Price of Spinning Reels

Here's an interesting question for the weekend....

As I sit here reading the new Cabelas fishing catalog I can see that every reel maker produces a reel at $39/$49/$59 and most at
$69 dollars too. One for everyone! What makes the Shimano $39 reel better than the Abu $39 reel? Or the Pflueger $39 or the Cabela's  $39 reel. I could go on for awhile with Brands but I think you get the idea. Sure one is prettier than the next. One has 66 bearings one has only 3. Is there really a difference between the brands or are they all made in the same factory in China with different names on them....? Whatta you think?

What you want is one not made in China that costs $130, on sale half off.

It's all about establishing brand loyalty at which ever price point you get on the fishing train.

Eventually you end up paying $200 for a spinning reel that does pretty much the same thing as the entry reels
but weighs 1.3 oz lighter/casts 8 feet farther/looks amazing/feels like a fine Swiss watch in your hand and matches
that $150 spinning rod you just gotta have 

 

Same with fly reels.  Why pay hundreds when all the fly reel does is hold line?  I'm still using my original Pflueger from way back in the days when they were made in the USA.

I like to use the okuma reels at 59$ you get a reel that is pretty smooth and won't break the bank

I have almost switched all my spinning outfits to Penn reels, the Battle and Fierce are very well made high quality reels.

Its the material and how its made.and the assembly process.its like saying why do Mercedes cost so much more than a Hyundai.next time your at a cabelas or bps pick up the 59$ reel spin it and then go and pick up the 200-300$ reel if you cant notice the difference then stick with the cheaper reel

I have almost switched all my spinning outfits to Penn reels, the Battle and Fierce are very well made high quality reels.

I agree for the price I can't complain. They can handle a lot abuse... Love my spinfisher v 4500LL.

The Battle is probably the best spinning reel I have had, super durable and it's all about a smooth drag, smooth drag is what you will get when you spend good money, that and high inch per turn ratios.

Bah, Penn, Abu, Pflueger, and Shakespeare are all in the same boat. They're all owned by Pure Fishing. Which is owned by Jarden. When I found out, I wanted to cry...Still, I agree with the others. Go with Penn.

For the Penn fans here...On Ebay       and they say they have a bunch
 
  New Penn Battle 4000 Spinning Reel BTL4000 6bb+1rb 170YDS/12# BTL4000
Now:US $69.99
Reg: US $100.00

The above post on ebay is for sportsmen's outfitters in Alabama. I went to their direct site and the prices are even lower!
http://www.sportsmansoutfitters.com

The Battle 1000/2000/3000 and 4000 are all 62.99 each plus free shipping. I just bought one!
Tom

I've tried a lot of them, never fell in love with any of them regardless of price.  I have some snazzy Okumas for pelagic jigging..meh.  I had a really expensive quantum for steelhead...lame.  Penn Battle is pretty good but the paint on mine chipped super ez.  I have one Daiwa that's pretty good. 

In general all of my favorite  reels have either been Daiwa or Abu, so I'm thinking of trying an Abu next.

There's a new Shimano spinning reel that's $700. When I see a reel that expensive I keep wondering if I'll get a cigarette
and a hug the next morning....

I lost a lot of respect for Penn quality a number of years ago.  I'm not a brand snob & did MOST of my fishing over the years for trout with a $15 reel & never once had a problem with it in a 10 year period.  I have a mix of Shimano, Penn, Daiwa, & others.  Each reel has it's merits.  I've always favored Daiwa if I had to choose 1 from my lineup for overall feel, quality, smoothness, price, etc...  I used to love the Stradic reels when I fished a lot of saltwater in Florida but then they changed the materials back around 2003 or 2004 & if you read the "fine print" it now stated 'not for saltwater use'

I say, use what you have the most confidence in!  That's the ONE thing I learned from the top bass guys out there.