Shimano Symetre... not worth it

[BeachAggie]

Just brought a few of my reels for repair before the start of the season to my reel guy and discovered that my symetre after only one season is totally shot. I have used Shimano for a while (5 years) and I've had a few problems with some of my reels and none with others. The Symetre however is the worst. I do the proper maintenance on them, but I use them a ton during the warm months. It seems that the pewter gears in the Symetre and other cheaper Shimano's (ie the ones that don't use their Paladin Gear System) don't last. For the money I'd go with something else that will last longer. I'm tired of the problems and will be switching to Penn.

Anyone else experienced this with their lower end models?

[SAHunter1983]

Go spin V and you wont go back. Bit heavier, yes... rock solid drag oooh yeah, water sealed bazinga...

[5moreminutes]

I haven't owned a symetre but have owned the solstace as my boat/buddy set up going on 3 years little maintenance and no problem.
After 5 years of dependability your gonna throughout out shimano?
I truly think your border line on a reel that is almost at that disposable level. In regards to what it cost to be maintained versus replaced. My solstace has exceeded the life expectancy I had in mind.

[Throttlehead250]

Ive been using a few of the Symetre's since about beginning of summer of last year, i fish at least 2 times a week and dont treat them well. they are just as slick now as when i bought them. Ive never opened them either..

i love shimano, their customer service is top notch and gear is great.

salt is horrible on all gear, so i wouldn't be expecting something as mechanically intricate of a spinning reel to not fail at some point, mostly in that price range.

[BeachAggie]

I use my inshore gear at least three times a week. I've had problems of varying severity through all my Shimano reels except for one Saros that lasted me years before losing it after flipping. Even had and have problems with my Saragosa. I had to replace it after the first season because of a locked drive gear and the bail always seem to get salt lock worse than any of my other reels. They do have great customer service though. I will agree with that.

[Kayak Kid]

I've been using Symetres for many years. Along side the many other reels I use, they are probably the smoothest operating.
I've never had any trouble with them, but, I break down, clean and lube my reels the day after each fishing trip.

My cousin, also uses them……., exclusively. He never cleans them, and when they freeze up……., and they will when used hard and put away wet…….,he brings them to me to clean. I only wish they would put better bearings in them and use unplated plastic, but, that would, increase the cost dramatically.

For a bullet proof reel, I suggest one of the penn reels. They are not the smoothest, and they are a bit heavy, but they seem to hold up better than most.

[Off The Hook]

don't know what is going on with your reel??? maybe a lemon who knows???? i have had my symmetres 8 yrs strong they have been dunked in water by accident filled with sand by my kids etc etc, however i do give them the routine maintenance and they are as smooth today as the day I bought them. I will buy Symmetre anyday over any other reel

[Big Kahuna]

Five or four years ago I switched from them to the battle from Penn. I couldn't be happier and still have all of my battles.

[jefferymac]

I use both brands; I have a couple of Symetre FL and a few Penn SpinV and Sargus reels. The Penns have had a few problems, but they're super simple to take apart and rebuild, and parts are cheap and easy to find (pennparts.com). I have yet to have a single problem with the Symetre reels (one is about 1 year old, the other only a few months), and they are definitely smoother than the Penns. I rinse and clean 'em up after every trip.

[emtp101]

I have had problems with my symetre also but not a single problem with my stardic. I also have a Penn Battle and so far so good. I won't be buying any more shimano's unless it s a stradic.

[chasing tailz]

i use quantum cabo's and love them. i have only had one problem in the past five years and quantum asked no questions they just sent me a brand new reel. they have sealed bearings and i use them in the surf wade fishing for specs. very reliable.

[Skunked2manyX]

I have two Symmetre 4000FL that I would gladly sell to any of you shimano lovers, I swear if you sprinkle water on them they lock up. I have had these things cleaned so many times I could have bought two more reels. Any takers? I could use the money to upgrade to something more reliable.

[Yaklash]

I have two Symmetre 4000FL that I would gladly sell to any of you shimano lovers, I swear if you sprinkle water on them they lock up. I have had these things cleaned so many times I could have bought two more reels. Any takers? I could use the money to upgrade to something more reliable.

Sorry, no taker here. Have all the reels I will need for the rest of my life. All are Shimano reels & work great and all but one I have had for at least 6 years. I am very careful to keep them as free of saltwater as possible - and can not imagine how your reel could "lock up" from a sprinkle of saltwater. Guess it could be a model issue being on the lower end, but I suspect otherwise. I know someone who scoffs at buying expensive reels, so he has lower end Shimano spinners - one being a Symmetre. I think he's had it for almost 10 years. And that guy fishes harder than anyone I know, tho never from a kayak. Maybe it's the paddle splash.