Re: Inshore spinning setups....
 

I've been running the Tsunami Shield on my surf casting rod for 2-3 seasons now and its held up great for a $100 reel, and I definitely haven't treated it all too well :D

Re: Inshore spinning setups....
 

What kind of failures are you seeing on the BG? Thanks.

Re: Inshore spinning setups....
 

Mostly harsh grinding and difficulty turning the handle to the point of seizure.

I use my gear to the point of abuse, but I also rinse and grease multiple times a season. That said, I've had a BG4000 crap out on me catching stripers to 30ish inches during a spring run bite in the back bay. Not cool.

I've had friends using BGs standing right next to me and after a few nice fish, I could hear them grinding. Same deal. Striper fishing. Back bay. Spring run.

We weren't taking waves or anything like that, or dropping them on rocks. Just launching plugs and gliders and having the reels crap out after fish that weren't big.

On the flip side, I switched to a spinfisher 4500 bailless and sheared the pinion bearing fighting an epic beast that eventually won. Penn immediately replaced the reel within a week. The newer reel has held up, but I haven't exerted the same kinda pressure on it yet unfortunately.

I'm a huge daiwa guy. I've opted to go the ballistic route since the BG failure. I have them from 1000 to 4000 sized; 3 of which are 2500s--one ex and 2 LTs. The ex has been serviced once and has since performed flawlessly. The LTs get rinsed and greased and havent had a single issue yet... used from sweetwater trouting, walleye, hybrids and smallmouth to back bay fluking, winter flounder, schoolie bass and blues, albies and tog and mahi to 20+ lbs. None have "failed" like the BG.

Moral of the story, if it's in your budget, opt for the better quality reel. You get what you pay for.

Re: Inshore spinning setups....
 

Another vote for the Ballistic. I know a few guys using them for Tog and Stripers and they hold up well. They have a few advantages over the BG, they are mag sealed so the internals are better protected and are composite not metal so they are lighter and not as prone to pitting.

If you're going to be using these set ups more for finesse fishing I would go with the Ballistic since the lighter weight is key. This would be especially true jigging for tog where lightweight set up allows you to feel the little ticks better.

I think the BG will serve your general needs as well but there's nothing like the feel of a lighter weigh outfit even when not finesse fishing. Much less fatigue if you plan to be casting and jigging all day too.

If your set on a lightweight rod I would put them both on the rod to see the difference of how they balance on the rod and feel on your wrist.

Re: Inshore spinning setups....
 

Few things I’m learning from the info on this thread…….

1) I buy all high quality stuff…….which I don’t

2) I take really good care of my stuff…..which I don’t

3) I do regular yearly maintenance……which I don’t

Bottom line is I don’t fish enough and I don’t catch shit. Only reason I don’t see the failures you guys are seeing :D

Re: Inshore spinning setups....
 

Well then given all this new information this might be right up your alley :D

Re: Inshore spinning setups....
 

😱