Boatless Fishing Forum, Reports, Info

I heard a discussion between two men about the pros & cons of various reels. One made a comment stating that the majority of reels sold in blister packs were not of high quality. The term "high quality" can be defined in many ways. Is there any merit to his comment?

Ham wrote:I heard a discussion between two men about the pros & cons of various reels. One made a comment stating that the majority of reels sold in blister packs were not of high quality. The term "high quality" can be defined in many ways. Is there any merit to his comment?

better question...whats a blisterpack reel?

Go to walmart!

Ham wrote:Go to walmart!

That says enough, nevermind.

Buy what you can afford and what fits your needs. Not everyone can afford nor needs Accurates and Stellas.

fishnfool73 wrote:Buy what you can afford and what fits your needs. Not everyone can afford nor needs Accurates and Stellas.

I damn sure cant afford stella's or accurates or van stalls, thats for sure. But...

My arsenal includes a $100 penn combo and a reel I bought from someone, and a rod...thats it.

The average angler on this site doesn't need Accurates or Stellas. No need to go into debt buying a 2 speed Accurate to fish piers and local headboats. Unless you have expendable cash no reason not to stick to Toriums Saltists or Penns. Plenty of fish caught on those.

fishnfool73 wrote:The average angler on this site doesn't need Accurates or Stellas. No need to go into debt buying a 2 speed Accurate to fish piers and local headboats. Unless you have expendable cash no reason not to stick to Toriums Saltists or Penns. Plenty of fish caught on those.

I have stated several times before, I had a torium 30 on a bass pro 9ft rod, I LOVED that reel, I caught NUMEROUS fish with it. This is my first penn reel, that I have bought, because the torium setup would have been over $400 after taxes, and I wasnt looking to spend more then $250 for a combo and a 10-12ft rod. I got the Penn Defiance 30 combo and a 10ft 12-30lbs bass pro rod for $238. Just under my $250 limit.

I own a pair of Shakespeare Dimension spinning reels that came in blister packs from Wally World. I can't visibly or practically tell any difference between them and my President. The parts are interchangeable. I'd happily own more of them... granted they aren't Saltwater reels, they're great for all purpose freshwater applications.

New Heritage Fishing wrote:I own a pair of Shakespeare Dimension spinning reels that came in blister packs from Wally World. I can't visibly or practically tell any difference between them and my President. The parts are interchangeable. I'd happily own more of them... granted they aren't Saltwater reels, they're great for all purpose freshwater applications.

Most spin reels in that tier will have interchangeable parts with the Pflueger's of the same size, the design was interchanged among their parent company which I think owns Penn and also OEM's for several other companies. They just add their own touches when its done. Fish what you can afford and don't go broke trying to enjoy it, nobody should judge you for living within your means.

i have bought plenty of quantum reels from blister packs and still useing them today , just how you take care of them and dont abuse them , hell one is almost 5 years old and only now needing a new handle ..

fishnfool73 wrote:Buy what you can afford and what fits your needs. Not everyone can afford nor needs Accurates and Stellas.

I couldn't agree more. Expensive equipment is nice but certainly not needed for most boatless fishermen, buy what you can afford and have fun, it's all about the fish, the gear is secondary.
These freshwater guys pooh pooh at anything less than a st croix or loomis, with a supertuned core and 65# braid for a 3# fish. I just loved when one of them told me his 20# brown trout would outfight anything in saltwater pound for pound, guess he never caught a permit.

I have gone full circle on this topic. When I started pier and bridge fishing the first reels I owned were 505 jigmasters. i also owned various Penn spinning reels. The first "custom rods" came from Gus at Anglins a long time ago. (I still have them} Over the years I've owned Van Stalls, Accurates, Pro Gears, and spent a small fortune. What do I have now? Two Jigmasters and various Penn spinning reels. Stick with what you can afford. Trust me, all the custom gear in the world don't make fish bite any better.

popokawidave wrote: I have gone full circle on this topic. When I started pier and bridge fishing the first reels I owned were 505 jigmasters. i also owned various Penn spinning reels. The first "custom rods" came from Gus at Anglins a long time ago. (I still have them} Over the years I've owned Van Stalls, Accurates, Pro Gears, and spent a small fortune. What do I have now? Two Jigmasters and various Penn spinning reels. Stick with what you can afford. Trust me, all the custom gear in the world don't make fish bite any better.

Great advice. Hard to beat a good old 505hs or a squidder, a couple of spinfishers and maybe an ambassadeur 5000 to cover most every situation with basic reels. They may be heavy and lack the fancy anodizing, but they have great drags and are easy to service yourself.
Wow, I remember Gus and Will and a few others from back in the day. Good people.