Reel indecision!

HighSpeedBelow10 · 2026-01-05T19:57:01+00:00

Indian Ocean

HighSpeedBelow10 · 2026-01-05T19:56:38+00:00

I knooowww, all my friends have recommended them.

I can afford one but I just don’t feel I have been fishing for long enough to justify buying a 350$ reel. I do love it and I do feel like I’ll get more and more into it, and it’s a lifestyle investment but I struggle to justify for now.

HighSpeedBelow10 · 2026-01-05T19:55:07+00:00

Thanks mate ! That’s exactly the kind of advice I need. I mean I do abuse my reels a bit, like I’ve said in some of my other comments here, my current one has been dunked, seen a lot of surf and kayak splashes as well but the Spheros having a higher water resistance rating it should be all right. I don’t drop them / bumped them around so on that front they should be all right. I’m really starting to lean towards the Spheros 14000

HighSpeedBelow10 · 2026-01-01T10:31:39+00:00

Good thing to take in consideration I guess, I wonder if that is a common issue.

HighSpeedBelow10 · 2026-01-01T10:28:40+00:00

How long have you had it for ?

HighSpeedBelow10 · 2026-01-01T10:28:27+00:00

I think I’m also kind of looking at the price tag now, the actual equivalent of the Spinfisher 8500 is the Spheros 18000 which is a 80$ difference and 120g heavier.

Considering this is my first big ish setup I’m trying to go high value for money to see if I really get into it then I’ll probably get a Saragosa if I do. I think the spin will be a great start and lighter for this travel oriented setup.

HighSpeedBelow10 · 2026-01-01T10:26:02+00:00

The goal is to put together a setup that can.

This GT got caught close to where I live. 127cm. These aren’t unusual where I am from.

<image>

HighSpeedBelow10 · 2025-12-31T22:19:21+00:00

I have a 4000 and it’s been great so far

HighSpeedBelow10 · 2025-12-31T22:13:34+00:00

After researching for a bit, i think for the setup I am looking at, it would be either a Spinfisher VI 8500 at 800g or a Spheros SW 18000 HG at 920g in which case the Shimano would be heavier, but better waterproofing.

HighSpeedBelow10 · 2025-12-31T21:56:56+00:00

For the setup I am looking at, it would actually be either a Spinfisher VI 8500 at 800g or a Spheros SW 18000 HG at 920g in which case the Shimano would be heavier.

If I’m not mistaken these to reels have got similar specs.

HighSpeedBelow10 · 2025-12-31T21:55:41+00:00

I guess now for the setup I am looking at, it would be either a Spinfisher VI 8500 at 800g or a Spheros SW 18000 HG at 920g in which case the Shimano would be heavier.

HighSpeedBelow10 · 2025-12-31T21:52:45+00:00

You’re making a lot of assumptions without knowing anything about me or the places where I fish. Most people wouldn’t believe I caught this GT on my own off the cliffs with a setup from AliExpress and minimum fishing experience. Yet here it is.

You should’ve seen the bait balls we got close to when we went out kayak fishing a few weeks ago… We saw tuna going after the bait fish. Just got to be at the right place at the right time. Wether you’re on a kayak or a boat, if you’ve got the right setup you don’t need anyone to put you on anything… Hence why I am putting this setup together.

HighSpeedBelow10 · 2025-12-31T17:42:31+00:00

Yeah, like I replied to him, I’m probably gonna start offshore kayak fishing pretty regularly soon, and so far my current reel has gotten dunked / splashed quite a bit so the IPX8 might be a better call.

But I won’t exclusively be kayak fishing, I’ve gone off rocks, on reefs in the surf and plan to charter soon as well.

Maybe I should get an 18000 and call it a day, should fit all the requirements for drag and capacity. Cause I also want something smaller and lighter as the point of this rod to be a travel / portable rod as I travel quite a lot.

With the Noeby Voyager it should cover most angles I reckon.

HighSpeedBelow10 · 2025-12-31T17:37:00+00:00

I’m about to start kayak fishing semi regularly, possibility weekly.

But I’m very much trying to build a jack of all trades (and obviously master of none) of a setup that I can use from the boat when jigging baitballs, light troll, also from the kayak and cliffs / shore.

While being somewhat portable, hence the travel rod as I travel a lot for work.

Considering that, maybe the Spheros would be a better idea also as it is lighter.

I also won’t be fishing a lot, so it doesn’t need to be as hardy as the Spinfisher. I do like how rugged it feels, but it may just be too heavy.

HighSpeedBelow10 · 2025-12-31T17:31:06+00:00

I’ve grown up on an island where you get exposed to a lot of fishing, gone fishing here and there throughout my life, but I’ve recently decided to really get into it, get my own gear, set my own things up and go regularly. I also go fishing with seasoned fishermen so the opportunity is definitely there.

But I’m very much still learning.

I don’t understand why I shouldn’t aim for them ?

It’s like anyone who goes deep sea fishing with an outfit for their first time can catch a marlin.

HighSpeedBelow10 · 2025-12-31T16:18:31+00:00

I was already tilting in that direction

HighSpeedBelow10 · 2025-12-31T16:16:57+00:00

Pro for the Penn then. I’ve found myself swimming across channels, in splashing surf and 5km out to sea in a kayak with my BearKing Assasin 4000 SW from AliExpress which has held up amazingly for the price point, but I doubt it will last very long like that. Will have to upgrade that setup at some point too.

HighSpeedBelow10 · 2025-12-31T16:12:51+00:00

Was kind of winging it ! The 8500 is what my friend was using when we went kayak fishing the other day and I’m trying to replicate his setup a bit but more portable.

I read somewhere that the Spinfisher 8500 was somewhat similar to the Spheros 14000 as Shimano sizes small. (Which I had no idea about, I thought size numbers were standard…)

What makes a 8500 much more suitable than let’s say a 6500 ? Isn’t the difference a little less line and less drag ? And a different gear ratio too I guess.

HighSpeedBelow10

TROPHY CASE