What reel for my free Burkley drop shot rod ?

[kind_cir]

At the boat show a coupple years back I was given a Berkly dropshot 7 ft rod by one of the presenters. This has been an awesome rod, but the reel I have been using on it is somewhat lacking, and now pretty old. I would like to get into some blade fishing and with a birthday coming up, i thought a new reel and some blades would make a good present for me.

So for flicking blades and plastics on this rod, what reel will give me a smooth action, smooth drag and long casts ?

Oh, I'll probly spool it up with 2-4 lb braid too, what you all think ?

Budget for the reel, would like to keep under $150.

[Horse]

You could look at a Saros. You can get them landed from the States for under $130.00

[tunaticer]

Presuming it is a 2-4kg rod I would opt for a Shimano Symetre 2500 or Shimano Saros 2500.
If by chance it was a 1-3kg rod I would be looking at the 1000 reel in the same brands.
If it was a 3-6 or 4-8 kg rod you would be better off looking at a 3000 or 4000 reel and upping the line weight to 4-6kg as it will never cope with 2-4lb braids.

[kind_cir]

So i got off my ass and got some help from the 25 knt SE'ly to blow me up to the back shed for a look. Reel on it at the moment is a Shimano Sienna 2500 that I got given to me and it had not been looked after, the braid I was told is 4 lb fireline of about 2002 vintage. The rod is a 7 ft 2" Burkley Dropshot IM6 2-4kg.
The reel is ok, but looks like a smashed crab and the drag is a bit sticky, as well as the action.

Btw, if you are ever at a fishing seminar and the host wants to give something away to someone with a good question, then just ask politely if you can please just have said item... Worked for me.

[Horse]

The Saros 3000 is the same size and weight as the 2500 but holds a little more line. This can be a good thing if chasing bigger fish such as Snapper

[kind_cir]

Went on shimano web site and compared some reels, the ones mentioned above and one that was of the same specs. I found the Sedona 2500 to stack up preaty well and had a slightly higher retrieve speed than the others. Found I could get one for $100, so I think that's good value compred.

What do you think of these reels ?

[Horse]

You can get a Sedona locally for around $70. The reel is not in the same category as a Saros. The gears in particular will cause you grief in time. I would look at other brands if spending under $100

[wave dancer]

Mate i have a 4-8kg dropshot paired up with a sedona 4000 and have caught many a snapper while floatlining. Great combo, good all purpose rod and reel

Cheers Mick.

[tunaticer]

I would still opt for the Symetre or saros simply for the extra durability they have built into them.
The Sedona is a nice little reel but it is more prone to bearing problems and the gearing is not as high a quality as the other two. Regular maintenace will see a Sedona last well but are you prepared to break it down for a complete service every 6 months?

[kind_cir]

Well doing some more reading, and I like the saros better now. A realy good drag is real important, and this is where it seems to win. I just got to convince the minister to buy me one, as she has just shelled out for a colour sounder for me for Christmas, that may be a bit hard. She did however just come home earlier today with a $300 tenns machine for her, which is now sending electric shoka through my ear lobes and turning my brain to mush while getting my birthday wish list together.

What other brands, modles should I look at ?

[Feral]

Assuming your still talking about using the 2 to 4lb braid, all you need from the drag is smooth, you dont need and large weight.

I've got a couple of Shakespeare reels I have picked up for the kids sub $100 that have lots of ball bearings and nice smooth drags, worth looking at. The older ones are K2 extremes, not sure if they still make them, the latest one I cant remember the model, but picked it up at the Rays outdoor sale the other day when they had 25% off, cost me about $50 from memory. 10 ball bearings, infinite reverse etc. Very smooth drag.

Also assuming if your using braid that light, it is also a light rod, I would be targeting a 1000 size reel. Thats pretty much all I use on my rods 4kg and under. No need for anything bigger. Balances the rod a lot better and allows you to cast all day.

[Horse]

The 1000 reels are 80 or so grams lighter than a 2500/3000 but the dropshot 2-4kg is much heavier than most in that class. It is very popular with the shallow water Snapper soft plastic fishos and they normally run 8-10lb braid over them. To me a 1000 size is a tad too small for that particular rod. You will get more wind knots and will be found short on bigger fish. Its not the sort of rod to throw ultra light offerings. It will go well for blades etc

[kind_cir]

The 1000 reels are 80 or so grams lighter than a 2500/3000 but the dropshot 2-4kg is much heavier than most in that class. It is very popular with the shallow water Snapper soft plastic fishos and they normally run 8-10lb braid over them. To me a 1000 size is a tad too small for that particular rod. You will get more wind knots and will be found short on bigger fish. Its not the sort of rod to throw ultra light offerings. It will go well for blades etc

Well given the rod has done me well so far with a 2500 size, i'll stick with that. I really like the the stick, it has served me well and has handled many Xos Flatties, bream, and quite a few Trevs and soapies. I am planing to get out the front of Mooloolabah when the Snaps are running in close during winter, and feel It could handle some fun times in the shallow stuff chasing snaps. Just need a better reel to handle it.

[Jackson 53]

From which site in the US can you get a Saros landed for under $130?

[Horse]

From which site in the US can you get a Saros landed for under $130?

http://reel############.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=43&products_id=112&osCsid=2504c58057064c187fa61053b601eac7

add "fishing deals" with no space where its blanked out

[Jackson 53]

Thanks Horse. I'll check it out.