Can any recommend a good reel for my son

[pauljack]

Hi,
My son is looking for a half decent reel, he has owned some chea and cheerful reels yet is now ready for something better, i have been looking at shimanos on ebay, the shimano stradic 3000m in particular although this is a littl out of his price range, can anyone recommend a decent reel for around the £50 mark second hand.

He generlly float fishes for Tench and carp upto about 10lb, he does sometimes feed fish as well.

Regards

Paul

[chazyboi]

take a look at the okuma range amazing value reels have a look at the okuma octane 8 bearings 40 quid or epx pro pleanty ov bearings and reliable ive used em for years and they are top sellers in america or any daiwa british quality,,shims are overpriced

[BoldBear]

I agree with Chazyboi, Okuma make excellent reels at a less expensive price than Shimano.

Failing that have a look on ebay there always seem to be a few Shimano reels for sale on there (see below).

< Shimano Baitrunners on Ebay >

[martin56]

Hi Paul - my late father (& good angler) wouldn't allow me to own a fixed spool reel until i'd mastered the centre pin - it seemed a bit mean @ the time as all the other kids i knew had fixed spool reels.
I'm now 54 & now fully appreciate what he was getting at - centre pin fishing is one of the most pleasureable forms of fishing, you're in full control of even the biggest of fish, doesn't matter if you loose some line (no minimum fill of spool for casting) I use a LEEDS reel (well i have 3 actually) which you can buy for around 50 - £60 (maybe cheaper off e-bay)
Your son may not like the idea @ first but believe me he'll thank you in later life, as i did mine especially if you're an angler youself & able to teach him.
Takes quite alot of practice @ first but when he gets it right he'll love it.
By all means get a fixed spool (buy the best you can afford though as some are pretty poor) A 2nd hand Mitchel Match reel will last him a life time, & ALL the Mitchel models ( Match,300 & 301) spools are inter-changeable, has an AUTOMATIC bale arm & was made when proper old fashioned engineering was a given. Just something to think about.
Regards.
Martin.

[martin56]

p.s i buoght my first Mitchel Match reel around 1980 & it still works like new - even after much use.
I then bought a second one just because it took my fancy to own another 2nd hand for £20.
Only thing wrong with it though is the anti reverse lever is a bit sloppy so check out properly for functions (i didn't) Any one know how to fix this?????
Martin.

[chris.oldgit]

as martin says on fbay they have some 440a reels, auto bail arm, push button spool change, 1 shallow 1 deep spool, had mine 30years, never any problems with line around the back of the spool etc, some going for silly money, on fbay, will never need another, unless abused,

[martin56]

p.s i buoght my first Mitchel Match reel around 1980 & it still works like new - even after much use.
I then bought a second one just because it took my fancy to own another 2nd hand for £20.
Only thing wrong with it though is the anti reverse lever is a bit sloppy so check out properly for functions (i didn't) Any one know how to fix this?????
Martin.

[chris.oldgit]

send it in for service, cost about £20, full service as well as repair

[martin56]

Thanks for that chris - i've asked JIM'S REEL SHOP for a quote for both of my 440A's (one for sloppy anti reverse lever, other one is a bit ropey on the slippping clutch - though both are still useable as they are).
Even the best tackle needs some TLC @ some time.
Thanks again.
Martin.

[chris.oldgit]

sent mine to michells, came back like new