I just built myself a nice 7.6' Custom Plug/Soft plastic rod. Its a Batson Blank and all Fuji components. I am looking for a good but not expensive reel to put on it. I had a penn Captiva on it, and like that reel but feel that if i fish this set up hard and i hook into 30 pound fish it may not last. Any suggestions?

Lots of options out there. Do you have an idea of how much you want to spend?
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if you liked the craptiva, i had one lasted 1 week. then u will love the sargos prob the best reel for under 90 bucks, got a albie on one of mine last year and it didnt bat a eyelash. the spheros have come way down and really perform for around $125.
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I was generously loaned a Shimano Stradic... I think the 4000 or 5000. I've taken a number of 20s and a handful of 30s with that reel, using 20lb test braid. It has held up great through some long battles.

I'd second the Stradics...I have a couple of them and they are a very sturdy reel. Butter smooth too....

My old stradic broke on me last spring. It was one of the White and Gold ones, thing was sweet. But to get the parts for older models takes forever.Went perfectly on my 8ft tica dolphin, and had an extra spool, with that model both the 5000 and 6000 size spools fit on it.

I just ended up getting a caboPT40 to replace it, which is awwwweeesssommeee, but a lil pricier around 189. it handled a ton of nasty blues on the cape this summer perfectly, didnt bail snap once, and the service is pissah they have a 2 day turnaround i think once the thing gets to the factory. smooth as puppy poop

I have used a stradic in the past and thought it worked fine. I like my sustain better but they are more $.

Was looking at the quantum cano 40. And like the looks and heard some good stuff.
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im with the CRAPTIVA crowd 1 fish 36" and there it was gone...........

The cabo for short money. But cry once, pay once and have it forever...get a saltiga 4000.

I have been using an Okuma Epixor on a similar sized rod to yours and I love it. First season I spooled it with 12 lb. mono and last season I spooled it with 16 lb. braid and brought in a few fish over 20 lbs. For the money I think it is a great reel although I am sure you can probably spend minimal amount more and get a better reel. I am super cheap when it comes to gear always buying the best gear to get the job done while not spending a lot and also not buying complete crap, so far so good.

Lately have been partial to the Shimano Stradic FI's have 2 4000's for fishing small rubber, they do well. Can't go wring with a Cabo or the Satigas. Stay far away from new Penn Spinning.

Now let me ask you. You just wrapped yourself a nice rod......you didn't have the reel picked out before hand? Without the reel how did you locate the gather guide and the size of that guide?

I don't consider myself an expert rod builder but spinning rod wise, without giving a test cast with guides taped on and the reel you want to use to find a good size, height and distant for the "last" guide could make or break the deal.

Can you get these cabos' or okuma's repaired or are the a low cost disposable reel? Sometimes the cost of a clean and service and a few parts exceeds the value of the reel. I know some shops stopped servicing low end Penn's for that reason.

Be careful just looking at the entry price...consider:
1) how much you will use the reel
2) how it will be used (boat, shore, and degree of wetness it will see)
3) what kind of line
4) who will fix/service it
5) It's history with others who fish like you.


If you plan to depend on this reel...then spend the money up front and get quality that is repairable. There is lots to choose from, that is for sure.

If you plan to depend on this reel...then spend the money up front and get quality that is repairable. There is lots to choose from, that is for sure.

good point. don't waste money on something entry level if you're going to be using it a lot. You'll end up compounding costs on better other reels and repairs..

Can't say too much about the durability of the reel except from others reviews, but I got a saragosa 4000 for christmas to pair with an 8' avid. Love the combo. Seeing its still winter i have only used it to test plugs but i love it so far. Super light setup and feels great so far. Hope it feels as good when a cow is on the other end! With my experience with other reels from the company, you can't go wrong with shimano.

Lately have been partial to the Shimano Stradic FI's have 2 4000's for fishing small rubber, they do well. Can't go wring with a Cabo or the Satigas. Stay far away from new Penn Spinning.

Now let me ask you. You just wrapped yourself a nice rod......you didn't have the reel picked out before hand? Without the reel how did you locate the gather guide and the size of that guide?

I don't consider myself an expert rod builder but spinning rod wise, without giving a test cast with guides taped on and the reel you want to use to find a good size, height and distant for the "last" guide could make or break the deal.

I used the Penn Captiva to mock it all up and planned on using it all season, but got looking at a new reels and changed my mind. Hopefully if i stay within the same size reel it will suit my need.
I have build mabe 10 rods now from start to finish and always test cast them before i color preserve and Expoy them.

considering the daiwa Saltist 4000. Worth the money? I really like the looks of it and feel of it.

I have a 4500 on a 10' and i think the 4000 is roughly the same size. Personaly i think this would be too big, but i do like the reel.

I used the Penn Captiva to mock it all up and planned on using it all season, but got looking at a new reels and changed my mind. Hopefully if i stay within the same size reel it will suit my need.
I have build mabe 10 rods now from start to finish and always test cast them before i color preserve and Expoy them.

Gotcha.......as long as the new reel is about the same spool diameter you should be fine.

They are worth the money...but now that i think about it the 4000 might be a little on the large size for a 7ft rod. Go to a shop that has them and check em out. They might work.

Heres a little something for yha. My buddy pete has a saltiga 4500. He sent it back bc it didnt feel as silky smooth as when he bought it. He figured theyd clean in and send it back....They replaced all the gears and sent it back a few days later. He had no idea what they had done untill it got back. You send them in pay the shipping and they send em back no $ for cleaning or repairs....

Pick up a saltiga and then the captiva....you will never touch another penn reel.:love: