I am looking to add a new spinning reel in the spring and was looking for input, good or bad. A VS is out of the question this year so im looking strongly at the Shimano Saragosa. My budget is around $250- $300 and will probably be paired with a Mojo 9 ftr, although im working the wife on a new Century rod. I surfcast for stripers, and do wetsuit at times, although mostly "wading" to deeper rocks, it will see some dunking. Any and all input regarding the Saragosa, or other suggestions, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Hey Dave! Hope your feeling better.

Get a shimano spheros with a bail less kit and pack the insides with grease. Awesome reel for the money.

If you want a century let me know, your welcome to try em out, I have the 9'6" which is a sweet light rod.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Hey bud! I have had a couple of the spheros 8000, and love them! A great , solid reel for the money, have heard a few good things about the Saragosa and was wondering what peoples thoughts were. Maybe i should be sticking with what ive had good luck on and forget the latter.
Its funny you suggested the 9'6", cause thats exactly the rod im looking at. I should have said that weight is a concern with the existing shoulder problem. What size reel would you pair it with Chef, Ive always used the 8000FB. Also are you going to be in Worcester in a few weeks for the show?...would love to catch up!

Dave the 9'6" matches great with reels in the 4000/5000 size range. So around 12 to 15 oz, 14oz seems to be ideal.

I have a daiwa 3500 on mine, which is 13.5 oz, balances almost perfect. But probably put a spheros 4000 on it, as the daiwa is old and beat up.

The rod is light, blank is 4.2oz and finished rod is 7.8oz maybe, Billy D just built a custom one for a CSA member. I have his notes somewhere, ill double check the weight.

Not sure about the show, but sure we could meet up, maybe find some open water if possible
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Saragosa is fine reel.A nicely beefed up Spheros in reality.I have the 10000.

Thanks Chef, i cant believe how light the blank is. I would love to try one out, so i might take you up on that. The 4000 or 5000 seem small to me for that set up, but would certainly be super light! Thanks for the help, and hope to see at RISSA maybe.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Dave the 9'6" matches great with reels in the 4000/5000 size range. So around 12 to 15 oz, 14oz seems to be ideal.

I have a daiwa 3500 on mine, which is 13.5 oz, balances almost perfect. But probably put a spheros 4000 on it, as the daiwa is old and beat up.

The rod is light, blank is 4.2oz and finished rod is 7.8oz maybe, Billy D just built a custom one for a CSA member. I have his notes somewhere, ill double check the weight.

Not sure about the show, but sure we could meet up, maybe find some open water if possible
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Chris the complete rod w/ x flock & #22 butt cap-9.6oz. Tip section 2oz. w/o the lt. weight corktape under the x-flock and #19 butt cap you can loose approx 1.5oz. Keeping in mind the smallness of the lower butt diameter on controlling the rod/reel weight during casting and comfort w/o sqeezing is my option for he underlayment. great blank. I test casted this blank and it sings out 2.6 oz pencils and feels at home w/ redfins. powerful action. you will love it. By the way keep in mind when you approach Shimano 6-8K reels the only difference is the spool capacity. Actually the reel weight diminishes (fractions)as the series number increases. my customer intends to use a Sustain 5K or upgrade to a ZB22 which is too heavy imo. VS 150 is a great match. ditto on the Spheros. great reel for the money. I investigated the new Penn ssv w/p -resistant reel. Nice piece of equipment. The 5K comes in slightly than the shimano. Give it a look/feel.

Great info Billy, thank you. I have looked at this rod, and it is IMO, one of the nicest blanks out there in its weight class. I will eventually pair it with a VS150/200, but its not in the budget this year.The Spheros is a great reel and I will probably end up pairing it with a 5000FB, just to acheive, as you alluded, a little more spool capacity. Does anyone know if that model comes in the bailess version? Thanks for all the input!

The bailless kit in only available for the 6000 up
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

5000 is the smallest with the kit, but from what I was told they are not making the lots anymore.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

I really want the bailess kit, is the 6000 too much reel for the rod, without affecting balance... ive never actually paired and casted one, but would consider that a huge point in my decision, but would like the largest spool capacity possible.

If the reel i going to be dunked, I would go with the Saragossa. Not because it's waterproof---it isn't---but because it's a simple design internally, and easy to tear down and clean.

If you go that route, throw some LocTite on the 6 screws that hold the drive shaft to the main gear.

New spinfisher Might be worth a look at the shows. If i was looking, it would be my choice this year
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

The shimano kit was also one of the worst designed products I've ever owned. Unless a gosa is packed with grease/and or you make sure the handle is in he lowest position it'll spin on the cast and catch the line. I found myself flipping the arm over even with the kit.

open the reel and put some grease in it, and make sure to grease the handle joint as well, the elbow likes to collect salt.

New spinfisher Might be worth a look at the shows. If i was looking, it would be my choice this year
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Looked at the 5500 this time at Cabelas, 4500LL last time I was there. Very smooth reel that looks like it deserves a real look from anyone in the market for a new reel. On the heavier side, but not terrible. At least take a look.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

The new spinfisher is definately going to get a look, just wish it had a year under its belt, to expose any durability issues. It does seem a little heavy for my liking but if it truly holds up as a watertight reel like they advertise, then for the money, it wont be beat. Im hoping to get a good look at it at the upcoming shows.

The new spinfisher is definately going to get a look, just wish it had a year under its belt, to expose any durability issues. It does seem a little heavy for my liking but if it truly holds up as a watertight reel like they advertise, then for the money, it wont be beat. Im hoping to get a good look at it at the upcoming shows.
It seems that Penn's interpretation of the term "water tight" is very much different from our (fishermen) expectations of a water tight reel. There have been issues with their new reels and water intrusion into the main body of the reel.
In my opinion, they lack a couple of key seals in critical areas to be called "water tight". Penn feels differently about the use of the term though. I still feel that it's a very well made reel with some nice features for the money. Water resistant would be a more appropriate term.

I agree 100%, its a term that i think will frustrate many fisherman.Hopefully the improvements they make to make it a truly watertight reel wont skyrocket the price! Because it has alot of potential to be at the top of its class in its price range.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

I'm kinda in the same boat- getting a new Century and looking for a reel to go along with it..... same budget for the reel too. I don't "swim" to go fishing though- wading above waist deep is about as far I'll go in most cases. I'm lookking at the new Cabo or even the new Smoke reels form Quantum. not sure if the latter will have enough capacity for open beach use though.... have to see it in person befor I decide.

also theres a new Shimno Ultegre XSC longcast reel- I ordered one for a site in the UK, but I'm finding they don't have any in stock at thois time..... getting a little pissed with the delays and lack of a straight answer...

Winter can be a tough time to recommend a reel when some of the reels mentioned above will have new models released at ICAST in July.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device