HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!
While realizing this is a (no, excuse me, that should be “THE”) rod building website, I would appreciate your feedback, suggestions, opinions on surf spinning reels. I have never surf-fished before but am in need of purchasing a reel prior to rebuilding this vintage Conolon FG rod. I am uncertain if I’ll be throwing “8 & bait” or jigs, but probably both while learning. A 3000 series seems the best for me, possible a 4000. Being the cheap bas*^#d I am, I would like to keep the cost under $100.00 but if finding a half-off sale, might spend $150.00. I realize I cannot expect the best materials/quality for that price, but one thing appreciated is a drag of 20+lbs. Whacha got?

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Raise your price limit. I do a lot of surf fishing in the NE. You don't want a cheap reel that you will be replacing in short time. Surf fishing will test your equipment limits. In your price range check out Fin nor reels, Penn spinfisher V reels, also check out some used fishing gear sites. Happy new year!

Often you find that a company's $100 reels are made with the same internal parts and pieces that the same company's $400 reels are made from. You don't have to spend a fortune, but I'd stay above the $75 price point regardless.

...........

I agree Tom the internal parts are important but if water is allowed to breach the body the internal parts are worthless. Weight is also important when you cast for hours with a long rod. I've used cheap reels and expensive reels. My expensive reels(VS) are years old and have been laid in sand and submerged and they work as good as the day I bought them. My favorite low cost surf reel is the Penn spinfisher V. It has some weight to it but its size coupled with its water resistant body make it a great deal...IMO.

Mark, don't cheep out , hate to lose that big striper on a cheep reel . happy new year , start the year off right.

Another thing, a size 3000 reel is very small for a surf reel, and a 4000 is pushing the lower end. A very long cast will almost drain these reels of line. Do not know what the length or rating is for your rod, the conditions you are going to fish, or the species being targeted. If you will be throwing 8 oz+ with other fishermen around I would seriously consider a larger reel, at least a 5000. However, if you are fishing light surf condition, with lighter lures for smaller speciers a smaller reel is ok. Most of the major manufacturers make a decent reel in the $100 - $150 reel. Penn has been making saltwater reels for a long time and they are used by a lot surf fishermen.
Norm

Check out the New TSUNAMI SHIELD.

Dennis J. Danku
(Sayreville,NJ)

Dennis, I saw an ad for that reel. Have you held one yet? Curious if it's heavy in the hand. I hope to check one out soon.

I agree with Norman. For bait casting 6-8oz lead use a 4000 or 5000 size reel. A popular reel for that application in my neck of the woods is the Penn 704z or 706. It's a bit heavy and has a very large spool but very tough and very easy to work on.

Do yourself a favor and buy a decent quality reel with adequate line capacity. The size reels you are talking about are way too small for surfcasting. They are "inshore" reels.

Tackle direct has the Daiwa Emblem Pro on sale right now. $129 for a reel that is considered a good buy at 200. They are a popular choice for surf casting.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Check out the Shimano Spheros SW in 5000 to 8000 in size depending on needs.I bought a barely used demo 5000 for a good price and it is perfect for surf fishing. It holds about 275 yards of 14 fire line fuse braid on it and appropriate lb shock leader. I have used up to 7 and bait with no issues but I also use and recommend with any spinning reel casting heavy weight is the breakaway canon casting aid. The older moldel of Spheros the FA and FB have also been reliable and can be had for a good price but if you can find a deal on the sw for a little bit more I would highly recommend it.

I have recently bought a Penn 704 Z on @#$%& for $125. It was not new, but my other 704 is over 30 years old and still performs like new. I expect this one to do the same. At least I know that I can wade into the surf, make a long cast, walk back up to my sand spike, and have confidence that I still have plenty of line on my reel in reserve.

Russell Brunt Wrote:
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> Tackle direct has the Daiwa Emblem Pro on sale right now. $129 for a reel that is considered a
> good buy at 200. They are a popular choice for surf casting.

The Emblem Pro WAS considered an entry level spinning reel for tournament casting. I have not kept up with current models.
When the Emblem Pro was not available, the Daiwa Emcast was used. The Emcast meets your first target price.

Do not buy a reel with a long spool as the axel/spindles tend to bend under heavy load.

Both the Emblem Pro and Emcast should have parts available and they are reels with a long track record. The Emblem Pro was the preferred reel.

Also, when you have sizes like 4000, 4500, 5000, 5500, 6000, two of the same sizes may use the same reel body. You might be able to to buy a 5500 reel and spare spool for a 6000 that fits the 5500 reel. Use the 5500 for braid and the 6000 spool when you need extra capacity for mono. You can minimize weight by using the smallest reel body that gets the job done. You will probably need to talk with your tackle shop to determine what matches up.

Should you desire to cast heavier weights, your reel seat should be up locking.

Hope this helps,
Don

Don Becker

All excellent information from you guys as I have become reliant upon. I will probably end up with the Penn SSV6500 but considering the Daiwa Emblem Pro as well. $129.00 seems like a good deal for the Daiwa and I love my Saltist 2-speed. Thanks, Russell.
Donald, good advice concerning up-locking reel seats for casting heavy weight. I typically build seats down-locking on light, fresh water rods to avoid hand contact with the threads. Your point is correct and understood. Now all I need to do is use my Habitual-Over-Thinking to come up with a hidden thread, up-locking grip!!!!!!
Thanks again to all.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

I’m guessing the30lbs of drag of either the Penn or Daiwa would be sufficient to yank a surfer off his board, right?

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

If you are going to use a hidden thread reel seat it does not make a lot difference if up locking or down locking. I like down locking because there's less of a problem with loosening the hood, thus reel, when casting. However, if you want to use the Breakaway cannon casting aid then you want to have an uplocking reel seat.
Norm

If you are going to be throwing 8 and bait on a spinning reel get a glove. If you will be using braid really get a glove. Are you set on a spinning reel?

Norman and Jon,
I was kidding about an up-locking seat with hidden threads. I figured attempting to employ some sort of mechanically locking rear grip would involve more thinking than even my Habitual-Over-Thinking brain was worth employing. I am fairly set on using a spinning reel.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

A split grip up locking is used by a lot of bass fishermen. So can be done, if you can find a hidden hood for larger size reel seats, which I have not seen.
Norm

Micheal, No I have not. They are so new only the the big box sites have them online. But, there is a lot of interest in these reel due to their price and the fact that they are sealed to keep sand out of the gearcase.

Dennis J. Danku
(Sayreville,NJ)