which spinning reel

[daveonawave]

I have asked this question before and didn't get much of a response (thanks to those who did).

Next spring summer I intend to do a bit of rock hopping around the gower armmed with a spinning rod reel and a few plugs/spinners in search of bass. I have the rod but need a decent reel; dont laugh but I have a shakespear Kronus at the mo. Christmas is comming and I dont know what to ask the bearded one for.

Im looking to spend about £40 and I dont mind second hand. It will need to be small enough to work all day, stong enough to land the whopper I'm sure to get and ideally will work well with braid. So any suggestions? I have thought about the Captiva CLL4000. Also what is the advantage of a baitrunner? (what is a bait runner? )

Many thanks in advance.

[terry f.]

Hi bud.
A baitrunner is a reel that allows the reel to be in "freespool" mode when the bale arm is engaged.
It is used when carp or pike fishing to allow a fish to pick up the bait but not feel any resistance and therefore is not a necessary feature on a spinning reel.
Hope this helps bud.

[lewis888]

Shimano exage is a nice reel, either 2500 or 4000 and I think both are available as front or rear drag. The shimano stradic is a beautiful reel, I use a 2500 and it's imo the perfect spinning reel! But it ain't cheap at about £70, don't know how much they'd go for 2nd hand. If I had the money to spare I'd get a 4000 aswell

[terry f.]

I have a stradic 4000 for lure fishing for pike,,,,,,stands up to big fish no problem.
Only used it at sea once,, the salt spray took a bit of the gold colouring from the back plate,,,,only cosmetic but I`m not sure it was designed with salt water in mind.

[daveonawave]

Shimano exage is a nice reel, either 2500 or 4000 and I think both are available as front or rear drag. The shimano stradic is a beautiful reel, I use a 2500 and it's imo the perfect spinning reel! But it ain't cheap at about £70, don't know how much they'd go for 2nd hand. If I had the money to spare I'd get a 4000 aswell

I can pick up a SHIMANO EXAGE 4000RA on ebay for less than £40 New. Its the Ra bit thats confussing me, what does it stand for and do you think its a good buy?

[Steinbeisser]

I can pick up a SHIMANO EXAGE 4000RA on ebay for less than £40 New. Its the Ra bit thats confusing me, what does it stand for and do you think its a good buy?

The RA bit means it is a Rear Drag. if it has FA or FB or F something else then it is a Front Drag. A, B , etc. just differentiate newer models or perhaps models originating from USA or Japan.

Not sure about prices in UK eBay. In Hamburg area I see this reel €48 (mail order) to €60 (Bricks & Mortar shop).

I think Shimano (like a load of other manufacturers) have, or will be, bringing out new models about now, for 2007. Therefore, you should be able to find cheaper deals on the 2006 model if it is being replaced. Possibly a good idea also, as I was advised to avoid new model Shimano reels for the first 6 months due to possible design problems, which are rectified after this time.

I have some Stradic Reels and they are nice but there are also very good deals around on the TwinPower in rear drag and these are supposed to be very smooth. Don't know how much second hand Stradics go for though - sorry.

Steinbeisser

[steve w]

I've used Shimano fixed spools for all my coarse fishing, lure fishing and light bass fishing for the past 12 years with absolutely no problems at all.

[Pugs]

I need a new reel to, after my Okuma is starting to give up. Thinking about this model

Shimano Stradic 4000GTM-RB 2007 model.

found here

[terry f.]

I have the older model stradic 4000.
Smooth as silk and casts like a dream bud. A very well engineered piece of kit but as I mentioned in a previous post,,,,needs to be given a good clean after EVERY saltwater trip,,,,like any quality reel.
It has handled pike to 19lb with ease.

[blankerman]

you could try some of the better okumas.i have a few inspiras,and although i have'nt used them for sea fishing,they do have ss bearings and are very smooth.try getting them from abroad as you can save a lot of money.my 4000 and 5000 sizes were £32 inc postage