Island Style Posted September 21, 2021 Report Share Posted September 21, 2021 Have been fishing the Shimano Saros and Sustains for awhile but they don't seem like they are holding up. My buddy is trying to get me into Daiwa, i think the Saltist MQ? looking in the 3-4k size reel. wondering what you guys are using and how it is holding up? thanks JD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmanjj Posted September 21, 2021 Report Share Posted September 21, 2021 Shimano Stradic in both 2500 and 4000 works fine for me. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernWake Posted September 21, 2021 Report Share Posted September 21, 2021 I use Daiwa BG reels and noticed many others switching that way as well. here is my reasoning: they seem to be at a great point on the value scale, it is a great reel at the $100ish range non mag sealed means you are able to service yourself or have a local shop do it without sending it in. all I do is spray them off after a trip and do minimal maintenance, just replace when they get rough and keep the old for spare parts. (I will not let anyone fish a reel with a bad bearing or grimey retrieve as it drives me mad) I have had them dropped and thrown over, fished with locked down drag for structure and generally beat the snot out of them, they hold up well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Dave Posted September 22, 2021 Report Share Posted September 22, 2021 The last 5 reels I've purchased have been Daiwa's. The BG MQ, the Saltist Back Bay, and the new Saltist MQ are fantastic reels. The Saltist MQ was the ICAST "Best Saltwater Reel" winner earlier this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jh141 Posted September 22, 2021 Report Share Posted September 22, 2021 Penn Battles for all the same reasons as SouthernWake states above. I have 2500, 3000, 4000 and 6000's They play very well with brad line, are smooth and durable. I grew up using Daiwa BG reels. My FAV was a BG 10 with 6 # mono on an 8 ft. Custom Biscayne Rod. Would cast a mile, perfect for WW Bay. That was way before Braded line. Can not remember why I moved to Penn but they are both Great for the Money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jh141 Posted September 22, 2021 Report Share Posted September 22, 2021 I ask for a Dawia Saltist MQ 3000 for Christmas, kind of mixed emotions as to if I get it,... It may ruin me,,,, I will not be satisfied with my Penn Battles anymore, LOL 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bamaskeet Posted September 22, 2021 Report Share Posted September 22, 2021 I’m with fishmanjj, I’ve had great luck with Shimano Stradics. Diawa makes some good reels but spare parts can be a problem. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE OUTLAW Posted September 22, 2021 Report Share Posted September 22, 2021 My homies are switching to the new Van fort reels. A little too pricey for me . I use the Quantum Smoke 3 reels in the 1500&2500 size . Slaps meat , on the deck daily . 🇺🇸🏴☠️ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernWake Posted September 22, 2021 Report Share Posted September 22, 2021 2 hours ago, Bamaskeet said: I’m with fishmanjj, I’ve had great luck with Shimano Stradics. Diawa makes some good reels but spare parts can be a problem. I went to daiwa as I had issues with my shimanos holding up (mainly bearings). I did love my old wood handle stradics. spare parts have always been an easy call and order from daiwa when needed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuddyBottomBluz Posted September 22, 2021 Report Share Posted September 22, 2021 Shimano (Stradic) moved operations out of Alabama and sent it over sea's to Taiwan or Korea, years ago. The white reels, what were they FH's were the last ones built in Alabama and parts for those are hard to come by because when they moved operations they went with all new tooling. This is what was explained to me by my rod & reel repairman. Maybe quality decreased a little as well? I have heard nothing but good things about the Quantum Smokes from buddies who fish HARD! Diawa has stepped up there game but I recently bought a 5000 BG and have a few issues with the bail no locking properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuddyBottomBluz Posted September 22, 2021 Report Share Posted September 22, 2021 Correction, made in Malaysia. Check this site out and look at his blog link. Some of you might know him, if not then read his reviews of new reels. Pretty insightful. https://www.alanhawk.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunstone Posted September 22, 2021 Report Share Posted September 22, 2021 16 hours ago, SouthernWake said: I use Daiwa BG reels and noticed many others switching that way as well. here is my reasoning: they seem to be at a great point on the value scale, it is a great reel at the $100ish range non mag sealed means you are able to service yourself or have a local shop do it without sending it in. all I do is spray them off after a trip and do minimal maintenance, just replace when they get rough and keep the old for spare parts. (I will not let anyone fish a reel with a bad bearing or grimey retrieve as it drives me mad) I have had them dropped and thrown over, fished with locked down drag for structure and generally beat the snot out of them, they hold up well. I bought 2 BG reels on the advice from Islamarado tackle shop, said all the guides are using them. That was in 2017 and have since purchased 3 more and all have held up great. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief5130 Posted September 23, 2021 Report Share Posted September 23, 2021 I am not happy with the newer Shimanos. I have a couple of CI4's that have been disappointing. I have some Penn Battles that are tough little reels and I have had few issues and parts are available if needed. I just bought a DAIWA PROCYON AL SERIES. It is my first Daiwa reel in my 50+ years of fishing, so far very happy. I have also heard good thing about the Quantum Smoke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limitless Posted September 23, 2021 Report Share Posted September 23, 2021 I've started using Florida businesses products the past few years and really like the Florida Fishing Products Osprey reels and their carbon model. I've also picked up a couple Bull Bay rods and I'm very pleased with them as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanaflatsfish Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 I was shimano for many years...all makes and models... Now, they lasted for a good 10 years....but, I decided I wanted match rods and reels... about 3 years I went with the penn battles and st croix avid rods....all the same...battles 2500 I find that this is the most important aspect...each rod and reel combo feels the same in your hands...I bought extra spools and spool with 10 lb suffix 832 and 15 lb 832... each time you pick it up it casts the same in your hands vs a different weight of the rod and reel combo..... I have 4 rods and 4 reels....normally 3 go on the skiff per trip....1 popping cork, 2 others with artificial.... But, I only fish with one at a time unless of course I have the "chunk" rod out dc 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Jazzy Posted September 26, 2021 Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 On 9/23/2021 at 10:06 AM, Limitless said: I've started using Florida businesses products the past few years and really like the Florida Fishing Products Osprey reels and their carbon model. I've also picked up a couple Bull Bay rods and I'm very pleased with them as well. I’ve used Stadic Ci4’s for the past 5-6 years and loved them but unfortunately they are not sealed very well. Had to keep replacing bearings they were rusted and anti reverse mechanisms that kept failing. I swapped them out for the FFP Carbon’s and so far I’m extremely pleased with them. Very well made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Island Style Posted September 27, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2021 well going to pull the trigger on 2 Dawia Saltist 3000. give them a shot and sell a few of these shimano's! seems like all the local shops have the same price so will report back after a weekend of fishing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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