and see what feels right on the rod. I like to know the balance of the rod and reel and how smooth it ranks in. The capacity and gear ratio are the other two things I look at. If it doesn’t feel right on the rod all else could be great but I won’t buy it. If you fish for a long time you will get fatigued.

 

[pjzwtl]

I always liked the Penn stuff, never had an issue.
Though, looking at the current pricing I'm happy I haven't needed one in the last thirty years or so.

Saltwater Fishing Reels | PENN Fishing® US

Pull in your catch at sea with the saltwater reels at PENN Fishing® US. Shop our selection of baitcast, conventional, fly, and spinning fishing reels today!

www.pennfishing.com

Robin

Ditto on Penn

 

[OwenP]

Been wanting to get into fishing more this thread helped spark it for me again

 

[Saltwater60]

Been wanting to get into fishing more this thread helped spark it for me again

what are you waiting for? Make it happen.

 

[holdover]

I was going to go with Penn myself this year, but I read some reviews on Fish USA and they were stateing that the newer Penns are not the same quality they used to be , just sayin.

 

[holdover]

Right now Im looking for a Lund boat , I know they are over priced and all but they have a lot of things I like , like being able to handle the rough water in the great lakes , I was going to pull the trigger on a 2012 Tyee yesterday ,But it had just sold The new ones are way out of my price range at 80K and up

 

[Saltwater60]

Right now Im looking for a Lund boat , I know they are over priced and all but they have a lot of things I like , like being able to handle the rough water in the great lakes , I was going to pull the trigger on a 2012 Tyee yesterday ,But it had just sold The new ones are way out of my price range at 80K and up

These boats are absurd honestly. I want a fishing boat but I’d like to take my family of four plus another set of father son fishing boats I’ll likely end up with a sub tracker bass buggy in a few years. I cannot justify the price of these other fishing boats for the size and what you get. I know I won’t likely be able to go out on the lake fishing but I fish the Niagara River mostly so it will handle that just fine. New ones are $36,000 with a trolling motor, motor, trailer, and fish finder. I can handle that.

 

[holdover]

The Tyee can handle 6- 8 passengers , the one I was looking at on boat trader was 2013, 34K 150 merc, and a 9hp. tiller motor, thats about as much as I can afford too, My preference for the bigger lund was its reputation in rough water, safety first, being a newbie boater, I didnt want to piss off a lot people If we all drowned, so I am willing to spend the extra bucks for security. Thats The way I see it anyway. Its not going to seem like a bargain if Im taking water in a storm and the engine dies .

I have a motorized Kayak , and I learned some good lessons fast about the lake , its no fucking joke , The water got choppy out there and I was wondering if Im going to make it back . security is my main concern so thats why I was leaning that way

 

[pshift]

Penn / Shimano, can't really go wrong. With an older reel, get rid of the string first, take it apart, check for any rust or corrosion on the inside. If there is any rust or corrosion inside, get rid of it. If none, lithium grease for all of the internal components is your best bet. Have my equipment for 20+ years and resisting the urge to get something 'new' every time I go to the sporting goods store.