Quality Reel

[sharkman]

Opinions, what makes a good reel? Quality parts, sustainability to keep running, technology advancements, drag power, ease to service, or is it a compromise?

I will admit when I first started I feel victim to the shiny syndrome. Then as the shine wore off and I started having to fix the reels my views changed. Now my goal is to own reels that will last under heavy demands of fishing.

[Cor]

Define "good"?
In my case, I require of a reel:-
1.   Minimum 40" per handle turn retrieve rate
2.   Preferably Magnetic cast control
3.   Minimum 200mt 0.55mm mono
4.   Good casting ability
5.   Smooth operation
6.   Depending upon which application, Drag may not be critical to me
7.   Durability

so if the reel fits the bill, does it well and lasts, then its a great reel.

Perhaps I should have added "low maintenance" as well

[alantani]

being able to service it yourself!

[dogtagger]

For me, reels need to be simple, durable and have parts available. I don't care what color they are, but I don't own any expensive reels. I like the star drag reels that have a unified type of construction. Makes maintenance easy. I just got done going through one of my Penn 115s and it took me several tries to get the thing back together with that silly dog-dog spring arrangement, ugh. I have also found that the Penn International IIs are fairly easy to work on and are very well built.

My shark reels are mostly modified Penn Senators, bottom fishing reels mostly a mix of Penn Jigmasters, Shimano TLD Stars and a couple of Fin-Nor OFCs. My tuna rigs have older Penn Internationals on them.

[oc1]

Reels that just chug along and do not need servicing or upgrades or advice from Alan Tani to perform properly.
-steve

[Dominick]

Reels that just chug along and do not need servicing or upgrades or advice from Alan Tani to perform properly.
-steve

Troglodyte, that's blasphemous on this site.     Too bad that the inquisition is over.  Dominick

[oc1]

I should have included that they never need to be cleaned or the salt washed off either.
-steve

[Bill B]

For me robust construction, parts availability, and ease of care are in my top needs for a quality reel. Very few manufacturers can claim these attributes.  Try finding parts for a spinning reel that you just spent $1K on and you will see what I mean, but parts for the lowly Jigmaster you bought at a garage sale for $5 are unlimited. For me I would take a Penn Senator or Special Senator every day over the "newest, latest and greatest" reel.

Bill

[foakes]

Being able to service it yourself - Alan

For me robust construction, parts availability, and ease of care are in my top needs for a quality reel. Very few manufacturers can claim these attributes.  Try finding parts for a spinning reel that you just spent $1K on and you will see what I mean, but parts for the lowly Jigmaster you bought at a garage sale for $5 are unlimited. For me I would take a Penn Senator or Special Senator every day over the "newest, latest and greatest" reel.

Bill

At least for me -- you guys nailed it...

Best Always,

Fred

[Maxed Out]

I should have included that they never need to be cleaned or the salt washed off either.
-steve

Steve, the reel you describe is also known as a "closet queen" . No service or cleaning required ...my guess is you own such a reel

  -ted

[Reinaard van der Vossen]

What makes a reel good?

capcity of 3 miles of 200# line
150# of drag at freespool with wide smooth drag range
weigh less than 10 ounces
made of platinum

Oh, and at a price that I will be able to tell the Ms that I bought it

Easy

[David Hall]

What makes a reel good?

capcity of 3 miles of 200# line
150# of drag at freespool with wide smooth drag range
weigh less than 10 ounces
made of platinum

Oh, and at a price that I will be able to tell the Ms that I bought it

Easy

Just guessing but I'm going to say you don't have one of these?

[sharkman]

Thanks everyone. I would have to agree with ease to work on and abundance of parts. Seems like older reels meet these more than new reels. The area I having problems is in a 200-2500 size reel that can stand the rigors of surf fishing.

[mley1]

My favorites are Swedish made Abu's, and USA made Penn's. I've been using Abu's since I was a boy. I've only started working on them myself the past few years. I found that they were easy to work on, and parts were easy to get. I'm finding the same is true for the Penn's. The only other brand I fish with is Daiwa, and that's only been the past 6mos or so. I like them so far. Time will tell on them.

To answer your question better for me though, I'd have to say the best reel for me is one I find at a yard sale, in a pawn shop, or snag on that evil auction site, for cheap. You know, a diamond in the rough, one you can repair or upgrade, and make a fantastic reel out of it. That's the best for me. Then, it has a part of you in it. You'll know that when you reel in a fish with it, it's because you took part in fixing that reel. Here lately, that's what's been making me happy. I love that feeling. And, I plan to keep on doing it.

[Reinaard van der Vossen]

What makes a reel good?

capcity of 3 miles of 200# line
150# of drag at freespool with wide smooth drag range
weigh less than 10 ounces
made of platinum

Oh, and at a price that I will be able to tell the Ms that I bought it

Easy

Nope, and I don't think they exist either

The TS has made no indication what he was looking for so everybody can make impossible dream wish claims of what is good. With 10 Oz my dreamwish is good for everthing from small snappers to big granders

Just guessing but I'm going to say you don't have one of these?