Saltwater/Freshwater Reel wanted??

[sparky1423]

Looks like I will be diving into some brackish and saltwater eventually with the meet and greets. Since I am geared towards freshwater fishing, I could use some advice for a good all round saltwater "work horse" reel. I am looking to spend around $200 or less. I would use this reel for Bay bridge, tog fishing and other related areas and fish. I was hoping to stay with a spinning reel for now, so I can use on an occasional flats trip. What I own now:

2- ultralight set ups for trout
1 - Lews New BB1 baitcaster for bass (5.1:1)
1 - Shimano Citica 200G6 baitcaster for bass (6.4:1)
1 - Penn Fierce 6000 with 9' rod for surf
1 - Penn 103 (old beater reel I have not used for years)
1 - Abu Garcia Cardinal 102i spinning (this is my most used reel )...bearings are destroyed in my 106i, had to retire after pickerel trip.

I know I could use my penns, but I am not sure if the 6000 is an overkill? I don't even know if the 103 would be able to hold up, looks like a walmart clearance item! I also could use the Cititca, but I am a little protective of my freshwater stuff! Eventually, I will be purchasing a saltwater grade baitcaster for these heavier fish...but that's another topic. Thanks in advance for the replies.

[Shady]

I have two Citicas that I use in salt and fresh. One of them is about 8 years old and the other is 1 year old. The 8 year old Citica was my Tog setup, but I am upgrading to a trevala w/lexa.
As long as you rinse your gear with fresh water after each trip on the salt it will hold up.

[J.A. Veil]

I have upgraded my entire fleet of spinning rigs to Shimano Stradics. For me it gives the best level of performance for the price. It also offers a slightly faster gear ratio than most other reels. This means that for one crank of the handle, you retrieve a bit more line.

I have them in 1000 size for my ultralights (pickerel, perch, small rockfish), and 2500 and 3000 size for LTJ, trolling, and casting for larger fish. Every few years Shimano comes out with a new model of the Stradic (designated with a letter). The current series is the "FJ" series. They typically run about $180 at retail, with only limited sale prices due to manufacturer controlled pricing. Last winter I picked up several reels from the previous "FI" series that were still new in the box. The price was significantly reduced. I can personally recommend that reel if you can find one at a good price.

If you want a baitcasting reel, I cannot help you -- I do not use them. Others on this forum prefer baitcasters and can offer excellent advice.

Just as a heads up for some potential discounts, Marty's Tackle Shop in Edgewater is offering 15% off cash purchases and 10% off credit/debit card purchases on April 3 (certain items that have controlled pricing, like the current line of Stradic reels, is not included in the discount) as part of the Severn River Rod and Keg Club's April meeting. The SRRKC will meet at Marty's in late afternoon for shopping, then will move a few blocks down the street to Adams Ribs, which will have some special dinner items and happy hour pricing all night for the group.

[chex]

$200 is plenty for a very nice reel. Like Mr. Veil, I have a stradic (2500 I think) and it is indeed a nice reel. You said you prefer to stay with spinning, but when I think "work horse", for tog or bigger stripers, I automatically picture a conventional or larger baitcaster, just because I feel they are more rugged with less moving parts, and you are able to put more pressure on the fish just by virtue of the spool being perpendicular to the line. That said, I know a lot of people use spinning reels for all sorts of situations and prefer them. The above is just my personal opinion.

[ronaultmtd]

I'm old school- revolving spool reels are what I grew up using- high dollar UL baitcasting reels can toss lures as light as 1/16 oz...that said, I have used spinning gear and own two UL spinning combos- like others have advised- flushing with fresh water after using in salt usually does the trick and a quick shot of CLP or WD-40 wiped down afterwards, does the routine maintenance until my once a year tear down- I am more focused on the size of the fish targeted than the "fresh water reel" or "Salt water reel" designation- a big blue catfish is tough on traditional fresh water reels, especially high speed gear ratio reels- the weight is just too much pressure on a weak gear ratio- high speed gearing is great for buzz baits and small fish, but hang on a 40 inch rockfish or a big red drum and the high speed gearing is suspect- standard gearing is best for all around fishing- in a kayak there is only so much pressure you can put on a fish before you are on a sleigh ride, so it doesn't make sense to have a big game reel like a Penn 6/0 Senator- medium tackle is the way to go- you can use it for catching just about everything- LM Bass, Tiger Musky, SM bass, snakeheads, crappie, catfish, stripers, trout, etc.

I have caught some really big fish on my UL combos- it took a while and you can't lose patience and horse the fish, but it can be done- Last year I had two really big rays I brought to the boat and got the hooks (saved my X-Rap lures) out on my Revo baitcaster trolling St. J's creek for stripers- I fought these two rays for almost an hour before they let me take the hooks out of them- patience, no high sticking the rods, and steady pressure makes fresh water tackle win on bigger salt water fish-

However, I am upgrading my bait caster arsenal to a new combo- a new Lamiglas rod and a Lexa 300H- do I really need it? Naw, not really- I have plenty of rigs- more than a dozen including many never used - not even once- but I have a bad case of "wants."

[sparky1423]

I've officially got an addiction! Someone's gotta put a leash on me when it comes to fishing gear! Anyway, ended up getting a shimano saragosa 5000f with AND a trevala M jigging rod. Why you ask, still trying to figure that out.

I figure by mixing and matching my arsenal, I have all my bases covered. Well... Almost, one more item but that can wait. Thanks again for all the input, we will cross lines soon.

[MTDluvsFishin]

You'll enjoy that Saragosa. It's a great reel for the Salt. I currently have the 18000 and also had the 5000 but sold it as it just didn't have the line capacity I wanted. They have great drags, smooth and powerful, and are a tank of a reel.

Just give it a fresh water rinse after each trip, maybe a drop of bearing lube on the line roller every now and again. I'm a big proponent of having your reels fully serviced once a year. They'll last forever that way.