LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON SMALLER MODELS GRINDER REELS

[BJR]

I am looking for s.one who has or is still using a smaller model grinder for spinning in lagoons/estuaries etc to give me his/her opinion.
What I am after is your choice/comment of a grinder smaller than the standard 1000 model , nl in Shimano 500's , etc which has proven itself in the salt. I intend spinning with very light outfit, though the 1000 model reels one get, is still a tad large.

Thks

[WalkersKiller]

I only use small grinders in lagoons and estuaries... I havent used it personally but when I find it I am buying it, the Ryobi 500, amazing reel from what I have read and is awesome in every aspect, have a look at it, and if you find where to buy one please let me know!

Also the Quantum Triax 10 (Size 1000) is awesome, have used it and loved it, and it is a bit smaller than a Regal 1000 and Shimano FX 1000, so that could be a option too?

[zach]

I have the shimano sedona 500 matched with a shimano clarus ultra light rod.Very smooth little reel.Caught two kingies in the 500 g range on it at Kosi bay.Mine is filled with 6 pd braid.

[BJR]

@ WalkersKiller - I thought so , I did read yr articles on Micro Fishing. Will let you know if I find one.  Will have a look at the Quantam Triax. How does it stand up to the continuous use & salt ? @ zach - I saw them on Ebay, looks good - how does it stand up to the continuous use & salt ?
 

[WalkersKiller]

Quantum Triax stands up well used it daily for 3 weeks in December, still havent serviced it (Just rinsed it) and still using it now, for the price (R170) its a steal, smooth drag and just quality for the low price!

[BJR]

Sounds gr8 - will most defn take a look at it. Thks

[WalkersKiller]

Extremely light weight as well, probably lighter than the Okuma 100...

[BJR]

As long as the reel is small , balanced well with a light 6'6 light rod, then it will do the job.  Its not so much about the target species , its about casting those small lures -  the result will be big or small ...............& the fight the bonus of the day

[WalkersKiller]

Casted it on a 6' and a 5'6 and should definitely do the job!

[dannit]

Hey everybody, I'm new here.  My first post :)


If you want good value reels, look at the the Fin Nor Rampage.  I have a Fin Nor Rampage 4000 for fishing in rivers, estuaries and gullies for smaller fish.  I've had it for about 6 months and use it quite a lot.  No problems so far, very nice reel.  They're about R300 or something like that.  If you want something a bit more solid for the salt, then the Fin Nor Biscayne reels are very nice.  I haven't seen many of the smaller models around here, though.  I use the Fin Nor Biscayne 8000 for sea spinning, and it's a beautiful reel.  It's way too big for light tackle, but if you can find one of the smaller Biscayne models it'll serve you well.

[WalkersKiller]

 

[BJR]

@ dannit - Thks for the advice, will defn take a look at those. 

[Half-Pint]

Just my opinion but surely by looking for something smaller than a 1000 size youre limiting yourself a lot? Is there really that much difference between these other reels and a 1000 size if you step up that little bit you open up a world of possibilities. My first choice would be the shimano sienna. I have the older slade series and its an awrsome reel for its price point

[MIKE PIKE]

  Brad , for ultra light to light i would'nt go smaller than a 1000 size reel , 2000 to 2500 would be my minimum on a 6 ft to 7 ft  set up .

[Shaun17]

Hey everybody, I'm new here.  My first post :)


If you want good value reels, look at the the Fin Nor Rampage.  I have a Fin Nor Rampage 4000 for fishing in rivers, estuaries and gullies for smaller fish.  I've had it for about 6 months and use it quite a lot.  No problems so far, very nice reel.  They're about R300 or something like that.  If you want something a bit more solid for the salt, then the Fin Nor Biscayne reels are very nice.  I haven't seen many of the smaller models around here, though.  I use the Fin Nor Biscayne 8000 for sea spinning, and it's a beautiful reel.  It's way too big for light tackle, but if you can find one of the smaller Biscayne models it'll serve you well.

Howzit Dannit 

[BJR]

Point taken guys , I am already fishing with the model 1000 or 2000 upwards , & yes its fantastic fun , though I have invested in tiny lures , absolutely light in weight , a bit to light to be flipped with a 1000 outfit.  The outfit I intend to match should be very light almost ultra light & the small grinder.  Almost like the 2nd section of a fly-rod with tiny grinder.

As I said its all about casting those small lures & the result however big or small will be the reward. Obviously targeting small to medium species , though you cant tell a MAMMA not to eat if food is presented in front of her ! Then its a matter of hold on & hope ....

[dannit]

Or if you're feeling brave, consider a little KP

[Lenny]

If you can find a JFR Shimano , very basic reel , but bullet proof !

[miles]

Hiya

I'm going to go against the grain and advise you to buy the BEST reel you can afford. When it comes to ULTRA-LIGHT fishing, a SMOOOOOOTH drag is what is of utmost importance. This is where the cheaper/entry level reels fall short.

In South Africa, we are very limited in the models we get in the ULTRA LIGHT class. I've been fishing ULTRA-LIGHT tackle for the last number of years and have caught some very nice fish on such light tackle.

My wife's standard weapon of choice was a Shimano Symmetre 500 loaded with 6lb powerpro, matched to a Elbe Blue Crystal 5'9 rod. SMOOTH drag and did OK in the salt water environment. That little reel lasted for about 3 years, before the gears wore out, and many grunters have met their match on that set-up. Here's a couple of fish that fell to that specific outfit:













- Shimano Sedona 500 FD, also loaded with 6lb powerpro, on a 5'9 Shimano Sensilite rod. Because small 500 sized reels are almost impossible to find, i ended up buying what-ever reels i could get at the tackle shops. Not as smooth as the Symmetre, and the drag isn't as great as the Symmetre either, but still quite good for the price.


- Shimano Sedona 750 FB, also spooled with 6lb braid and mounted on a Shimano 6' Clarus. Pretty much the same as the Sedona 500FD.



- Mitchell Avocet II S500UL, spooled with 4lb powerpro. This was one of the first 500 sized reels i purchased a number of years ago. It's drag isn't as smooth as the Shimano's and the reel is still in quite a good condition, as it simply hasn't seen much use. That said, it has still landed it's fair share of large grunters and is still working like the day i bought it.






- Shimano Stradic Ci4 1000 Microline loaded with 4lb or 6lb powerpro. I was the first person in SA to have this reel in 2010. I bought the reel in the USA when it was just released there. Took almost 1.5 years before we got them in SA!! BRILLIANT little reel. It was VERY smooth, had a superb drag system and was made from carbon, which made it stronger than metal, lighter than metal reels and impervious to rust. The smallest size was a 1000 size, so that's what i bought. My wife loved the reel and i was handed the Symetre to use! I ended up buy a couple of Ci4 stradics, as they were simply that good.























- Shimano Stradic 1000 FJ loaded with 6lb powerpro mounted on Shimano Speedmaster 7' Drop Shot rods. To date, this has been THE best set-ups that we've used. Wifey had now banished the Ci4 from the boat!! That's how good the new Stradic FJ is. SUPERB drag system and RIDICULOUSLY smooth retrieve, thanx to the X-ship technology that has morphed into the Stradic range from the flagship Stella model. I now have 4 SHimano Stradic 1000 FJ's for my ultra-light work. My ONLY gripe is that they don't make them in a 500 size!! The Ci4 is indeed lighter in weight, but that's the only advantage it has.......

[miles]

Video clip of the end of a 20 minute fight with a large grunter on 6lb braid with the shimano symmtre 500

Zazu Nice Grunter part2.m2ts