12 Responses to “What is the best fishing reel you have ever owned?”

1. Modern Major General Says:
   November 18th, 2011 at 3:19 am

   Mitchell 410 with autoactivated bail arm. I have used it for light float fishing, heavy carp fishing and spinning for pike! It is over 30 years old and still going strong!

2. Kit Says:
   November 18th, 2011 at 3:41 am

   A shakespeare.

3. redheat Says:
   November 18th, 2011 at 3:55 am

   I dont know what it is because the label is scratched off and I found it in a pond. Someone abandoned it. It came with the pool and I could tell it is an easy 10 years old when I got it. I know it is used for medium action rods and I caught a 30lb turtle with it

4. The Wormist Says:
   November 18th, 2011 at 4:19 am

   l gotta give this a bit of thought.
   l do my best to avoid reels that aren’t extremely good quality (l certainly can’t afford the very best) and so far have had good results with my curados, ABUs, daiwas and others. if l had to pick among my current reels, l would have to say my TDX 105 pia.
   but of all the reels l have ever owned, l would have to say the one that l bought new and used it exclusively for everything for years, a mitchell 300 that l bought with a garcia rod # 2508B.
   l had to replace the bail spring once and went through two sets of guides on the rod before the rod fell to a stupid accident. the reel was still in good condition when l retired it after years of hard use.

   

5. dumdum Says:
   November 18th, 2011 at 4:51 am

   I don’t have much experience with anything but bait casters and fairly cheap ones at that.So far I have never bought one over $139 bucks except for a Shimano Calcutta and it was the best of the bunch. I’m about to buy a Revo or a Curado and I’m hoping it will be the best I’ve ever owned.

6. Grand Master Basser® Says:
   November 18th, 2011 at 4:53 am

   Owned myself? Hmm… not really that many that I would consider ones that I “own”. I use my dad’s rods and reels, too.

   I guess it would have to be my swimbait reel, Penn International 975.

7. Fisher_King Says:
   November 18th, 2011 at 5:05 am

   I have 2 that are worth mentioning.

   #1. My Daiwa, “Silver Series” Surf Fishing spinning reel, (can’t remember the exact code). I’ve had that reel for , oh, 30 years or so- I got it when I was 12-13. The Silver Series was a forerunner of the Daiwa, BG’s. That reel saw a LOT of use! Its currently sitting at my Fathers house in Fla gathering dust, (Unfortunately, I don’t have any use for that sized reel here in MN.)

   #2. My first year Shimano, Symetre, (the first year they came out). I still have that one. It’s been “decommissioned” and currently holds a place of honor on my desk at home. Ironically, it still works fine! That Symetre caught a LOT of Redfish, Spec Trout, Flounder and Freshwater Bass. It sits next to another decommissioned Mitchell 300 I had when I was a kid. I (pretty much) destroyed the Mitchell…(lol)…..what do you expect from a 9 year old ! (lol)

   Thumbs up to everyone.

8. donall520 Says:
   November 18th, 2011 at 5:54 am

   Mitchell 400.
   Bought it in 1967 or 1968. Never been repaired, only cleaned & lubed.
   I’ll probably use it again in April, if the ice melts. That would make 42 seasons – pretty good in anybody’s book.

9. jerryb Says:
   November 18th, 2011 at 6:13 am

   US Reel Sport Caster 180. Best reel ever!!!

10. William B Says:
    November 18th, 2011 at 6:37 am

    Johnson cast a country mile reel

11. Hazel H Says:
    November 18th, 2011 at 7:04 am

    A Penn, 7500SS spinning reel on a 8′ Shakespeare Ugly Stik, has served me well–baitcasting for barracuda on the Northshore of Oahu, or challenging the acrobatics of coho (Silver) salmon, trolling in Southeast Alaska.
    With the bail open and with the right bait and sinker weight, it casts line out smoothly and evenly.
    The gear ratio makes for easy and fast retrieval when salmon feigns and line goes slack, and holds line well when battling acrobatics of a feisty, trophy-size salmon. Setting the “drag” is easy, even when in the middle of a battle of man versus fish.

12. Reel Hero Says:
    November 18th, 2011 at 7:38 am

    I love my Quantum Pulse 40 spin reels for freshwater and light saltwater fishing. I got them for about $20 apiece, but they are great. As for more expensive reels, my Daiwa Saltist 50 levelwind is a gem. And as for big spin, I adore my Fin-Nor Offshore for the big guys.
    Tight lines.
    “The worst day fishing is better than the best day at work.”

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