Penn Battle II or Penn Fierce in 2500.

 

I've got a Symetre 4000 FI I am selling for 50 dollars. Like new condition.

 

Penn Battle II

Penn Battle II in the 2500 model - $100.

The 2000 model will work if you need something half an ounce lighter.

 

I have had good luck with the Penn Fierce 2000 and 2500. Great little reels. I have paid anywhere from $39-59 for them.

Lately I have been moving to the Lew's T-300, another great little reel and a little lighter than the Penn. $80. Super good little reels for the money.

 

I'm a big fan of my Daiwa Ballistic EX. You can find them in your price range on EBAY.

 

Bass pro had Shimano Ci4 on sale for $165. Normally $230 and my favorite reel currently!

 

Dang, I must've missed out bcuz it doesn't show that sale on their website

 

I've been very happy with Shimano Stradic 2500's for Specs and Reds. Here's one only $10 over your budget. Shimano ST2500HGFK Stradic 2500 Spin Reel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011A4IAXS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_YIRMxb784P0DP

 

I've been extremely happy with my Stradic 2500. Held up really well. Have to say though for $30 you can get a Shimano sienna, which in my opinion is just as good as their $80 class reels. It's not as smooth as my Stradic but for $30 you can't beat it.

I do keep hearing a lot of good about the penn battle II

 

I picked up a new penn conflict 2500 (similar line capacity as a shimano 3000) off amazon for $97 and have been very happy with it. The conflict is a step up from the battles which are very good reels also. They are heavier than their shimano equivalents but that's because they have aluminum bodies. You won't get an aluminum body in the shimano line until you drop the money for a stradic which I think is worth it if you have it to spend.

If you want to save some money the conflict will work well. I went out with LG Boyd a month ago and we almost limited out on trout and he put us on a huge school of redfish. We stayed on them for an hour or so and put that conflict to the test with all 5 or 6 of mine over 28". After those redfish I'm confident that reel could handle a much bigger fish.

I've caught reds on my sienna 2500 and it handle them but I could feel the reel foot flexing under the pressure. That just makes me wonder how long it will last.


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x2 on the Shimano Stradic HG

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-Stradic-2500HG-Spinning-Reel-6-0-1-Model-ST-2500HGFK-2500-HG-FK/151764395683?_trksid=p2141725.c100338.m3726&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20150313114020%26meid%3D74feb4bdcb514ecca2a7ff7bdda47d48%26pid%3D100338%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D26%26mehot%3Dag%26sd%3D182183545956

 

another vote for shimano stradic HG.

 

I picked up a H20 Express Recon... it has been drowned for 4 days in flood water.. clean it up and it hasn't failed yet. got it to just try it out but it is becoming a favorite quickly... pulled this red in no problem with 12lb mono

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h2o-xpress-recon-66-spinning-rod-and-reel-combo

:texasflag

 

Another Penn Battle II vote. I have 3 in various sizes. They take a lickin and keep on tickin. Very forgiving reel.

 

Pen Battle II 3000 is good for trout and reds.

 

Penn Battle II 3000 is the classic style and size for trout and reds. Use 2500 if you like a slightly smaller reel. I recently bought the PB II 1000 for ultralight kicks with bass.

 

I use Shimano Sahara 3000's

I do not like the line capacity of the 2500. You get 1 little wind knot and your spool is half gone in a 2500. The drag system is stronger on a 3000 to deal with bigger fish and it will last longer.

There is no difference in weight that you can physically tell by holding them. A few ounces is nothing.

Trust me go with the 3000 and put some 20 lb braid on it.

 

penn fierce, battle, or conflict.

I use the 2500 size, and they have handled anything caught in the bays, up to 35+" reds. they will put out over 10lbs of drag, and combined with 20lb braid, it's plenty of reel.

true comment regarding wind knots... I actually carry a 1500 yard spool of line in my boat now, because of that situation.

 

This

 

Shimano Stradic FK is the best spinning reel under $200 if you ask me. If you want to spend a little less look for a Stradic FJ on eBay. Penn Battle II is good, but not near as smooth as a Stradic imho.

 

:texasflag

For over 10 years after i sold my SHIMANO STRADIC 4000 ,because after one season of fishing in saltwater start to don't work o.k. i was fishing and catch a lot of nice fish with that old DAIWA WHISKER SS TOURNAMENT 1300,and i never change with another reel the same price category(around $100)

 

He's Back... we missed ya...them Daiwa are great reels too...

 

honestly love the Shimano Stradic Ci-4 line. I've waylayed a good #
of large fish on my 4000 model, including a 24# striper in flood current, some small sharks, & a bunch of jacks, including a 20#er that actually damaged the reel.
this actually was a good thing. got online & found a guy that provides a bearing kit
that replaces the bushings in the main & crosswind asm's & solves the problem, making my little reel almost Stella-smooth.
fish a 3000 on an old allstar blank that I refuse to retire for bay work.
also fish a 1000 for vertical crappie & winter rainbow trout.
5 years on all of them, fishing daily in some instances with the bushing issue in the 4000 being the only snafu. Drags are strong, smooth & don't fade.
wash them after use, they are not a SW-rated reel.
ohterwise, a super lightweight kickass reel for the $$, IMO

 

Shimano Sahara

 

Battle seems tougher than Sahara to me, not as smooth though. I took a friend fishing yesterday and he landed a 33" red using a Battle 2500 no problem.


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Shimano Sedona 2500 FD. Reel is 5 bearing, priced around $59 and you can find it on sale, plenty of capacity and drag for the inshore species.

 

Penn Battle.

My guests can't break them and they could break an anvil.