Favorite Bluegill UL spinning reels?

[Jeff Soto]

I just bought a Daiwa Crossfire 1000-3iB ultralight spinning reel just for my Bluegill fishing and 2 lb. line. (It worked very well at Lake Perris yesterday, and a big "thanks!" to Sonny for the great trip!) I am curious as to what other spinning reels Big Bluegill.com fishermen are using. I want to purchase another couple of quality UL reels that have a smooth drag system, because there's always a chance to hook into something big like a Channel Catfish or carp that wants to try to spool you, like it did yesterday! Fishing crickets, you can hook into anything!

[Ernie Odum]

I still have but have semi-retired an old Shimano Mark ULS. Reel still is smooth as silk and ultra reliable. The reason it is semi-retired is I got a steal of a deal on a Shimano Symetre 750. As close to perfect as a UL spinning reel can get for my use.
Another that I intend to get is a Quantum Xtra Lite.

[creekx]

Shimano Symetre 1000's and 2500, I really like the 2500 line seems to be more manageable with the wider spool.

[Tom Hudson]

I use Shimano Symetre 750 on my 5'6" UL and 1500 on anything 6'6" UL and longer...butter drag and never a bad bailspring. I love throwing Tectan mono or 2 or 3# Fireline crystal with a floro leader if water is gin clear.

[robert b reid]

well as of late. i have been using shakespare ultra microspin. but for the longest time i have been wanting a custom rod made for myself. so i had a 8 1/2 ultra light sinning/fly rod made. that way i can use it either way i want too. what i have got for the spinning reel is the pflueger trion gx 7 for the rod. and had it loaded with sufix braid 10lb which is equivantly to 4 lb mono

[jonathon ratzlaff]

quantum energy PT,greatest reel ever it may cost a bit but its worth it. i was reeling in a small gill and hooked a 6 pound largemouth and landed it on 2 pound test. i got the super light version and have the bait caster and larger spinning reel for bass

[steve b]

I will no longer buy UL reels. Stems too short, knuckles get rapped. Just because I want to use 2-6lb line doesn't mean my hands are the size of a 6yr olds. Reason two, I learned here, the larger diameter spools of larger reels cast further. I'll buy a size or two larger from now on. steve b

[Dave Bausano]

I started using Browning Superlight almost a year ago, and I don't think I'll ever use any other. It holds a suprising amount of line and allows you to cast good distances, especially if you use braided line. I have never used braid (mostly because of price), but have heard great things about it, although that is another discussion.

I was using this reel to catch some small bluegill for bait (look at the catfish picture I posted), and I hooked into a good-sized catfish. I was able to land a 13lb catfish that took a cricket with 4lb. test - the drag is exceptional. I believe they have the reels on sale right now at Basspro's website for around $25. Well worth the money.

[John Sheehan]

Daiwa Spinmatic 500T and Plueger President UL.. cant recall model number...smooth drags fast retrieves