The Reel Review II (Guest Review)
by Bill Schultz

Last summer I had a chance to test a number of outstanding reels and wrote my “Reel Review” on that first group of reels for River Smallies. Knowing how interested all of you are in information on reels I thought you’d enjoy a “Reel Review II” on another batch of reels. Some on this site “torture test” reels before commenting on them, which can be helpful. However, I tend to be more careful with my reels, so my reviews are simply my thoughts after normal use after fishing them for a period of weeks. This use does include the occasional rainstorm, but doesn’t include dropping, stepping on, closing in doors, being chewed by the pet, taking a swim in a muddy river, etc.

All of these reels were used in similar situations during nine days of smallie fishing in Door County, Wisconsin during June, plus some smallie fishing on rivers the past couple of months. Door County is the “thumb” of Wisconsin sticking out into Lake Michigan. The Green Bay side of the peninsula is especially well-known for some of the best smallie fishing in the country, and is an area I’ve fished almost 100 days each late spring and early summer since 1995.

The reels were matched with a variety of medium-light and medium action 6’6” and 7’ St. Croix Avid rods. In most cases I was using Silver Thread Excalibur line in 6# and 8# test, but also took this opportunity to use Power Pro 20# and 30# test line for the first time.

I hope you find this information helpful.

Shimano’s “New” Symetre 1500
Like many of you I’ve been a big fan of the Shimano reels for years and over the past five or six years the Symetre has been my favorite. With this said I was anxiously awaiting the new design, and having a chance to fish it in the new 1500 size. Well, the wait was worth it and I’ve been nothing but impressed. The larger spool now handles four, six and eight pound test line with ease, which makes it perfect for many of us smallie guys who stick with these line weights, or diameters, when using something like Power Pro. The 1500 handles 170 yards of 4# test line, 130 yards of 6# and 90 yards of 8#.

With the new design the Symetre has joined the Stradic, Sustain and Stella as an S Concept family member. The new design offers anglers a bigger spool and smaller body for a lighter more comfortable experience without sacrificing capacity. The Symetre now has Anti-Rust Bearings along with a change to the floating shaft that increases smoothness and durability. The total bearings stay at four ball and one roller bearing. Also new this year is a cold forged aluminum spare spool and amazingly the MSRP actually dropped by $5 to $79.95.

One of the things I liked last year with the new Stradic was the maintenance port for direct drive train lubrication. The Symetre has this feature, though the screw looks different. I’ve had a chance to put quite a few hours on this reel and it continues to impress. I love the fast 6.1:1 gear ratio so when I’m finished making a presentation I can get the lure in fast for another go at those smallies.

I also am a big fan of the small bail wire. It’s very easy to work during the casting and fishing process, without getting in the way. This is a front drag reel, which I prefer. I normally backreel, but when needed, the drag has performed flawlessly and is very smooth. The Instant Anti-Reverse switch is on the underside of the reel. I prefer this switch to be on the back of the reel like it is on the Stradic, but it is big enough to find fairly quickly when you have a big fish on and want to back reel. This 9.5 ounce reel matched with the light Avid rods is a combination that is sure to spoil you.
www.shimano.com

St. Croix Premier
Last season I had the pleasure of testing the St. Croix Avid 2000 series spinning reel and if you read my review you know I was very impressed with the reel. That’s why I was anxious to give the St. Croix Premier 2000 series a try when it was added to St. Croix’s line-up this year.

The Premier features three premium stainless-steel ball bearings and one roller bearing. Like the Avid it has the Advanced Ballistic System reverse-tapered aluminum spool, Infinite Anti-Reverse, Twistbuster line twist reduction design, Bailsafe system which locks the bail open on outcasts, gyro balancing for wobble-free retrieves, a high performance WET drag system and a graphite spare spool. All this in a light 9.3 ounce rigid aluminum-alloy body with a powerful 4.7:1 gear ratio.

The Premier reel is rated for 135 yards of 6# test line, 110 yards of 8# and 90 yards of 10#. I’ve already caught numerous nice smallies with this reel during the summer and it’s performed just great. Like the Symetre, its light weight makes for a well-balanced outfit when fished on one of the St. Croix rods. I also like the compact bail wire which functions well and doesn’t get in the way during casts or while fishing. The drag is smooth, works great and I’m happy the Instant Anti-Reverse switch is on the back of the reel. The St. Croix Premier is quite a nice little package for a suggested retail price of $60. You should definitely consider this reel, you’ll like it.
www.stcroixrods.com

Abu Garcia Cardinal 672
The new Cardinal 672 is the first Abu Garcia spinning reel I’ve spent much time with. From the first time I picked it up I was impressed with its light 7.8 ounces. I’ve always been drawn to lighter reels, which helps eliminate fatigue over the course of a day of tossing lures.

The patented one-piece aluminum stem/gear box is stronger and maintains gear alignment for the life of the reel. Other features include the even-line-lay oscillation system, oversized line roller, quick spool disconnect system, two skirted spools, Instant Anti-Reverse and reversible handle with soft touch knobs.

The folks at Abu Garcia tell me this light, little powerhouse is the strongest and lightest saltwater spinning reel on the market and is built with corrosion protected stainless steel components. It features the patented Stamina drag system located at the base of the spool. Built with Teflon, graphite and stainless components the Stamina drag has 240 percent more drag surface and produces 35 percent less heat than conventional drags. The drag is sealed for additional saltwater protection.

Even though it was designed for saltwater, it’s also a great freshwater reel, boasting 7 stainless steel bearings and holds 150 yards of 6# test line, 110 yards of 8# and 90 yards of 10# test line. I these line capacities amazing for a reel this light and compact.

Like all the reels in this review I was able to give this a great test in Door County and caught quite a few nice smallies with it, some in the four-pound range. I was pleased with its overall performance. I like the Stamina drag adjustment which is on the reel’s body just below the spool. It’s very easy to use and adjust, along with being very smooth. The bail wire isn’t quite as small as the Symetre, but close. I tend to like a faster gear ration, but the 5.1:1 is still fine. One item that I wish was a little bigger is the Instant Anti-Reverse switch, which is small and on the underside of the reel. When this is located on the underside of the reel, I’d like it to be a little bigger so it’s easier to find in the heat of fighting a big smallie.

Overall I found this to be a very nice reel that retails for $74.95. It also comes in a 674 size that weighs 10.4 ounces and holds 200 yards of 10# test line with a gear ratio of 4.9:1. The 674 carries the same price.
www.abu-garcia.com

Okuma Inspira 20
Last year in my first “Reel Review” I included the Okuma Inspira 15. I invite you to go back in the Product Review section on this site and read what I had to say, because as you will read, I was very impressed.

All the features and my thoughts from that review also apply to the Inspira 20, which I fished with the other reels in this review during June in Door County Wisconsin. Bottom-line, like the 15 series, it’s a tremendous reel. The Inspira is my favorite of all the Okumas I’ve fished and tested.

The Inspira 20 performed superbly. At 11.1 ounces, it’s a little heavier than the other reels, but when matched with the medium action St. Croix rods it wasn’t overly noticeable. I also wish the bail wire was a little smaller, but it was very easy to become comfortable with. The Inspira 20 has a powerful 5.0:1 gear ratio which is a little slower than I like, but just what many of you want. This is an attractive, well-built reel.

As I said about the Inspira 15, this is one sweet reel and with the ability to buy this 11 ball bearing fishing tool for $84.95, it’s a great value.
www.okumafishing.com

Abu Garcia Ambassadeur D5 Series Baitcaster
I primarily use spinning gear for the fishing I do, but I do enjoy using baitcasters from time-to-time. What can really spoil the fun with a baitcaster is a backlash. Abu Garcia claims the new Ambassadeur D5 Series is the world’s easiest casting baitcaster on the market. I’ve not used all the baitcasters on the market, but I’ve used some pretty good ones and without a doubt this is the easiest baitcaster I’ve ever used, and without the backlash problem. They’ve done it with the Smart Drag brake system, with two patents, that combines magnetic and mechanical brake adjustment with one single dial.

Because one dial adjusts the entire brake system, any setting is just a touch away for quick responses to changing fishing conditions and different lures. For experienced baitcaster users, simply set the brake with the lure dropping slowly.

The Swedish built reel is small and light for complete angling comfort. The reel seat is recessed more than the usual reel for easy palming. The precision click star drag allows the angler to more accurately lighten or tighten drag settings while playing the fish. The 6600D5 includes a line-out alarm.

The D-Series has 5 stainless steel ball bearings with a powerful and fairly fast gear ratio of 5.3:1. The 5600 D5 only weighs 8.9 ounces and the 6600 D5 weighs in at a light 9.3 ounces. The 5600 holds 205 yards of 12# test line and the 6600 holds 245 yards of 12#.

The 5600 D5 performed flawlessly throwing spinnerbaits and Smithwick Suspending Rattlin Rogues. Best of all, no backlashes, which is a first for me. At a suggested retail of $94.95 for the 5600 D5 and $104.95 for the 6600 D5 you should definitely consider the D-Series for your next baitcaster.
www.abu-garcia.com

Okuma Induron
Another Okuma reel all you baitcasters may want to check out is the new Okuma Induron. I haven’t had the opportunity to put as many hours on this reel as some of the others, but I’ve been impressed.

The Induron 150 is a solid 11.5 ounces with a body that’s machine cut from bar stock aluminum. It has the same precision engineering that goes into Okumas tournament grade off-shore reels and features seven ball stainless steel ball bearings and a one-way roller bearing. The drag on this reel is very impressive featuring a six-disc Rulidium and stainless steel system. It has a Titanium coated line guide and centrifugal cast control system.

The Induron 150 holds 210 yards of 8#, 180 yards of 10# and 130 yards of 12# test line. The reel also comes in a 250 and 400 sizes for those needing more line capacity. At a suggested retail of $99.99, this reel has the feel of a more expensive reel and I would guess, like the other Okuma reels, has great durability.
www.okumafishing.com