Hi all

I think the the S-word is acceptable in this part of the forum...

I have come by a very sturdy 7'6 spinning rod (10-30g rated), which I would like to match up with a spinning reel for occasional medium-river use (pike into the teens, chubb, trout, perch, occasionally salmon, casts to 20m). I flyfish for pike, I have all the requisite supporting and terminal tackle, and I am content the rod is up to the job of landing the likely catch.

I need some advice on a suitable reel.

I'm after a fixed spool eggbeater that has a reliable drag and gears up to the pike job, but no heavier/larger than necessary. Also fairly cheap, to gather dust in the closet between outings without making me feel guilty!

Would a line capacity of 100m 12-15lb mono be about right for pike in this context?

Any other essential specifications or reel suggestions?

thanks
Mark

Shimano or, slightly cheaper Okuma Epix Pro, size to suit. Superb gears, engineering and drag on both.

Grommit does the Okumas I see:

https://www.waderson.com/uk/store/54...12lb320yd.html

You might be alright with the 30 model (smaller one) and it will be a bit lighter for spinning. Some of the cheaper Okuma models also worth considering as well, depending on budget.

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I'd go for something that's suitable for bass spinning.
Veals' Bass 2008 catalogue lists the lovely 7 bearing ABU Cardinal 304RD (rear drag) at £37 - this includes a spare spool of 210/10 lb capacity.


PiB

almost any main company like abu shaky daiwa etc produce good fixed spool reels in the £30 area. Watch, the epix pro is a great reel but i am sure its a baitrunner reel. You don't need that so I'd opt for 1 without this added extra.

Personally for fixed spool reels I would look no further than Shimano. Get something in the 3000 size range. They're the best engineered reels I've come across (no surprise to find the gears on your bicycle are generally made by Shimano).

I wouldn't go for mono ... too much stretch. Go for a braid (about 20-30lb is right). You'll feel all the taps and knocks. Pike on lures can be surprisingly gentle ... then again they can almost wrench the rod out your hand .

There's a load of decent websites out there with advice. This is one of the better ones I've come across: http://members.lycos.co.uk/lureangler/left.htm

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Cheers,
Lawrence

The Shimano's are good. The Exage is a nice reel and has a solid rear drag with the extra addition of a fighting drag.
I second the advice of the previous poster too. I use braid for all my spinning work now and it's far superior to mono.

You can get a rear drag, non-baitrunner version (the baitrunner has drag at front) - thats what I had in mind (although the baitrunner version is more versatile - thats what I have)

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The Original Abu cardinals for me-size 4,4x,54,55 the best ever built to last.

sewinfly.............

I had an Okuma that cost me....wait for it....£7 ....and it was ok! I used it to take kids out fishing from school and it did well.

Go for a little Penn Spinfisher.