unmamfqlm:

You can easily get a good quality spinning setup for 60 bucks. I prefer the baitcasters over the spinning outfits but they tend to be a little more expensive. personally I have only 2 spinning setups and 5 baitcasters.

Anyways I’m an all out Abu Garcia guy so thats about all I use. The quality of these rods/reels are amazing and they have a cheap price tag. I have three abu setups and got them all for under 80 bucks and have had them for about 3 years now, no problems at all out of them. I do happen to have a shimano setup and its nice as well. Im not sure of the exact model but its is a good setup. They have a great name when it comes to fishing. As for the others you listed i couldnt tell you, ive never happened to use them.

Bob:

From the 4 reels you listed I would go with the Pflueger President. A very nice reel for the money, smooth operation and well balanced. It’s distributed by Pure Fishing so it is well backed up for any problems that may come up.

The Mitchell 300XE would be ok, but putting it and the Pflueger side by side the Pflueger just feels better. The Mitchell reels are not the same as they were in the past. They have been completely re-designed and carry the name only. They are also handled by Pure Fishing so warranty is no issue with them either.

The reel that I would stay far away from is the Shimano Spirex, both the front drag model and especially the rear drag. I fish Shimano reels, but not this one. They just don’t have a good feel and the double handle is a pain in the ass. The rear drag has had problems and I don’t know if they have resolved them. I don’t recommend any rear drag reel, no one has made a good one. One of the shops that I do work for dropped these reels because of customer complaints.

I don’t know anything about the Bass Pro line so can’t say anything good or bad about them. Warranty might be a problem having to deal only with Bass Pro. All the others have wider distribution and easier to find parts and repair shops if needed.