[RiverCat09]

Can anyone recommend a decent light to medium spinning reel in a 6:1 or 7:1 retrieve that won't break the bank that I could use for light tackle Spanish mackerel? I'm thinking of poking around the flea market Saturday in Dele, and would like to pick up such a reel for when the macs come to town next summer.

 

[twiskman]

How much you looking to spend? It will help narrow your results...

 

[RiverCat09]

How much you looking to spend? It will help narrow your results...

I'd like to get away for under a hundred bucks. I looked at Okuma, which are good bang for the buck, but I didn't see any with that high a retrieve offhand.

 

[DaveOsh]

I catch tons of Macks in the surf with my Stradics (2500 and 5000). I know they're over 100 bucks. They are 6:1 and 5.7:1. With the larger size spool on the 5000, it is just as quick on the retrieve as the 2500.

 

[twiskman]

Are you dead-set for a spinning outfit? I used a Shimano Speedmaster last year (casting for Kings in FL), and I think it was like 6:1, but it was a casting reel, but they were only like $120 or so...

 

[Shawn Kimbro]

I think 6.2:1 is as fast as they get.

 

[Francis]

Yeah. I think a baitcast may be more suited to fast retrieves for mackeral. Get a "power fishing" largemouth bass reel.

 

[Dutch]

Check out Harleerod

I found a couple options around $100.00 for you on this site (Harleerod.com). I have bought a bunch of stuff from them in the past and they are always one of the best deals I can find. There are a bunch of options in the 5.0 range that are much cheaper here.

6.2.1 ratio

Penn Sargus SG3000 Saltwater Fishing Spinning Reel New
SKU # 031324373006
Price: $74.99

6.0:1 ratio

Shimano Saros 3000F Fresh/Saltwater Fishing Reel
SKU # 022255099271
Price: $119.99

Good Luck

Dutch

 

[RiverCat09]

I catch tons of Macks in the surf with my Stradics (2500 and 5000). I know they're over 100 bucks. They are 6:1 and 5.7:1. With the larger size spool on the 5000, it is just as quick on the retrieve as the 2500.

I noticed those, and haven't ruled them out. It appears offhand that when you get into the fast retrieve spinning rods, they are a bit more pricey.

Are you dead-set for a spinning outfit? I used a Shimano Speedmaster last year (casting for Kings in FL), and I think it was like 6:1, but it was a casting reel, but they were only like $120 or so...

I pretty much want to stick with spinning reels for now. I have a rod ready for a spinning reel, and I don't want to undertake the learning curve of a bait caster quite yet. I will learn bait casting eventually, but will practice first on large mouth bass.

I think 6.2:1 is as fast as they get.

Shawn, do have a recommendation of a model? I remember a posting you did last summer when you had a killer day for Spanish and where you mentioned a high radio spinning outfit.

 

[Shawn Kimbro]

Yes, you are right. I was using that before I picked up a 7.1:1 baitcaster. It was 6.2:1. and I think that's fast enough to outrun bluefish if you have a full spool, large handle and really crank them. Most people will recommend Shimano reels and for good reason. You generally get what you pay for and the higher end models have better components. You can't argue with success. I use a gold BPS Extreme though, actually, it's third or fourth generation because I just take it back and get a new one whenever it feels funny.

 

[Seahunter]

The speed of a spinning reel is largely determined by the diameter of it’s spool. Therefore when selecting a "high speed" spinning reel the import thing is the "inches of retrieve per turn of the handle" not the gear ratio. Most spinning reels give the retrieval rate as part of there specification. The spinner I choose for the task is a Diawa Capricorn 3500.

As for the spinner, bait casting debate. Your wrist will thank you for going with a spinner. I have a Abu Mag-Elite that has been modified extensively for casting to Macs. As much as I love using the reel I can only take so much before my wrist gives out and I put it back in the rack in favor of my spinner.

 

[rocksteady]

You can still find the Symetre FI for $79 or less . The 2009 model is the FJ and goes for $99 . Great little reels with 6.2:1 ratio

 

[Greenberg]

I purchased 2 Symmetre reels last year and absolutely love them. I think the front drags are $79 and the rear drags are $99.....

 

[LY2000]

With your budget, Symetre is the way to go. Even if you have the money, you can't tell them apart from a stradic.

 

[Shawn Kimbro]

The speed of a spinning reel is largely determined by the diameter of it's spool. Therefore when selecting a "high speed" spinning reel the import thing is the "inches of retrieve per turn of the handle" not the gear ratio.

Absolutely right. That's why a full spool is very helpful for ripping.

Another note on mac casting. In the bay, the important thing is isolating schools with a high mac to bluefish ratio. Look for little snips on the surface and fewer birds, reminds me of gar schools in freshwater. When you're in the macs heavy, they'll hit at a slower retrieve. The speed is mostly for outrunning bluefish & rock. One slip of the handle and boom, you're hooked up with a blue. That's one of the reasons I enjoyed mac casting so much last year. It's one thing to find breakers, but something else entirely to try not to catch the fish you usually target.

Casting for them is fun, but if you really want to catch macs in the bay, your best bet times ten is trolling.

 

[RiverCat09]

You can still find the Symetre FI for $79 or less . The 2009 model is the FJ and goes for $99 . Great little reels with 6.2:1 ratio

That looks like the ticket. :thumbup: Thanks!! :yes:

 

[RiverCat09]

Absolutely right. That's why a full spool is very helpful for ripping.

I'll definitely spool it up full. I need to bear in mind that I need to reel my bait in at 7 miles per hour.

Another note on mac casting. In the bay, the important thing is isolating schools with a high mac to bluefish ratio. Look for little snips on the surface and fewer birds, reminds me of gar schools in freshwater. When you're in the macs heavy, they'll hit at a slower retrieve. The speed is mostly for outrunning bluefish & rock. One slip of the handle and boom, you're hooked up with a blue. That's one of the reasons I enjoyed mac casting so much last year. It's one thing to find breakers, but something else entirely to try not to catch the fish you usually target.

Thanks for the tip! :thumbup: We went to Poplar last year and all we got were blues. :eek2: I'll look out for the snips next time. Thing is, when we saw lots of birds, we went straight for them.

Casting for them is fun, but if you really want to catch macs in the bay, your best bet times ten is trolling.

That makes sense. We'll definitely have the light trolling stuff (cat rods pressed into service) at the ready.

 

[Hunter]

The 2009 model is the FJ and goes for $99 . Great little reels with 6.2:1 ratio[/QUOTE]

Just picked up one of these from Bait N Hook (NJ) for $89; need to start at Google shopping though.

 

[Tombass123]

Casting for macs is awesome.. easy to tell theyre there when u see them shoot out of the water like torpedoes
trolling does get you a much better ratio of them but its no sport or excitement

 

[J.A. Veil]

Several years ago, I was looking at new reels. I really like Shimano Stradics, which have a gear ratio of 6:1 or greater. Several of the lower priced Shimano models also have a high ratio. To my surprise, few of the other leading brands had ratios that high. I have fished with Tica and Okuma reels side-by-side with my Stradics and really notice the difference in retrieval speed (Stradic is noticeably faster)

My suggestion is to look at the Shimano website and check the specifications of their different models of spinning reels. You should find one in your price range.