Budget reel to match Heartland IM6

[breamy]

being new to catching bream (kingy fisho) Im at a loss for a reel due to my budget restrictions.

Im buying a heartland 2-8lb rod. Im wanting a reel to match, but my budget is less than $100.

Any ideas? Smaller the better. Im hoping to use this outfit for ultralight for pelagics as well, something in the 1500 size range would be great. But im realistic with my budget contraints to the likelihood of getting what you pay for.

[panger]

You can get an Okuma Avenger online at BM for I think $70. I use one as my primary reel and think it is great. Solid reel with an excellent drag. Can't do better for the price I reckon.

[CHUNQX]

If you can track down the old model Regal-X or Regal-S 1500iA they should be below the $100 mark and they are my reel of choice. I wouldn't consider the range before that one which is the Regal Z-T series because they don't have infinite anti reverse. The iA seriesare great for that money. Shimanos in that price range are not quite up to their standard. Only thing is, most big tackle shops would have sold them out a while ago.

[Mitch]

Yeah go the Okuma Avenger15. Good reel for the price just make sure you look after it unlike what I did with mine ;-)

My first bream combo was a Heartland IM6 matched with an Avenger15.

As Panger said, they're available from the online store.

Cheers

[breamy]

wow this forum rocks with the speed of replies. I guess breamo's are keen to talk.

the only options I see outside the av15 is

daiwa samurai 7i, but Im worried about rusty bearings.

and

shimmy aernos xt 2000, great reel, but isnt it heaps heavier than the av15 (cant find av15 weight specs, anyone know?)

[Muzz]

YES DEFINETLY THE OKUMA AVENGER AV-20. I have two on Heartlands IM-6's. They do have a good drag on them and for the price $69.95 from BM excellent value.

[chris_lemess]

Personally for $99 I'd go the Daiwa Caprice 1500. Never liked the AV20 - a bit too un-solid if that's a word - fair bit of handle play and quite heavy. Great for the price though, but I'd rather spend the extra little bit and get more of a finesse reel.

Hi Breamy,

The AV 15 is 250 grams, Av 20 is 266 grams. We sell them both here at Breammaster.

Cheers

Craig C

[CHUNQX]

I'm with Chris there... I wouldn't go near any reel that wasn't Daiwa, Shimano or Penn... If I had a budget I'd look for something in the Daiwa or Shimano first... I was a strictly shimano user before and due to budget constraints I had to try the Daiwa and am I glad I did!!! I would stay away from the Samurais though judging from the feedback by others who have used them.

[breamy]

well I have had a look around.

I can get a aernos 3000 on a steve starling 7' squidgy for $149, but I feel the reel is way overweight for this rod, I mean a 2-4kg rod should be matched with a reel which is rated at minimum of 2kg.

or

I can get a shimano sedona 1500 with a shimano Raider 2-4kg Ian Miller for $250. Is this a good deal, average deal, bad deal?

[Doomy]

Breamy,

I would say average deal.
I'll send you a PM with a better one.

[seacaptain]

I've seen good reels on ebay, a guy ships them over from singapore...he had a daiwa Laguna on there for $99 not long ago... has ocuma's inspiras on there too...cheap!

[Nath_18]

Hey Breamy your a fishnet.com user right?!?!?!
I own a samarah (mind the spelling) it's been great for me but im not a hardcore fish every night kind of guy and i treat my gear better than i treat myself. I would deffinetly check out the daiwa range (regal-x) it looks the stuff :D :D

chears, nathan

[breamy]

well I went with a Pflueger Trion 4025 and a shakespeare synergy in the end, $150.

I held the heartland and synergy side by side and tried the reel on each. The heartland was only fractionally better for mind, and at $50 difference I went with the synergy as this is a budget outfit.

The reel is awesome, I am loading it with 4lb fireline now.

I will be using a 10lb flurocarbon leader.

Well thanks everyone, I hope Im on the right track.

[chris_lemess]

First thing I'd do to that reel is pull it apart and grease it some more. Shakespeares (actually most brands) are never lubricated well enough straight out of the box. If you didn't know, Pfleugers are jazzed-up Shakespeares - think Mazda/Eunos or Toyota/Lexus. :)

Also the Shakespeare (and therefore Pfleuger) bearings are very susceptible to rust, so make sure you look after it and service it once a season.

Chris