For the smaller size 1000 upto 3000, can't go past diawa. But over that not really sure. I have penn and a shimano, both great reels. Diawa aren't in the price range i can afford for the larger models.
Peter
Daiwa
Shimano
Okuma
Penn
other
I currently own two Shimano Stella's 1000FB & 4000FB, a Sustain 1000FD & 6000FD, two Stradic's 2500 & 4000
versus
Daiwa Certate Custom 1504 and Certate Custom HD 3500.
Both brands make very good spinning reels but I prefer the shimanos. they're smoother overall and they have somoother drag when fishing light line eg. 1lb or 2lb.
My vote goes to shimano.
For the smaller size 1000 upto 3000, can't go past diawa. But over that not really sure. I have penn and a shimano, both great reels. Diawa aren't in the price range i can afford for the larger models.
Peter
Daiwa is my vote
(when Im dead) my biggest FEAR is that my wife will sell my fishing gear for what I said I paid for it.........
Diawa steez and certate hyper great reels but still love my penn 700ss
TSS 4 , while its not as smooth as the more pricey reels, but robust and extremely capable
Daiwa followed closely by pflueger.
I'll put my 2 cents worth in....
I was a devout shimano man. Admittedly the old 1000's and 1500's practically drove me to try daiwa. The airknots inherent in the spool and poorly designed spool lip kept costing me a fortune. Even under-loaded spools kept having the same probs.
I am trying daiwa certates and exists and i am comparing them to the newly designed spools of the shimano stella's and sustains. These are comparable by cost and both include the company's flagship models.
What this effectively do is give me a comparison which are better.
What i have found so far is the shimano's are wearing better with shielded bearings etc and are remaining smoother longer. The daiwas are smoother out of the box but the un-shielded bearings in the handle wear quick and create a grinding noise. Its a simple matter of replacing the bearing.
So if you are rough with your gear or use it everyday or get alot of salt spray on your gear maybe shimano is better for you. If you want super smmoth gearing and light reels daiwa is better, but is more prone to wear and tear.
So, basically choose where you fit in. All the other brands of spinning reels dont compare to the top end gear of the big 2. Okuma's, pfluegers, penns abu's etc are second rate gear aimed at those with a limited budget. No disrespect intended.
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Dont forget South Australias finest the Sea Martin
I was after a overhead and had trouble making my mind up, so I placed an order in for a Daiwa Saltist 40 with level wind, just new out.
I've had all sorts over the yrs and I look after my gear with kid gloves.
10 yrs ago Daiwa didn't have a reel that could compete even on today's market against cheap reels. No rocket science there. The best they had was the PS - BL series of which I still have two.
Thus far the only reels I've had die are Daiwa and simply because they don't go the distance. Cosmetics wise I could still sell them as new yet mechanically they are RS. I only fish freshwater these days & have been fishing for 38yrs.
I have a set of original Shimano Aero Stradics & Aero Baitrunners along with Chronarchs & a couple of the famous little BSS 2000 ULS’s. All these are still in pristine condition and have been USED heavily over the entire almost 20yrs I've had them & still as smooth as the day I got them. They’ve all caught more than their fair share of fish & had better than a good workout.
I also have TD Daiwa’s along with Shimano Antares 2’s {Jap/Yank S/W Calais} & MG 50’s. & out of these mentioned I would only recommend the Shimano MG-50.
I also have my old retired Mitchells, Shimanos & a few Vintage none of which get used with some never having been used.
Not a great deal of full time or busy anglers keep reels long enough to know what's good & what isn't.
Anglers purchase reels & other tackle on what their favourite personality says. These people are paid to say what they say.
If anyone wants to buy the best tackle for their style of fishing check out what your local guides or charter boat operators are using be it fresh or salt water. They’ll have tried the rest & now use the best.
The most honest advertising is by those who use for a livelihood.
Most other opinions are just opinions based on mainly looks or feel not performance.
SHIMANO for me based on toughness, longevity & performance...Older Reels.
Unfortunately we don't see any or very many of these Aero series reels for sale as those with them won't part with them. Another good indication of a good gutsy reel.
One other thing I don't personally like too much is the 8-14 BB's in some so small. Sacrifices have to be made to fit all the technology in when it isn't needed in the 1st place.
Daiwa for me..The recent generation of spinning reels are really good,IMO
Shimano for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well my first choice would be Shimano,however I've just had a look and bugger me...theres a Pflueger,Abu garcia??2 of those.well what d'ya know.The Trion is a nice lil reel.
Paulo