Planning to order a 9'9" Loomis spinning rod for use with floats for summer and winter steelies. I plan to run a spool of Power Pro and a spool of 8# test monofilament. I like the looks of Shimano's Spirex reel, but wish I could hear some input on spinning reels for steelies...been using a baitcaster so long I've forgotten what to look for. What do you run for float fishing? Baitcast or spin? Carbon line or mono? Thanks for your input...

I really like the Stradic 2000, for the bigger rivers up North you might look at the 4000, but the Stradic is worth the extra money.... I have five and uses them in many different situations... steelies, choh, floats, etc... they are very nice, and if you shop around you can find them under $100.

TH
www.thcustomrods.com

I like the Shimano Symetre, very smooth. Contrary to what most people like I prefer the rear drag.........don't ever seem to have any problems with it and it's easy to adjust.

I like the Spirex 2000 with rear drag for steelhead and a 4000 for fall.Great reel for the price.TM

First post on this board. Have enjoyed lurking for a while but may as well get my feet wet. A baitcaster is definitely the way to go if you're primarily going to use the rod for float fishing. Far superior control in this case over a spinning reel.

I would have to say for the spining reel , go with the stradic, but the symetry is nice too. They are both very smooth reels and you can get a pretty good deal on the reels @ bigfish tackle or tackledirect.com. Tackledirect seems to be a little cheaper and they are very reliable. Good Luck

...so it looks like either a Stradic or a Symetre...but rear drag or forward? It seems the rear would be easier to adjust when fighting a fish, but I've been told the washers are much smaller on rear drag systems and wear quicker. I this so?

Also, is the "Quickfire" gizmo on the Spirex a waste of plastic? I notice the other two don't have that feature...

Thanks for all of your prompt replies! I appreciate the input.

The quickfire trigger is great if your running a boat with one hand and casting with the other.........as far as I'm concerned it just adds more weight. As for the rear drag I've had no problem with mine and I've been using them for years.

Go with the Stradic 4000. It has an inner bail so it is less likely to mess up your line. The quick fire is just another thing to mess with your line.

The couple of shimanos I have with quickfire I don't really like. When you go to set the hook there can be a LOT of "play". I love my stradic 2000 with super stopper. There is absolutely no play for a solid hookset.

I wonder why Shimano doesn't make a 3000 model spinning reels? They make 500,1000,2000, & 4000 models. Just a thought that ran across my mind.

[This message has been edited by Eddie L (edited 12-02-2000).]

I agree, Eddie. The 2000 seems a bit small, and the 4000 a bit big. Line capacity is a concern: is 120 yds of 8 lb test enough? I don't think I've ever had a fish go that far on me, tho I've seen it happen...

...definately think I'll go for a rear drag system, based on Jigman's comments. But a 2000, or a 4000?

...thanks again for all your help--here on the island it's impossible to simply hop in the car and head to the rack of reels at the local tackle shop...

The 4000 is a big reel! I use the 2000 for everything through 12 pound line and if you jump heavier than that you need the 4000.

I bought a Stradic 2000 with the front drag earlier this season and just love it, looked at the 4000 when I bought it, I thought about the difference in weight over the course of the day that's why I went eith the 2000. It's on a IMX STR 1082, awesome combination!!!!! Front or rear drag, whichever you decide go with the Stradic or no less than the Symetre.
Good luck and tight lines, Jeff