What is your prefered spinning reel for inshore fishing
 

I'm about to buy a few new set ups for the boat and would appreciate your input on what reels you like. Looking to get something around the 80-100$ mark but don't let that stop you if you like are set on something more expensive. Keep looking at Shimano Symetre but just cant pull the trigger for some reason.

Ive been super happy with my penn battles in 2500.

I've got a Shimano Sienna that I love. A lot cheaper than your looking at though.

Penn 4000 series reels. Or okuma 4000 series. They'll handle any specks or reds you can throw at em and they last forever it seems. Got about 10 years on both and they are smooth as the day I bought em and no rust/corrosion

I have okuma and love them

X2

I had okuma trio buy they didn't last. Now I have lews and Shimano Sahara I think that's the name. Lol no problem so far.

One of the best inshore reels in my opinion. Really like that they are designed to fish braid line. Smooth drag and durable. What more could you ask? I used to only use Shamino but since I've tried the Penn battles it's all I buy now.

True.

My father probably has around 15 Penn Battles. Very nice inshore reels.

I'm using Pflueger right now, but intend to move to Shimano Stradic when I wear my Pfluegers out. The new Stradic should be out soon.

Have one of the original Okuma inspiras . So i guess that makes it around 12 years old . I finally after my last trip have to retire it, (Like me ,it's wore out) . It's never been torn down just rinsed and oiled. That said i will be switching to the penns as the new okumas are not near as good as the old ones.

My preferred reels are (in order) Daiwa Procyon 2500, Shimano CI4 Stradic 3000, Shimano Stradic 3000. In your price range, consider the Daiwa Exceler 2500, or Shimano Symetre 3000.

Shimano symetre or sahara 2500's

I just swapped to Abu Garcia, either the Revo S or Orra SX. I tried several after I got tired of my Shimano being so hard to engage the bail. The Penn and the Abu reels are very easy to engage the bail's. I have not had a chance to try the Okuma's.

In 2012 we bought eight Shimano Symmetre 3000's and they have given very good inshore use since that time. They've done very well with 30 lb Power Pro and cand handle fish up to the largest bull reds and drum you will catch. Due to the line capacity, we have often worried about getting spooled by big bull reds, but with care to tighten the drag when a fish is running and get line back when we can, we've never been spooled, and we've never had to pull anchor and follow a fish to prevent being spooled.

These are great reels for general purpose inshore use. The 15 lb max drag is a bit light if you are targeting bull reds. Since we target mostly bull reds, as we buy new reels, we are moving more to the Shimano Spheros 5000 and 6000 with 27 lbs max drag and level winds. The limited drag on the Symmetre allows bull reds to make one or two final short runs when they spook at the boat/net. I don't think this has caused any lost fish, but it does add time to the landing which could be tricky if fighting two fish at once or if there is structure to avoid or a fish is lip hooked.

I usually use Shimano, but would definitely look at the Battle II in that price range.

I really appreciate all the input guys. I have 3 Okumas and an old Flueger from my bass fishing days. The older Okumas are great just getting long in the tooth. The Okuma Trio i bought last year is junked...heard it cracking and popping on the first big red i set the hook on and finally died. Gonna have to check out the Penns.

I have an Okuma Inspira I have had 10 years...no problems...

I prefer my old old Mitchell 410 and 411...heavy yes, but never let me down...

I bought a new Penn today and put it on a H2O rod I got on sale at Academy. I hope to break it in this weekend. Now I have 4 of the battles.

The Shimano CI4 3000 is an excellent reel for inshore fishing... It runs about 230.00, however it's worth the extra cost...... I also use it for Bass fishing.... Well rounded reel.... They have the CI4 4000 out now, so I would say if you run after the Bulls.... This would be some added muscle.... Put it on a Shimano 7'6 rod...... Medium Heavy....

Whatever you get, go light. A long rod light action, areel capable of having enough string, string 8-10 lb test. Maxizes the action and fun, may take a little longer to reel in, but isn't that what you want to do anyhow! Good luck fishing!!!