US Reels

[captainbailey]

I'm in the market for a new light-weight spinning reel for bay/canal. Does anyone own or know someone who has one of these reels. I can pick up a XL240 for under $100 at my local B&T. any other suggestions

[Fishin Dude]

Maybe it's just me, but a reel made in China, bearing a label "US Reels" makes me ANGRY. I know most of the stuff here is made overseas, but to put US on it is just wrong. Buy a Penn, at least they admit it comes from China. <'((((><

[captainbailey]

Maybe it's just me, but a reel made in China, bearing a label "US Reels" makes me ANGRY. I know most of the stuff here is made overseas, but to put US on it is just wrong. Buy a Penn, at least they admit it comes from China. <'((((><

I won't buy any penn reel. I got a lemon a few years back and then they would NOT service it two months after the purchase. 

I really like the design of this reel, but if i were to get something else, it would be a shimano.

[kayak1]

Best reel you will ever use in salt water.... I have 4 US reels for the kayak.... I have never had a problem with boating 30 and 40 pound bass from a kayak with this reel.

The drag system is one of the best I have ever used.... The large spool is great with power-pro and no twist and much longer casts....

I always used Penn,But after using the US reel...I will never go back.

I picked them all up at Grumpys B&T ask for mike...Great Reel

[Treebeard]

I have not tried any of he US reels, but I kinda agreee with Fishin Dude.. it seems like they try to get sales  with a bit of smoke and mirrors.. But they may well be great reels.. I do know there are a few other great reels in that price range that are a bit more "mainstream" and proven..I would look at the Daiwa SS Tournament reels(1600-2600 for the bay/canal)  They have been around a long time (one of the 1st longcast spools) and are light, but very stong due to a hardened gear system. Drag is smooth as silk, and never sticks on startup..The reel crosswraps line, so braids pay off smoothly, and the shape of the spool lends to long casts.. Another great reel to look at is the Shimano Stradic, although in larger sizes they will be a bit higher in price..

[captainbailey]

I have not tried any of he US reels, but I kinda agreee with Fishin Dude.. it seems like they try to get sales  with a bit of smoke and mirrors.. But they may well be great reels.. I do know there are a few other great reels in that price range that are a bit more "mainstream" and proven..I would look at the Daiwa SS Tournament reels(1600-2600 for the bay/canal)  They have been around a long time (one of the 1st longcast spools) and are light, but very stong due to a hardened gear system. Drag is smooth as silk, and never sticks on startup..The reel crosswraps line, so braids pay off smoothly, and the shape of the spool lends to long casts.. Another great reel to look at is the Shimano Stradic, although in larger sizes they will be a bit higher in price..

They don't hide the fact that they are not man. in the US anymore, which I respect.I try to buy american when i can but also understand that it is irrelevant (to an extent) to make purchases based on that anymore. I have a team daiwa advantage that i love but is expensive to fix and doesn't hold up as well as my stradic or spheros. Those are both 5000 series reels and are a bit heavier than what i need. Based on kayak1, I would take his recommendation because kayak fishing is as true of a test you can place on a reel.

[kayak1]

I do agree to a point with what everyone has said about reels.....It does come down to how much fishing the person does and were they are using the reel.....

If your only fishing weekends and the reel is never going to be under salt water or washed around the surf..... then why but something real expensive.....

Bottom line is.... each year while fishing the surf or while on the kayak.... someone who has never fished before.... who picked up a reel at K-Mart for $15.00 will catch fish..... Just like me using a $500.00 Reel....

If you ever want to to try out the US Reel let me know.... I can meet ya at the Mantoloking bridge.... and give it a test run....

Dave