Budget boat reel wanted.

Kentish Bassman

Well-known member
I`m looking to buy a new boat reel but my budget will only stretch to about £50. I`ve seen a few on Ebay and the one that I`m considering is the Leeda Icon M30 for around £45 - £50, it comes pre-loaded with 40lb braid. So I would like to know if the reel is any good, is the braid any good. If anyone has got one or has used one in the past any advice you`ve got about this reel would be much appreciated. Or if you can suggest any other reel that might suit I would be very grateful.
 
I Bought The Icon M30 boat reel from Reelsport about a year back, The reel isnt fully loaded with braid only partially..The braid is attached to mono, I took the braid off mine anyways as im not keen on it but all in all its a great reel for the price and coped amongst rough ground and wrecks with no problems at all
 
:Dcant comment on reel:exclam::exclam:
personal opinion(shared by many) any braid less than 50lb does not have the abrasion resistance required when boat fishing:(
also worth mentioning are there are many who dont contribute to this theory also:D:D:D:D
 
:Dcant comment on reel:exclam::exclam:
personal opinion(shared by many) any braid less than 50lb does not have the abrasion resistance required when boat fishing:(
also worth mentioning are there are many who dont contribute to this theory also:D:D:D:D


I used 30 on col old boat aswell as a few boats out of quay never had any issues with it imo ;-);-);-) ya could get away with 30 braid main line 40 mono rubbing leader and 20/30 lb mono fluro trace length just in my opinion mind ;-);-);-)
 
You can pick up an okuma classic pro for under £50 if you search about, the basic classic xt is about £30 but the spool will collapse under a bit of pressure from braid...... There are a couple of versions of the pro model, I think it is the 400L which has a stronger and deeper spool, I have had a pair for 3 years and regularly used shadding with 50lb braid, had no issues with them but I tend fish in 100ft or less as a rule so couldn't say how they cope with very heavy wrecking, if you want to stretch your budget consider the snowbee vortex 20 I have seen a few around £75.... rrp £125... Or as already said look out for TLD 15 second hand......Penn 535 also bomb proof!
 
Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. I have managed to pick up a second hand 535 for £40, (a bargain I hope) now just got to order the braid from China and hope it gets here before the fishing gets underway.
 
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