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Best popping reel for around $500

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    Posted: 20 Oct 2011 at 2:56pm
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Titanium
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Hey,
 
know these sorts of threads have been done to death a bit but still struggling as to what is the best reel for poppering around this price?
I will be using it for poppering off the rocks so will look into second hand as the cosmetic may not last that long!
 
There doesn't seem to be much in the $500-$800 range around with quite a big jump to the twinpower, Stellas and saltigas, ideally i would love a second hand stella 10000 but they don't come up very often and when they do they go for almost new prices!!!!
 
Some I have been looking at:
Saltist 6500
Thunnus (drag not quite there)
Tica Talisman
Saragossa
Saltiga surf (could then use it for two applications)
 
Or am i just kidding myself and should go without a reel until i can afford a Stella of the like?
 
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Dohboy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 2011 at 3:06pm
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Platinum
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Tica Talisman look like very nice reel a mate is getting 1 some
www.acewash.co.nz
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote -mAdfis HO- Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 2011 at 3:35pm
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I've got a Saragossa for poppering (picked it up brand new off trademe for $370!). I haven't used it much but I used the same one popper fishing with Russ Housby in Vanuatu. He's got 2 of them for poppering and hasn't had any issues with em. He Reckons they are pretty much as good as a stella for a fraction of the cost.
FiShInG rOcKs! ChEeRs -mAdfis HO-





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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Blue Asparagus Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 2011 at 4:02pm
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Titanium
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I just picked up a 5500 fin-nor, bloody stocked with it, this will be spooled with 50lb braid and T it up with my Diawa popper rod
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Jonny rotten Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 2011 at 4:29pm
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have a look at the fearless tackle pluto 9000 real....i just got one in from oz and it looks not bad for the dosh and is boasting 30kg of drag.....will be good to see how long it lasts.

apart from that id go for a saragosa 8 or 10k or a daiwa saltist..... the 4500 size seems fine for me.
i started popper fishing with a spheros 14000fb and killed it reel quick
Rocking the CROCS since 2011
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote JK Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 2011 at 4:52pm
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Moderator - Black Belt
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Been using a saragosa 8000 for quite some time now. No complaints
LedgeNZ LBG
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Blindspot Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 2011 at 6:44pm
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BA do you buy anything but Fin-nor?
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Red Hunter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 2011 at 6:55pm
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I have used Saragosa's for GTs from 4000s to 1800s , the 4000 nailed 20 Gts up to 25 kg before it gave up , [ big ask for a small reel ] , the 18000 is great , I have had no problems , and for the price you can't go wrong , worth a look at .
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote M@CC@ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 2011 at 7:23pm
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Another Vote from me for the Saragosa.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote footey Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 2011 at 8:15pm
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I recently imported a saltist 5000 spooled with power pro 50lb braid for $350 NZ delivered - purchased via Ebay USA
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote alan syme Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 2011 at 9:12pm
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can't comment on the other reels as i do not know enough about them and have not used them personally. but i have a saragosa 18000, used for poppering and trolling. it has been awesome for 3 years, biggest fish so far of 30 kg. wahoo,  y fin tuna and gt's on it, would i buy another one? yes, good bang for buck at that price in my opinion. 20 kg of drag and 40kg kingie caught on a saragosa down in nelson this year.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Blue Asparagus Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 2011 at 9:53pm
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Titanium
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Originally posted by Blindspot Blindspot wrote:

BA do you buy anything but Fin-nor?

NO MATE no need to run with the bulls when, if it works why try and fix it, caught some very nice fish on my fin-nor gear plus they are a supporter of this siteWink
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote fish i Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 2011 at 9:59pm
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Shimano Sustain 8000 ~ get one cheaper than that landed from the states, don't think they stock this size in NZ yet.
6th place in the inaugural Te Kauwhata Regionals paddle crab division
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote ginga Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 2011 at 10:30pm
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Daiwa Catalina

My 4500 has been bulletproof.
www.extremesportfishing.co.nz.
Agent for Carpenter, Orion and ASWB products



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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote deacs Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 2011 at 10:58pm
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Titanium
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Cheers for the thoughts guys still most confusing LOL
Now Steve with my arms i don't think i will be casting a fin nor all day, all be it bullet proof reels for the rocks!LOL
Second hand Stella 20000 for sale.... too  big????
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote PoppinTonga Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Oct 2011 at 7:04am
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Stella 20k is a big reel and the ratio is lower than a 18k making popping with the 20k a lot of work.  I have an 18k and a 10k Stella SW.  The 10k is what you want if you can find it used, it is a dream to use.

  I don't know if it was just my reel, but I also have a 18k Saragosa and it has not stood up to the GTs well at all.  The drag has handled, but the reel itself has had bearings changed and it still feels real sloppy.  I am not impressed with the Saragosa for the price.  Mine also delveloped a nasty scrapping sound when under load that was not fixed after 2 trips back for service/repair.  Ended up being corrosion on a counter balance weight under the rotor.  I also heard this on a visiting fisherman's Saragosa.  

I have used many times a friends Spheros 14k and 18k.  Very solid reels for the price.  I am pretty sure they have the same drags as the Saragosa and are about half the price.  
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