float fishing gear question

[Rich]

I want to purchase a spinning reel for a 9 foot med light weight rod that I already have.  I would like to use this setup for float fishing or when I am forced to fish with lighter weight.  My other setup is an 8 foot Lami with a Curado.  The lami is too stiff to cast light stuff or at least I can't do it and still look cool!     And line type/weight suggestions would be great too.  Thanks

Rich

[Fish]

I would say stick with a Shimano and depending on your cash flow you can get the Sahara 2500 for around $40.00 or the Symetre 2500 for around $60.00, I have both models and have no complaints, the Symetre has 2 more ball bearings, I personally haven't noticed a difference between them so far.

As for line its a personal choice? If you like Braid I suggest 20lb test Power Pro, if its mono I'd go with some 10lb test Izore Line or Berkley Trilene XL Clear 10lb, both very good spinning reel line.

[Tee Jay]

I've got to agree with Fish on this.  I've had good luck with the 2500 Shimano reels and they get more expensive as you start adding ball bearings.  I typically fish Ultragreen mono but these reels work well for braided lines too.  If you're fishing mono, the lighter the line, the easier it will be to cast small weights.  I usually fish 6lb test mono in the summer...no more than 8lb for sure.      

[Brian]

These guys pretty much covered my thoughts, Shimano makes good quality reels, but there are others out there such as the Okuma's that I have heard good things about.

[Clipfin]

It's my first year using a float and jig and I got a new setup with a Shimano Symetre 2500, I use Fireline in the Hi Vis color. I love it and have caught 12 Steelhead so fare this season. Try on Ebay....you might save a few bucks, I got mine there.  Good luck.

[meanpressure]

I use a shimano 1000 and 4000. I use stren superbraid in 14lb and 20lb. With fluoro leaders and have been having good luck with
this setup. I have them on a 9 foot loomis and a 9 foot st croix.

[nick]

I'm also a Symetre fan. I have 2. $52 and $54 bucks on Ebay. One with 20lb braided, one with 30lb braided. Sometimes PowerPro, sometimes Tuff-Line. I won't ever go back to mono for main line. 

[Rich]

Thanks for the info guys.  Is braid better for float fishing?  Does it float?  Can you use it for drift also?  Tough to break off if you need too, I bet.  I have always used mono, except for sturgeon and ocean salmon.  Thanks again.

Rich

[BC Steel]

I started using Berkley Ironsilk again just a few weeks ago. The first time I tried it I had a mid line break off with 12 main and 6 leader so I came home and stripped it all off and put Mas 10 UG back on. Then I realized that earlier in the day I had smacked myself in the face with my rod when I had a lit smoke going... maybe the smoke touched the line? Anyways, I have it back on now and have landed about 10 steelys on it and I love the line. 12 lb I.S. is thinner than 10lb Max and seems to be just as strong. It floats quite well and flows off the center pin like it was made especially for it. It is stiffer than max ug so I dont know how it would go on a level wind but so far I'm loving it on the pin.

[Phil]

Shimanos are the best reels I've used.  I've been through quite few reels and consider them the best.  You will not regret buying one.
I'd say, however, that the overall quality of reels has improved over the years.  I recently bought an UL Abu combo for $40 bucks that has a great little reel on it.  Likewise, I bought a Mitchell combo for $30 (on sale) as a gift and the reel is really slick.  Inflation adjusted, reels are a great value these days.  I think Okuma has really put the low price, high quality pressure on.
Power Pro line is much better than the old superlines I fooled with years ago.  I'd recommend it, but then again, I know dork about superline.
You should think about getting a longer rod one day.  (No, not the SPAM extenders...)  A ten foot or so rod fishes really well.
Good luck. 

[SciGuy]

I really like my Okuma Epixor 30 for steel and its only about $50.  Don't give up on baitcasters for float fishing tough.  I just paired a Lami X106 MLC with a Curado that has "super free"...casts the light stuff great and it is easier to extend you drift using a baitcaster.

[First Bite]

Here's another vote for the Shimano Symetre.  I've had both the 2500 & 4000 series and they have all been great. 

Okuma is another option.  I must have got a couple Okuma reels that were made on a Monday because one lasted six fish and the insides were torn up so bad I barely landed the last fish.  The other reel would have a heck of a time closing the bail and also the gears seemed awfully rough for being new.  These were the Metaloid model.