Opinion: Best SW spinning reel less than $300?

[DonJose]

Looking for recommendations for saltwater spinning reel in the 8k to 10k size range. I use my reels hard & travel. Stripers & blues to tarpon, rooster fish & grouper.

Reel will be used for jigging & popping. Would love a Stella but not willing to pay $1,100. Would like to stay around $300 but willing to go higher.

[AVA67]

Shimano Saragosa SW

[Garone Custom Rods]

I haven't used one yet but played with them a bunch and the Saragossa SW seems like a great reel for the money. Very positive reviews by those who have used them. If you want a higher retrieve go with the 10k for lower speed the 8k.

[Capt. Lou]

Buddy has Penns , they seem to hold up real well ! I personaaly use Saragosa's & have the tens several years now new drags installed a few years back , no issues on small tuna to 150 #'s & variety of other fish including cod / pollock !
Ive grown to prefer spinning for deep water jigging on occassion! :cool:

[JerseyCoast]

Cant go wrong with Penn Battle ( may be a lil heavy), Saragossa or Canyon Reels Spinner in the new sizes. Having a sealed drag, to prevent most water from getting into it s big plus when your talking about some of the fishing you mentioned. :)

Penn is about $130 ish... Canyon is $225 ish, The Gosa is around your limit I believe, without checking for sure.

[DeniseNCC1701]

I second the Penn Battle. I have both the 4000 and 6000. Love the spare spool so I swap out mono/braid in a snap.

Denise

[Arbutis]

Gossa and Battle. Can't go wrong. For even lower cost, Okuma makes some really nice spinners.

[JerseyCoast]

Gossa and Battle. Can't go wrong. For even lower cost, Okuma makes some really nice spinners.

I forgot about the Okuma Raw.... thats another reel that will take the abuse!!!

[SaltLife1980]

Canyon

[makokeith]

I've had two battles go bad on me. Nice reels but the geers suck. No more penns for me. Picked up a saragusa sw at somerset and it seems very nice. Getting real good reviews.

[howardrf]

I love my Quantum Cabo........smoooooth.

[JerseyCoast]

I've had two battles go bad on me. Nice reels but the geers suck. No more penns for me. Picked up a saragusa sw at somerset and it seems very nice. Getting real good reviews.

2?? dam..... out of all that we have sold, I have 1 come back and it looked like it was 10 years old and was only purchased a month prior. ( lil abuse )

Thats interesting to hear. The Gossa is a great little reel, but its more than the Battle too.... different class.

What size Battle?? I like to keep up on this stuff for my customers.

[SplitShot]

Been using the Battle 5000 for Snag/drop the last 2 summers and no problems so far.... also have the battle 3000 for light bucktailing and its been a trooper too..... like everything you buy these days, you hope the one you bought won't have any problems...

Also have the New Cabo 50 which I use for throwing plugs for bass on the boat... really sweet how light they made that compared to the older model which was a real workhorse.

95% of my saltwater fishing are for bass and fluke

[Fin Reaper]

Had a Stella, very nice but IMHO performance fell short of the price. Chief complaints were bail didn't want to trip by turning handle and knuckles got hit by bail...probably just operator error but oh well. Used an older model Penn Slammer 460 that I got NIB on clearance for $45.00!...GREAT reel but a bit heavy. Latest and greatest is my Shimano Saragossa SW, best of everything.

[TAB95]

I love my Quantum Cabo........smoooooth.

X 2
Unbeatable drag.

[makokeith]

2?? dam..... out of all that we have sold, I have 1 come back and it looked like it was 10 years old and was only purchased a month prior. ( lil abuse )

Thats interesting to hear. The Gossa is a great little reel, but its more than the Battle too.... different class.

What size Battle?? I like to keep up on this stuff for my customers.

4000. Same gear both times. My friends is going also. Easy fix but sucks you can't upgrade to a better gear. I will fix them and keep using them but I won't buy anymore.

[Ryelof]

I went fishing last year with Don from Canyon on a sea bass trip, Don switched to a small set up with a 4000 on about a 5 ft. rod and hooked a fish. He stood there and fought the fish.....it turned out to be a 12 lb. bluefish........I was impressed. I am waiting for the 5000 series to be available.