There are quite a few offerings out there for under 100.00. I am thinking of sticking something that is lightweight, decent quality and braid friendly on a 9ft. rod just for plugging. What have you liked amongst these: Shimano Spheros, Okuma Epixor (and other models), Diawa BG and others (emcast, etc), Cabelas Salt Striker (anyone ever try these??) or anything else that comes to mind. How big a spool do you pluggers recommend? My reels are pretty big and I love them for throwing bait, but I think, for plugging, I can get away with something smaller and lighter. Thanks!

I vote for Shimano Spheros, I have a few 5000's and an 8000. Nice reels for the money, even seem to hold up better than the more expensive Stradic.

I think the Cabelas Salt Striker old model was an Okuma Epixior and the new Salt Striker is a Pfluger Presidental model. I think if you went up to $135 you could get a really nice Daiwa Emblem Pro. The Emcast Pro is one that I have considered as a cheaper alternative to the Daiwa Emblem Pro, but think that saving some more might be worth it to get the better reel. The Spheros 8000 would be my next choice.

Shimano Spheros. It's built for saltwater.

Unless the 704 comes back and returns to an under $100 price tag the Spheros is quite possibly the king in this price range.

I'll go so far to say it will not only outlast a more expensive Stradic but also the $300 Sustain in a surf fishing enviroment. You can't treat it like a Van Staal, but with just a little care you'll get quite a few seasons out of it.

For a 9 footer, if it's a fairly heavy rod, look at the 8000. The 6000 and 5000 aren't much lighter and all you'll really lose is line capacity.

Spheros 6000 or find a used 704 with manual bail

Buy a nice used 704z and convert it to bailless

Spheros.. get the 8000...keep a bottle of water with ya and rinse it before you put it away... I kept a 6000 with me all of last season and never once had an issuse, 2 regrets yes but never an issue... regret i didn't pick up a spheros earlier and that i didn't get the 8000...

Spheros 8000 :btu:. If it were me I would spend a few more bucks & get a Boca PTs60.

Daiwa Tournament SS2600
13oz.
Great line capacity and drag.Long cast spool design.
Fine with braid.
$99, give or take a few $$
I have 6 of them:btu:

Spheros.. get the 8000...keep a bottle of water with ya and rinse it before you put it away... I kept a 6000 with me all of last season and never once had an issuse, 2 regrets yes but never an issue... regret i didn't pick up a spheros earlier and that i didn't get the 8000...
Is there a big difference besides capacity? My 6000 holds over 200 yds of 30# stealth.

Daiwa Black Gold BG30 is $80 is a good bet for under 100.

Is there a big difference besides capacity? My 6000 holds over 200 yds of 30# stealth.

well when ya think about it...
Spheros 6000 Weight 20.5oz Capacity Mono 10lb/300yds

Spheros 8000 Weight 19.8oz Capacity Mono 10lb/390yds

Diawa ss2600, it is light holds more than enough line, has a great drag and handles braid great. I have been using them for years.

I've an original 1st year Spheros 8000.Flawless to this day.Best reel on the market for its price.

Shimano Spheros 8000. Hands down my pick.:humpty:

Penn 710/710z w/ 14 or 20# fireline. You can buy 3 of these under $100.

Spheros 8000 & Daiwa ss2600 would be my other choices.

Okuma Salina, It's new but at the trade show it was one of only a few item's new that really stood out. Lami SSU being another.
Time will tell.

It's possible that the 6000 and 8000 Spheros are the same reel body and the spool is drilled further for more line capacity. Thus, interchangeable spools between the 6000 and the 8000.

I know my Stradic 4000 and 5000 are made this way and the spools are also interchangeable .

It's possible that the 6000 and 8000 Spheros are the same reel body and the spool is drilled further for more line capacity. Thus, interchangeable spools between the 6000 and the 8000.

I know my Stradic 4000 and 5000 are made this way and the spools are also interchangeable .

I heard the same thing a while back... been too lazy to check.. but i don't want to buy another freaking reel.... although a backup spool would be nice... going to find out this week if the 8000 spool will fit on the 6000 body...

Okuma Salina, It's new but at the trade show it was one of only a few item's new that really stood out. Lami SSU being another.
Time will tell.

I wouldn't spend another freaking penny with Okuma but that is just me and my experience with Okuma... for a little more $$ get a reel that the a company will stand behind.... Okuma told me 6 months after the release of the Inspira IA that for my reel to be covered by the warranty i needed to have a "dated" reciept to prove it was less then 1 year old.... :rtfm:
BTW the mainshaft is weak on the Inspira and VS line... the bearings will have surface rust on them so you need to keep on the maintenance for atleast the first season or you will need to replace the bearings due to gouging.... the Anti-Reverse is made of plastic and metal oneway roller bearing... something to keep in mind when lubing... any lube and its bye bye anti-reverse... Okuma made a statement with it's inital release of certain reels.. but IMHO they have gone to the chitter...

shimano spheros all the way. i have the 4000 for schoolie time, 6000for a 9 foot rod, and 8000 for a 10 foot rod. the weight of the 6000 and 8000 is practically the same. however the extra line capacity does make a big difference. i ran into a few issues last season with the 6000 line capacity.

i previously owned a penn slammer. spheros has proven to be more durable so far. and i'm a frequent reel dunker.

imo, you can't go wrong with the spheros for the price.

[QUOTE=the_shocker;456161] i ran into a few issues last season with the 6000 line capacity.[QUOTE]

yeah......those were some issues:jump:

Thanks all, great food for thought!
...much appreciated. Now where are tha damn fish!!!

Think March.... then it is a shorter wait... for now... think cleaning gear, replace/sharpen hooks... sort plugs... make leaders...

It's possible that the 6000 and 8000 Spheros are the same reel body and the spool is drilled further for more line capacity. Thus, interchangeable spools between the 6000 and the 8000.



:humpty: ;)

go fleabay and get yourself a used penn z series or spin fisher. figure out what size you want. 710z, 704z, 650, 750, etc and buy for under 100.

don't count out the tica libra 4000. it is a great reel for the price

Of course, If your thinking about plugging with a conventional, you cannot go wrong with an abu 6500C3 out of the box.

Spheros 8000 like many others have said. This real can take a beating. I wouldn't even think of getting a stradic for the surf after seeing all the work redlite would have to do to his every night. The stradic is a freshwater real. One thing to watch out for on the spheros is the handle knob. Pack it with grease right outta the box, if not it will freeze up. I beat the piss outta mine, never rinse it etc. and the only thing that has gone wrong is the handle knob, if it does freeze up put the old style baitrunner knob on there, its alot better.

I've had trouble with several Okuma models...won't go there again. Tica Libra has been great so far.

Daiwa SS2600. Can't be beat for under $100

Green 704 Penn Spinner

I second that. Keep you eyes peeled for a greenie and life will be sweet for under 100.00 and no worries.

Last season I used a Penn 650ssm, a darned good reel:btu: