light tackle spinning reel advise

[pistolpete68]

After 10 + years , I am retiring my shimano spirex 4000ra reel . The bail is broke and they do not have the replacement part : ( I am looking for suggestions for a new reel , It was my favorite schoolie reel . Over the years i have landed mutiple keepers on it the biggest was over #25 . The best feature was the rear fighting Drag . Let me know what you use ?? and any other thoughts .

Thanks
Pete

[Fishpart]

Quantum Boca 40PTS

[fishaholic18]

Originally Posted by Fishpart

Quantum Boca 40PTS

Yup, sweet reel, got to use one on my last Florida fishing trip and loved it. I had to have one.

[Karl F]

I just picked up a Quantum Cabo 40.....
have it on a 8 foot St. Croix, rated 1/2 ounce to 2 ounce..
schoolie/sluggo combo set up.
I'm very impressed with it so far...

What is the diff between the Cabo and the Boca?

[Skitterpop]

A Penn 710 is nice ....solid with a long life

[Pete_G]

The Stradic works in saltwater, but unless you need the extra spool consider the Spheros. Less money, simpler reel, and bottomline is it lasts longer then a Stradic in a saltwater enviroment since it is built for it. It was blatantly obvious when we had mixed Stradics and Spheros on our charter boats. All Spheros now.

I wouldn't knock the Boca/Cabo series either.

[5 String Bass]

Originally Posted by Skitterpop

A Penn 710 is nice ....solid with a long life

I'll second that. I like the old school stuff... I have an ancient greenie 710 that is like new. It is perfect for the schoolies that around this time of year. Easy to keep up and strong- it is a simple reel and it doesnt break.

For new stuff on the cheap, Okuma does make decent stuff. I haven't tried the Shimano's, but obviously people like them.

[fishaholic18]

Originally Posted by Karl F

What is the diff between the Cabo and the Boca?

Bearings.
Cabo has 10...Boca has 7..

[fishaholic18]

Originally Posted by fishaholic18

Yup, sweet reel, got to use one on my last Florida fishing trip and loved it. I had to have one.

I'm sorry, read that wrong, I bought the Cabo.

[gf2020]

I'll probably get lots of criticism, but I've had good luck with the Okuma spinning reels. I have a bunch of them in different models and sizes and they all work fine for me and my boys.

On the other hand, for a bit more money, it's hard to go wrong with a Shimano Stradic, just pick the size you like.

[Clogston29]

stradic 4000

[reelecstasy]

Originally Posted by Clogston29

stradic 4000

Bingo, one of the smoothest reels for the $ imho

[goosefish]

Stradic 4000 is my favorite too. Great all purpose reel for anything from bonefish to stripers.

[fishaholic18]

Originally Posted by Clogston29

stradic 4000

The Stradic is a nice reel if you don't mind having to take it apart and clean it all the time. The Spheros requires much less maint. and is just as good a reel and also costs less. I've fished both for years and found myself using the Spheros much more. I've landed most of my big surf fish on my Sheros 8000.
If you go Shimano, I'd go Sheros.

[Bronko]

Originally Posted by fishaholic18

The Stradic is a nice reel if you don't mind having to take it apart and clean it all the time. The Spheros requires much less maint. and is just as good a reel and also costs less. I've fished both for years and found myself using the Spheros much more. I've landed most of my big surf fish on my Sheros 8000.
If you go Shimano, I'd go Sheros.

I Agree with this 100% best reel you can buy for ther money. I own a bunch of them and they are great reels for most NE surf fishing situations. They are back-ups this year because my wife bought me a VS 200 for Christmas. They'll still make the trips though.

[pistolpete68]

Thanks , I will go get one this weekend . What size rod do you guys use .

[reelecstasy]

Lamiglas GLB 84 1M

[Thumb-Burner]

I agree on the okuma. I love the inspiras. they are smooth as silk and the drag works great.

for short money, i recently got a daiwa regal for about 45 bucks and love it too..

[King Neptune]

I don't know about you guys but I'm thinking of picking up one of those Spongebob combos.

[onsetangler]

I have a stradic 5000, and it is an awesome reel. I also have an Okuma Epixor that is also a more that substantial reel. I fish mainly Penn and Shimano, but I like the Okuma that I have and always scratch my head as to why so many guys put down the Okuma products. The way i see it is as long as you take care of your equipment it should treat you well. That said , the stradic 400 is the way to go.

[Adamfishes]

you can get a spheros on ebay for a great price. sealed drag is nice That okuma VS looks pretty sweet.

[JFigliuolo]

Originally Posted by Adamfishes

you can get a spheros on ebay for a great price. sealed drag is nice That okuma VS looks pretty sweet.

Okuma VS=Junk. Got one.

[Rockport24]

I like my penn slammer

[JFigliuolo]

Originally Posted by Rockport24

I like my penn slammer

When I use a "light" real that's what I use.

[striperondafly]

Originally Posted by Rockport24

I like my penn slammer

me too - Penn Slammer 360 for the light stuff. I landed a 65 lb Black Drum the first day I used it.

I used to use Stradic 4000's - very smooth but not durable enough for me.

[ridler72]

Ditto on Stradics. I would suggest the 5000 over the 4000. The 5000 is a 1/10 ounce lighter then the 4000 and has more line capacity for the same price. Both reel bodies are the same so the spools are interchangeable. Shimano took the 4000 spool and drilled it a little more, behold the 5000.

[fish4striper]

I have a stradic 4000 and my son has a spheros 4000. Both great reels, smooth as silk.

[cardnial77]

i have great luck with my penn slammer 560

[Vogt]

The Okuma VS is realllly sweet. I bought one last year and it is great. Totally sealed drag and smooth as silk.

[Guyver]

At under $50 on ebay the Daiwa Laguna 4000 isn't a bad choice. Aluminum body and spool, great drag, bail doesn't close when casting , light weight, good capacity, if it only had a waterproof drag it would be great!