San Diego & SoCal Fishing Forums

Hi everyone I’m new to bass fishing and wanted to get your pro opinion on what reel should I get for largemouth bass looking for a spinning reel around 350 bucks. Im new to it so need some help i go trout fishing and have a vanford1000 and love it but not sure if it would be ass good for bass fishing. Thought of getting a 2500 size one

I wish I could help you out, but I gave up spinning reels long ago for bass. If I need to throw something finesse that I'd normally use a spinning reel for, I use BFS gear instead. Why do you want to go spinning? nothing wrong with it at all, just curious.

For bass fishing I seldom use a spinning rod, but when I do I have a couple reels that work well for me.
I have a Daiwa Ballistic EX 2500H Spinning Reel which I usually use 8lb test on it for lighter baits, flukes
blades, ned rigs, drop shots, under spins, some crankbaits etc.
I also have a Daiwa Tatula LT 4000-CXH Spinning Reel which has 20lb braid on it. I prefer the bigger
reel when fishing and landing bass. To me, It gives you more leverage to bring that bass in.
So each fisherman has what works for them and others have opinions on what reels work
best, but for me anything in the 3000 range probably would do the job.
Hope this helps

Just had a bad experience with bait casters

Honestly, if you're not trying to qualify for the Bassmaster's Classic, I'd get another spool for the Vanford 1000 that you have. You can put 100 yards of 6 or 7 pound test, or do the braid to flouro and you'd be set.

While the 2000/2500 frame size is more ideal for bass fishing, I fished with a Stradic 1000 for a decade with zero problems.

But, if you do want to get a spinning reel for bass with a budget of 350, I'd go with a Sustain 2500.

But, personally, I've moved away from the US models simply because of the spools. A 2500 carries 200 yards of 6 pound test. Why on earth do I need 200 yards of 6 pound test?

What I've found to be perfect are the JDM models, in the 2500 size, but with shallow spools.

This is what I currently use today:



It's a Shimano 24 Twin Power 2500SHG

Carries about 100 yards of 6 pound test, which for me, is the perfect configuration for SoCal bass.

If you do go this route, realize that Shimano USA may not honor warranties and parts may be hard to find (if you ever need them.) So far, with maintenance and care, none of my JDM Shimanos have experienced any problems.

Also, Ebay is a great place to source used JDM Shimanos. In all my experiences, the reels have been near mint, and I've gotten many at amazing prices.

Tony6469 wrote: Thu Mar 27, 2025 7:59 am Just had a bad experience with bait casters

Backlashing?

A 2500 size reel for $70 is going to be nice for most bass fishing, a $350 reel isn't going to have much smoother drag or cast much further. Spool it with 12 lb Daiwa J-braid and it will work for most applications. I have a Shimano Sedona reel that works well, there's lots of other good choices too.

Rod is just as important as the reel, sometimes more so. I like the 7'2" Shimano drop shot Crucial rods I have. They work fine for casting about any medium light bass lure, not just a drop shot.

For drop shot, I will often use a 1000 size reel on the rods just to get a lighter setup to better feel the bites.

I stand with Gotfish? A Sedona (or same class, doesn’t have to be a Shimano) and spend more on the rod

Thanks everyone really help me out

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