Good spinning reel for $200.00

njbasscat · Post by **njbasscat** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 5:39 pm

I had a post earlier asking about a good $100 spinning reel for a friend of mine. I talked my buddy into going with a $200 spinning reel. I have not used any of the newer spinning reels in this class so I need some opinions on what you like. The reel will have 8 lb fluoro and be used for jerkbaits, primarily the Vision 110. I was leaning towards a Pflueger Patriarch, Daiwa Ballastic, or Shimano C14. My buddy wants a 2500 size that is very light and will pair it with a 7 ft fast action rod. Any suggestions or opinions would be appreciated.

falcon · Post by **falcon** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 5:51 pm

Id choose the ci4 if weight is a factor though i feel the FJ is the better reel. I own the patriarch as well and its great to but i trust shimanos quality over the pfluegar.

the 2500 or the 35 model patriarch is what you want

thukidad · Post by **thukidad** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 8:26 pm

x2 on the FJ.. a smoother reel than the Ci4, but the Ci4 is alot lighter.. pick one..

tywithay · Post by **tywithay** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 9:13 pm

Haven't tried the Ballistic or the FJ, but I've had a Patriarch and a CI4; I feel both are very good reels. I think I liked the Patriarch a little more, but if I had to buy another reel it'd be the CI4 over a Patriarch just because of the quality. The Patriarch is a great reel, but I think the CI4 is a better quality reel and will last a lot longer. If you can get him to step up another $50, you can find a Sustain FG on the auction site.....it trumps all the reels mentioned. If he's stuck at $200, I'd go for the CI4.

John Puckett · Post by **John Puckett** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 10:47 pm

Well I just picked this one up today so I don't have any "on the water" time on her yet but she sure feels good just playing around with it. I got the 3000 size but it's basically the exact reel except mine holds a little more line than the 2500.

I've never fished with any of the reels you mentioned but my choice would be the Stradic FJ and if weight is a major concern to him then I'd go CI-4.

zodiak311 · Post by **zodiak311** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:42 pm

I'd go with with a Fuego, many to be had under $200.

wnyBob · Post by **wnyBob** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:51 am

zodiak311 wrote:I'd go with with a Fuego, many to be had under $200.

Obviously the Diawa Fuego would be a good choice, IF one can be found in the size you want for less than $200. They are discontinued and drying up. Otherwise agree with the Stradic FJ. Actually look around to see if a discontinued Stradic FI can be found, it would be cheaper than the new FJ and a nice reel. A real nice reel no one mentioned is the Pflueger Supreme XT. I have a Fuego, I have a Stradic, and a Supreme XT and the Supreme XT is a good real.

ecu daniel 14 · Post by **ecu daniel 14** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 6:53 am

as already mentioned....if you can find a Fuego hop on it.

I absolutely love mine.

Snyder Rods · Post by **Snyder Rods** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 7:42 am

The Pflueger Patriarch will be as light as any other. And because of it's metal rotor, it will be the most sensitive spinning reel. The other two reels mentioned are plastic.

ecu daniel 14 · Post by **ecu daniel 14** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 7:48 am

Snyder Rods wrote:The Pflueger Patriarch will be as light as any other. And because of it's metal rotor, it will be the most sensitive spinning reel. The other two reels mentioned are plastic.

The Fuego is not plastic. It is made with Zaion material.

Snyder Rods · Post by **Snyder Rods** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 8:27 am

ecu daniel 14 wrote:
Snyder Rods wrote:The Pflueger Patriarch will be as light as any other. And because of it's metal rotor, it will be the most sensitive spinning reel. The other two reels mentioned are plastic.
The Fuego is not plastic. It is made with Zaion material.

- Zaion is graphite filled nylon. But it only has a token amount of graphite in it, not enough to do anything. It's mostly plastic.

ecu daniel 14 · Post by **ecu daniel 14** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 8:45 am

Snyder Rods wrote:
ecu daniel 14 wrote:
Snyder Rods wrote:The Pflueger Patriarch will be as light as any other. And because of it's metal rotor, it will be the most sensitive spinning reel. The other two reels mentioned are plastic.
The Fuego is not plastic. It is made with Zaion material.
- Zaion is graphite filled nylon. But it only has a token amount of graphite in it, not enough to do anything. It's mostly plastic.

you are correct sir. still not completely plastic

Teal101 · Post by **Teal101** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 10:00 am

Quality and durability in a spinning reel to me includes the bail. Sorry, but Shimanos bail is a flimsy baby wire. I'm scared I'm going to bend it opening it up sometimes. The Pfluegers is 3x as thick and when it is open, it clicks open and stays open. It then clicks closed when pushed back. No more guessing on whether you bail is all the way open or not like with the Shimanos I have owned/used. It is also extremely light and besides the click some develop at full spool extension, I have yet to hear of issues with them. The click goes away when a slightly thicker grease is added to the spool shaft.

ecu daniel 14 · Post by **ecu daniel 14** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 10:08 am

I agree with the flimsy feeling bail. What rod is that?

3assmaster · Post by **3assmaster** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 10:17 am

Snyder Rods wrote:
ecu daniel 14 wrote:
Snyder Rods wrote:The Pflueger Patriarch will be as light as any other. And because of it's metal rotor, it will be the most sensitive spinning reel. The other two reels mentioned are plastic.
The Fuego is not plastic. It is made with Zaion material.
- Zaion is graphite filled nylon. But it only has a token amount of graphite in it, not enough to do anything. It's mostly plastic.

The CI4 is plastic?

Good spinning reel for $200.00

Good spinning reel for $200.00

Re: Good spinning reel for $200.00

Re: Good spinning reel for $200.00

Re: Good spinning reel for $200.00

Re: Good spinning reel for $200.00

Re: Good spinning reel for $200.00

Re: Good spinning reel for $200.00

Re: Good spinning reel for $200.00

Re: Good spinning reel for $200.00

Re: Good spinning reel for $200.00

Re: Good spinning reel for $200.00

Re: Good spinning reel for $200.00

Re: Good spinning reel for $200.00

Re: Good spinning reel for $200.00

Re: Good spinning reel for $200.00