Best "entry-level" spinning reel?

Hi all.

So been looking at getting a new spinning reel in the 5000 size range without spending crazy amounts. Something under R1000. I know you pay for what you get but, it seems like there are some very decent "cheaper" reels nowadays that one can use for yellowtail for example.

I still have the older FD model which has landed yellowtail, leeries and some decent kingies. It's a small reel but, has really impressed me. So what's your guys thoughts. Thinking along the lines of the big boss and wanted to hear if anyones tried the new Sienna 4000FE.

Thanks
Barry
 

Blikkiesvis

Sealiner
Morning Barry

A friend of mine wanted to buy a new spinning reel to use on the river in Witsand. After we convinced him that Stradic FJ was way to go he went and bought a Sienna FD 4000 (the previous model). Long story short, he hooked into a Diamond ray of about 30kgs and after about a 20min fight landed the fish. I was really surprised at how well the reel handled the fish, especially the drag.

So, I would say a Sienna 4000 would be a safe bet. Dont know the new model though, but with Shimano's track record, should be good!

You can also look at a Fin Nor Lethal Spin 40, if you can find one within your budget.
 

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hi

I have a couple of reels in your price class, and the sienna is the best value for money. I have the old ones and recently bought the new one. very nice. To me it better value than say the Sedona or Sahara. The Sedone and Sahara is just nicer looking.

Don't have any experience with other brands though
 

jonathanw

Member
Hi Barry,

I have a couple of older sienna FD 2500 and 4000, to me they are the ak 47 of budget reels, they have never let me down, the are dead simple to take apart and service, I use them from the dams to the sea, really great value for money. I also have the newer sienna FE very smooth, only thing not to fond of is that it has only 1 ball bearing vs 4 of the old sienna and it operates on bushings (less can go wrong but with extensive use will wear down quickly, the spool design also updated a bit but, the price is a bit higher ( I paid R600 for the sienna 2500 fe), I will def try and buy a few more older siennas to keep in storage, they have proved their value over manytimes :)

Regards

Jonathan
 

flippy

Sealiner
had my Sienna for about 5 years with stella service and many a fish caught.. could see it was down and out and took it for a service after replacement reel was found not to be a magnet for fish.. reel came back about as good as new after first ever service after 5 years + and picked up where it left off catching fish.. so that Sienna a good bet and one for sale in classifieds

also a reel to look for will be the Penn Fierce http://www.ganis.co.za/pi1705/fishing-reels/spinning-reels/conventional-spinning-reels/penn-fierce-ii-spinning.html

received better reviews than the Penn battle 2 :shock:

https://www.amazon.com/Penn-Fierce-II-Spinning-Reel/dp/B017TY3SVW/ref=pd_sbs_200_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B017TY3SVW&pd_rd_r=HFD56EV4Z0GCC0HKY3MP&pd_rd_w=z699n&pd_rd_wg=E7z4j&refRID=HFD56EV4Z0GCC0HKY3MP Fierce review at bottom of page

https://www.amazon.com/Penn-Battle-4000-Spinning-Fishing/dp/B00LDYJ7CO/ref=pd_sim_200_4?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00LDYJ7CO&pd_rd_r=TQZB9J7RBDY3KGHA2X8E&pd_rd_w=FrLvZ&pd_rd_wg=4VJOf&psc=1&refRID=TQZB9J7RBDY3KGHA2X8E Battle 2 review at bottom of page

pity the Fierce don't have a better drag components else would of been perfect
 

jonathanw

Member
oh I also upgraded the drags to carbonetex, really smooth and lots of pulling power.

here is a link on youtube ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHzm8RxowcM) of a 4000FD vs nice sized sail fish.

;)
 

jonathanw

Member
Hi Stephan,

Definitely carbonetex is the way to go, those felt washers are good but won't last long after many fish, it has really increased the smoothness when a fish is running and upped the drag a bit, i bought a whole sheet from china ( R200 A4 sized) and cut them to size, all my sienna have it, really worth while modification.

regards

Jonathan
 

Houtarm

Moderator
I have the new Sienna and Daiwa Laguna in 2500 size, as well as Big Boss in 5000 size.

I have used the Sienna a long time, and love the reel. Only problem so far is the drag clicker has stopped working. I prefer the sienna to the laguna, it just feels more solid and smooth.

I use the Big Boss for scratching, and I love it. It's a very sturdy reel and for the scratching i find it ideal. For spinning the retrieve speed might be a bit too slow...
 

die spook

Senior Member
Nuwe Shimano Sienna is n lekker katrolletjie. Ek het die 4000 model en spin met hom in die see.

Ek het myne nou amper n jaar en het hom onlangs gediens. Dis nogal maklik.

Die Daiwa Procaster 4000 lyk na n goeie alternatief.
 

die spook

Senior Member
Hi JeandlH

Ek het maar n minor diens gedoen (so bietjie skoon gemaak en grease gesmeer waar ek dink grease gesmeer moet word). Het glad nie aan die rotor nut gepeuter nie, maar sal binnekort n volle diens doen.

Groete
 

WaterKind

Senior Member
So has anyone been using the NEW Shimano Sienna 4000 FE for a while ?

Would appreciate a review or some feedback ...
 

JeandlH

New member
WaterKind wrote:
So has anyone been using the NEW Shimano Sienna 4000 FE for a while ?

Would appreciate a review or some feedback ...
Awesome little reels. I use mine for basically everything. I use it for Spinning in the surf, bait fishing, throwing lures in estuaries, live bait fishing and freshwater fishing etc. Caught a few nice Kob on this reel already, also a few Grunters. The main thing that impresses me about this reel is how smooth it is, especially the drag.

I dropped mine in the surf this past December, and it was a bit rough afterwards, but I just had it serviced immediately after and it was as good as new. Only issue I had recently was the drag clicker that got bent a bit for some reason. Honestly don't see the need to buy a R1000+ reel in this size when you can get the Sienna for about R400-R500
 

duckbill

Senior Member
I have had the 4000 Sienna FE for almost a year and a half now. With this reel I have landed shad, solid grunter, lots of big kolstert and a very large cape stumpnose that took off like a kraker. It is one of the best investments that I have made. I clean mine after every few outings and it still looks brand new. Smooth drag and sturdy handle...
 
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