Anyone use Fin-nor reels?

[Young Salt]

I've been shopping around for a new spinning reel this year. I was very disappointed with my two year old penn SS (horrible line twist). I've been looking at the fin-nor reels and so far I like what I see. They seem to be good reels, and the prices are good too. Has anyone used these reels before? I'm unsure of how well they'd hold up, also about getting parts for it. I've been looking at the Inshore and the Megalite MLX.

[fishweewee]

My experience is limited to the Ahab spinning models.

They are built like brick chithouses and sport nice drags (teflon impregnated cork).

Common beefs with them are that they are heavy and are not braid friendly (in terms of line roller and cross-oscillational line winding capability). I'm not exactly sure of the models you mention.

-WW

[maddog2020]

I had the Fin-nor Megalites (newer brown bodies) in 2000, 3000 & 4000 sizes and fished them for a year. All I can tell you now is I don't own ANY of them any more. Traded most off and gave the smaller 2000 to my Dad.

My main problem with the Fin-nor graphite body was the amount of frame flex - too much for my liking. Give me an aluminum body reel any day! They MLs had the cork drag like the Ahabs, but I found the drags to be no better, OR smoother than Shimano drags, or Penn drags.

If you want a small bay reel, I like the Penn 260 & 360 Slammers. Shimano Spheros (sleeper - not many buy them, but they are excellant reels for the $ IMHO). Many guys like the Shimano Stradics as well.

The Daiwa Hardbodyz are probably the best buy in reels for the $ IMHO. You can find them all over the place for reasonable $. Even if you buy the in a retail store they won't break your pockets. Daiwa Kastor & Laguna are fine, or if you want higher end then go for the Capricorn (Cabelas had then all on sale right now - fyi). Daiwa SS has been a mainstay for LOTS of hardcore salt guys for a long time.

I hate spending $ on stuff that doesn't get used. Just trying to save you some $and aggrevation. I use light gear for most species of fish and I've experimented with just about every brand of reel over the past 25+ yrs.

Which size reel were you thinking about? What pound class?

[UserRemoved1]

ml4000 $ucks I had 5 of them all with same problems...less than 6 months old.

Biggest pieces of chit I ever owned in my life. And their service isn't any better either.

[Canalman]

YSalt - Look into the Shimano Stradic.. I used one last year after I blew up two Nautils and I loved it. In fact I just bought another one and I 'm looking at getting a third. Just make sure you treat it right.. rinse it well after every trip and keep it lubed and you should be a happy little fisherman.

-Dave

[goosefish]

I've got a 5000 Stardic. Throws braid great. Good reel, and as canalman said keep it oiled, especially the worm gear. If this reel gets no oil and no rinsing it will squeek and at times the handle will stick when reeling slow--most annoying when retrieving swimming plugs. Keep it oiled. It's a good little reel.

[Slingah]

not familiar with any Fin-Nor but the Ahab, like Wee-Wee said heavy but nice drag.
I like Stradics also no problems so far.

[Young Salt]

I'm glad I asked, the last thing i need is another junky reel...I was suspicious of the low price. Looks I like i'm going to get the stradic. a bit more $ but i'm more than willing to pay extra for something thats reliabile. I plan on using braid with it too, what pound test do you guy use with it, and how much mono backing do you use.
If capicity is an problem mayby i'll go with the spheros. It's a little less money, and shimano says it holds an extra 35 yards. Only problem is I dont think they have the anit-rust bearings or the 'maintenance port' so I can easily lube the worm gear like you guys said.
Thanks for all the input guys.

[Canalman]

I have used 30 and 50 but I like the 50 better. I don't use much backing at all maybe 10-15 yards just enough to cover the spool and keep the line from spinning on the spool. Don't worry about the extra 35 yards... if a fish takes you far enough to get to the end of the stradic spool he's going to take that extra 35 yards too. Looking at he spheros.. it would seem to me to be a 1 year reel if you fish hard. And if it doesn't have anti-corrosion bearings.. that salt water will be licking it's chops... for your tasty bearings.

-DAve

[fishing bum wannabe]

I have a 4000 Megalite. Fantastic drag, better than any other spinning reel I own. To echo Salty, the rest is a POS. I bought 2, returned 1 and tried to return the other without success. I save it for those occasions when I will be targeting Bonito/False Albacore (because of the super smooth drag). The issue I ran into was the bail is fastened to the body with a plastic pin! The pin is held in place with a C clip. Sooner or later the C clip is going to eat up the pin and it will fail. I have seen this on 3 reels so far. The Ahab has the same fantastic drag, but is heavy and not braid friendly.

I have a 5500ss and a 710, both of which I like. Then I got a Daiwa Capricorn 4000. The Capricorn with the Hardbodyz (all metal frame) is a great reel for the money. I paid $84.00 including shipping on ebay. Lately there has been a lot of competition for them on ebay and they are bringing higher prices. The Daiwa is easily a match for the Stradic in quality, and with the metal frame, was my first choice. I bought late last summer, and only fished it through the fall so I don't know how well it will stand the test of time. My Penn 710 greenie is 30 years old and still going strong. I did not try braid on the Daiwa yet but have heard that is as good as any and better than most, with braid. Funny thing is that the reason I bought it was to try braid. Neither of my Penns are braid friendly.

[davess23]

I bought a used Ahab 12A last season and fished it pretty heavily, and I'm really impressed. Smooth, powerful, great drag, and I've experienced no problems at all using 30 lb. Fireline. Nice reel, with very well machined, strong gears. I find myself using it a lot in place of my old Penn 6500.

The Megalite may be a Fin-Nor, but it's not built like the Ahab. I owned a 4000 for a while, but sold it because I have a Shimano Sustain 4000FB, very similar in size, that I like better.

[TheRattBoy]

Ahab model 12, used it hard for 5 years now, no problems, using 65# whiplash.
Also use a Shimano Stradic 6000 with whiplash, love that one too.
johnny "the Ratt Boy"

[maddog2020]

Just looked at a Cabelas catalog - it shows that the Shimano Spheros (2004 model) does have the anti-rust bearings!

Keep in mind the Stradic is more $ also because it does come with an extra aluminum spool. It has a folding handle, and etc.

Either way you can't go wrong IMHO.

I do comparable diameter mono (three layers) and all the rest is braid. Its safest to have too much line than not enough. If you have 300 yds on there and you get spooled then at least you have a hell of a story to tell afterwards.....LOL. On average you probably never need 150 yds.

Some people love one brand over another and if one brand was THAT much better than the others then everyone would be using that one brand. Its like a car - do we all drive the same make & model?! :P

FYI - braids have varying breaking strengths and diameters than they REALLY are. Thats a whole other topic.

[likwid]

Hate the megalites
love the ahabs

but they're pricey
bigtime

along with heavy...

make great boat spinners but just too heavy to lug around on the beach all night

[scarecrow]

3 of them Love and use and abuse them
they still are like new.

[davess23]

There's a guy selling an Ahab 12A, used, for $100 in the classifieds on one of the other fishing sites. I don't know the guy who posted the ad, and I have no interest at all in the sale of this reel, but if it's in good shape, $100 is about right for a used Ahab. New, I think they're at or slightly above the $200 mark.

if you're looking for one, pm me and I'll give you contact info.

[theSURF121]

I had (key word) an Ahab 16 a few years back. Liked the way it was built and its smoothness but had the same complaint about its weight. My biggest complaint was when it took on sand and water. The thing grinded and locked up on occasion. The bearings corroded quite easily too. Quality reel but not the best reel for surf and sand. Better suited for boat fishing or where it won't get wet IMHO.. Not too braid friendly also.

[blackeye]

good reels, almost me-proof. got two ahab 12's and my girl has an es3000 on her schoolie rod. only complaint is the not braid friendly aspect. take the $190.00 (and $25 for extra spool) and buy a couple of 704's and use the extra money to buy me a plug for the sage advise
chris

[Young Salt]

I'm sure that the ahab's are a nice reel, but out of my price range for my schoolie rod (the weight is another issue) I'm pretty much sold on the stradic 4000 or 5000 now, I already have a sienna trout reel, and it works like a dream. Awhile back I heard about this guy who sent in his 10-12 shimano's for yearly maintenance, and because he was such a loyal customer they they tuned them all up for free. How often do you get that kind of service nowaday?
One last question is, would I save any money if i buy it at one of the upcomming shows? From what i've seen just about everything you buy there is retail price.

[TheRattBoy]

I don't know what all you "not braid friendly"guys are doing , i've had braid on it for years and no troubles.johnny "tRB"