Im looking to buy a spinning reel for BFT and not looking to break the bank.
I know some use the big Sargosa, Finor or the Spinfisher types. Looking at the new Spinfisher V. Thoughts??

My heart says Stella my brain and wallet says other.

saragosa

Two things that do not go together.... low end and BFT. Doesn't have to be the best of the best, but if you hook up and your bargain basement fails.....you will be giving it the float test. Do you use low end equipment in your business?

Two things that do not go together.... low end and BFT. Doesn't have to be the best of the best, but if you hook up and your bargain basement fails.....you will be giving it the float test. Do you use low end equipment in your business?

Not all BFT are created equal! If you are targeting >70" fish there is likely no low end. If you target 40-60" fish that's another story.

I have the Saragosa 18,000F

Although there is a FB post today of a 670lb fish caught on a Penn 113!

Two things that do not go together.... low end and BFT. Doesn't have to be the best of the best, but if you hook up and your bargain basement fails.....you will be giving it the float test. Do you use low end equipment in your business?


Imo, you dont need 4 stella's or vs's unless thats your business or you have deep pockets. I dont think its practical for the occasional weekend BTF warrior. If I see good deals on used high end reels then I'm buying. Reel rod line leaders 1200 plus vs 600. I agree buy the best you can afford but I think its foolish for the average home owner buying commercial grade tools.

Imo, you dont need 4 stella's or vs's unless thats your business or you have deep pockets. I dont think its practical for the occasional weekend BTF warrior. If I see good deals on used high end reels then I'm buying. Reel rod line leaders 1200 plus vs 600. I agree buy the best you can afford but I think its foolish for the average home owner buying commercial grade tools.

Agreed. Analogy for you. An Echo will do the job well, the Ryobi, not so much. Just not springing for the Red Max.

Penn 9500ss and 7'slammer
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Penn 9500ss and 7'slammer
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

This up to 150 lbs.

Above 150 lbs, go big or go home. VS, or Stella

I would either look for an older Stella FA or buy the Gosa new. If you toast the Gosa on a big tuna, send to Shimano, they'll just send you a new one no questions asked in the first year, after that rebuild it for peanuts.

I toasted a gosa on a too big tuna, they sent me a new one.

The first time you hook up to a decent fish with a low end reel... it will become very clear what you need to play this game in about a minute or so after hook up.

670 with a 113 ? That is a 1 in 1000 catch and more credit goes to the guy at the helm than the rod.

Saragosa 18k preferred. Also heard an upgraded Saragosa will be introduced later this year.

There are some decent deals out there for new/close to new Stella SWs (600-700).

This up to 150 lbs.

Above 150 lbs, go big or go home. VS, or Stella

Totally agree....

I have caught a lot of fish on a 9500ss, not the smoothest reel out there, but got the job done. Largest fish was in the 60 / 65" range.

I hear the larger Saragosa is a solid choice too. I have never caught a fish on one.

That being said.....I dropped the coin on a VS

Thanks for the input S-B Peeps. It seems the Sargosa is the popular inexpensive reel.

After watching a couple videos on the Spinfisher V, the 9500 is a monster, a reel that size what's it good for?? Holds plenty line and has a 40# drag, granted its a heavy combo chances are your not going to be casting like you do for anything else.

Hmmmmm

Are the large Fin-nor reels useless now? I am a weekend warrior and only fish for tuna a few times a year. Is it even worth me heading out and trying? I know this year's class of fish is looking pretty large.

Step 1 is hooking up. Run what ya brung.
you could end up with a lot of high end equipment and a large credit card bill very quickly.

Break the bank and look pretty!!!

Not saying you should break the bank, but after all that money you spent on a boat/maintenance/fuel you really want to cheap out and loose a nice fish on the first run?

I have been happy with my Spheros 14000FB I picked up a few years. I call it a poor mans Stella. The drag is smooth and it has plenty of it.

If running and gunning or vertical jigging is your thing and you do it all that time then invest. If you go out occasionally this is more that adequate.