Best Reels/Rods

Just wanted to get some feedback...I'm looking for a nice and reliable reel and rod setup that will be used mainly for redfish....trying to stay under the 200$ range. Any feedback is appriciated..

Penn Spinfisher SSV 4500 Spinning Reel

Have three 4500 and one 6500. Drag is great, and can handle salt water. You can put in the water and spin it and no water gets in, they have a you tube video. Bass pro is like 150 to 160, but AMAZON has them for 113 range. I have used all the other reels on the market, but this is the best one I would say. I had a few shimano reels, but they eventually went to crap. Just not as STRONG as my PENN. Required more cleaning and i did not like the drag on them. Also PENN has their own oil, grease and cleaning supplies. BEST REEL OUT THERE for Reds in marsh. I normally use 14lb, but you can put up to 20lb test on them. Even though the 4500 is only rated for 12lb.

Shimano sahara 2500 or 3000 are some great reels as well as the penn battle 3000 or 4000.There all I use

Shimano sahara 2500 or 3000 are good reels! I use a 2500 for bass fishing and scaleit. My 3000 after about 3 years of use in the salt water, it just started to break down. The drag system versuses the Penn, there is no comparison! But the shimano will get the job, but after using penn i will not go back.

My personal preference is Shimano reels and St. Croix rods. Shimano reels are tried and true quality and durability. Saharas are great, but the older model is better than the new one. I think the Symetre is worth the extra $20. Go with the 3000 size; same weight as 2500, but stronger drag and more line capacity. Penn designs good reels, but has moved all production to China except for the Internationals so I choose not to buy from them.

If you want a baitcaster in your budget, I'd get an H2O Xpress Mettle, but it's a right hand retreive so I don't use it that often.

A good all around inshore rod is about 7 feet, Medium power, Fast action. It'll cast baits 1/4-3/4 oz. well and has enought power to pull in big fish. My recommendation would be a St. Croix Tidemaster Inshore or Premier; very high quality, made in the USA, and will last forever with a good warranty to back it up. Those two options are in the $120-$160 range. A St. Croix Triumph or MOJO will run you a little less because they're made in Mexico, but they're great rods as well.

I had a recent bad experience with Waterloo Rods and Academy, so I definitely would not recommend them, and Falcon and Kistler keep shipping more and more production to China so I don't buy their stuff.

Yeah Shimano 3000 is good, but when you hook up on a big bull red or drum, if you do not play him just right...you will lose them. I fished my 3000 for 3 years, and randomly a part just broke. If I dropped it in the water, (game over for the day). The salt completely jammed it up. If My PENN fell in, it did not even flinch! I guess everyone has their preference. I can fish the surf and my PENN will have no problem.

I have 2 St. Croix Rods. I have 6.6 ft Mojo Bass and MIS70MHF 7’, fast, 10-20lb mojo inshore spinning rod. After about 2 weeks, my MIS70 snapped in half during when I was pulling a small drum out of the water. I had to pay 40$ for a new one. Since then I have not had a problem. 2 years after I had my St. Croix rod mojo bass 6.6 ft (my tip broke) and they charged me for shipping. I love their rods, but there to sensitive in my opinion.

I decided to go with Cabela's rods. After a month I had a rod and the handle part broke, and they fixed it that day- NO CHARGE. They also do not charge you for their rod warranties. Bass Pro Shops does on theirs, and I felt their rods were not near as good. I also do not see why you would have your name on a rod and charge a warranty. Maybe show that the warranty covers a few years, but defiantly not charge for the warranty. As far as a warranty for another rod company which they are promoting ( I would pay for that) but not a name brand Bass Pro rod.

I have 4 Shimano 3000 C14+ Spooled with FINNS 30lb braid, 2 on Connley INSHORE SPIN 8-17 7' and 2 on INSHORE SPIN 12-20 7', the two heaver rods are my go to 'Red' setups and the two lighter are for specks, I have one rigged with a sliding popping cork and one for Carolina style fishing in each weight, I have caught several reds in the 30lb class and one even in the 40lb class and have had no problems!

FWIW- I broke one of the tips off on the 8-17lb, Bryan shipped me a replacement free of charge next day!

Yeah I typically use 12lb to 14lb mono, and no braid. Also fish out of a yak, so can be quite challenging verses a boat at times when you hook up on a big um. Typically in a yak you want a reel that can handle max conditions when dealing with salt water. I guess they treat every customer different! Where did you catch the big bull? I bet she would take the yak for a good spin.

The best reel I have ever had for the bang up on the buck is shimano sienna 1000fd. I had 10lb test and landed a few 20lb drum and reds. Reel never gave me a problem, after 3 years I dropped a battery on it. Its in the at 20 to 40 $ range.

I think you have the word on Penn spinning reels being the best already with the reports that you have. I will agree 100% that Penn is the ruler right now. But if its a casting reel you want look at the Abu Garcia Inshore reel. Its built for salt water and will catch the largest of bulls or school trout all the same. My personal spinning reel is a Penn Conflict 1000 spooled with 20# spider wire. This little reel will handle bull reds along with small trout very easy. Good Luck!

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