Best 2500 size reel under $100 ???

Ok. I know I'm not gonna get the best reel in the world for this price, but I'm on a strict budget.

I was thinking of the Shimano Sedona. $99. 7kg drag. Nice & strong. I have the 4000 model & it is a great reel for the cheaper end of the market.

My previous 2500 reel ($35 abu) was fine until I caught a few larger fish with it. Now it grinds away roughly.

It will primarily be used for bream, whiting, herring (small stuff). Lures & bait.

Any recomendations of good or bad reels would be appreciated.

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Pembo


Posts: 161

Date Joined: 14/07/08

Look for a good second hand reel

Wed, 2011-11-16 15:35

I am sure that someone on here will have something they would be prepared to off load.

Posts: 912

Date Joined: 23/07/10

 Look online, but generally

Wed, 2011-11-16 15:51

 Look online, but generally when someone wants a reel under $100 locally i will point them to Shimano Siennas, lower end daiwas like the crest, Please dont look at the drag ratings too much when choosing small reels dont mean crap, 3-4kg max smooth drag is all you need for stuff under 2500.

Posts: 423

Date Joined: 30/09/05

 it matter when people run

Wed, 2011-11-16 16:16

 it matter when people run 20lb on them lol

Posts: 912

Date Joined: 23/07/10

 People like me yes, but

Wed, 2011-11-16 16:27

 People like me yes as i rock fish alot, but speaking in general 20lb is 2.5-3kg drag power max, 30lb 5kg so on, and for rods its 30% of the max rating that should be run for that rod.

Posts: 423

Date Joined: 30/09/05

 that's what the manufactures

Wed, 2011-11-16 21:54

 that's what the manufactures recomend. what people actually do is a whole differnt story ;)

Jamos Damokos's picture

Posts: 239

Date Joined: 11/08/11

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SHIMA

Wed, 2011-11-16 16:19

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SHIMANO-SYMETRE-2500-FJ-SPINNING-REEL-NEW-/140622255503?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20bdbd558f

havnt seen a symetre in years but pretty sure they are better than sedona's and for only $4 more.

 

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Twiddling my thumbs with velvet gloves on.

Posts: 423

Date Joined: 30/09/05

 the symetre is still being

Wed, 2011-11-16 21:55

 the symetre is still being produced. definitley better than the sedona as it has a full aluminium body amongst other things.

flangies's picture

Posts: 2550

Date Joined: 11/05/08

If you can get a hold of a

Wed, 2011-11-16 17:00

If you can get a hold of a sahara, it is the same as a symetre only the roller bush is replaced with a bearing, and can be picked up $20 cheaper than a symetre locally.

pembo6's picture

Posts: 175

Date Joined: 21/08/11

thanks for the input guys

Thu, 2011-11-17 09:25

thanks for the input guys.

I will keep an eye out for a symetre for a good price. Might get lucky and find one second hand in good nick?? Would love a stradic, but cant justify it when the little rod only comes out occasionally (dont be rude!!!).

The 7kg drag on the Sedona only interested me becuase I figure it may not be smooth at 7kg, but it is probably great at about 3 or 4kg. I know many cheaper reels ($100 and under) really dont operate well at their stated max drag.

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Pembo

Bunny's picture

Posts: 678

Date Joined: 05/08/10

I have a symetre 2500 and

Thu, 2011-11-17 09:35

I have a symetre 2500 and 4000. Great little reels performance wise but not so good corrosion wise. Still I can't fault their perfomance. I did just buy some Penn Conquers the other day because they were 100 bucks on a big sale. That's an awesome price for that reel. Check their specs and you'll see what I mean.

There's another store selling Quantum Energies for 100 bucks. For bait fishing I recommend a Penn Slammer 360, it's a tank and you will have a hard time killing it.

Posts: 200

Date Joined: 30/12/08

Anaconda had reduced prices

Wed, 2011-11-23 09:08

Anaconda had reduced prices on some Pluegers so I was told, $160 down to $60. They're not a bad brand. They probably have marked down others as well.