Yea, I can't find any info on a reel I bought anywhere

The reel in question is a Shakespeare Medalist ML035. I picked it up for 20$ on clearance/closeout at Gander Mtn. It's last years model and they are just trying to move them. I guess...or something of that nature. Supposidly, it was a 40-50$ reel new.

Now here's my question, are Shakespeare reels any good? I have Ugly Sticks, and love them to death, but I've always had Shimano reels. [They got me hooked when I was younger with their "QuickFire" as it was a good way to get into Spinning reels, and I've always just stuck with them] I've never had any bad luck with my Shimanos, and truth be told, I thought the reel I bought at GM was a Shimano...until I got home. Apparently my brain shut off at the store, too many cool things, and I was irritated that I had to wait like 20 min to get someone that I could ask a few questions to.

Anyway...anyone have experience with Shakespeare reels? Good, Bad, Ugly?

I mean, if worse comes to worse, I'll just keep it cause it's "pretty looking"

Eric

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Used is such a harsh term. . . I perfer "Previously obsessed over"
88 base coupe: "She thinks my tractor's sexy..... it really turns 'er on"
"I drive Sideways"

quote Said by Crazy Dave "You can take Steve out of the trailer park, but you can't take the trailer park out of Steve."

(\__/)
(='.'=) <<<< Cute Bunny.
(")_(")

I don't know. I went from Hand Lines, to Cane Poles, to M-80's, to some of the Du Pont products myself.
Someone on PFF does 3D CG modeling for a Fishing Reel company, maybe they will see this thread?

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Ol' Paint, 88 Base coupe auto.
Turning white on top, like owner.
Leaks a little, like owner.
Doesn't smoke....... OK, we're trying to quit.

IMHO, Shakespeare reels are decent, but not top of the line.
I don't know why - the rods are great, but the reels are a bit on the cheap side, and parts are almost impossible to get.
That said, for the price you paid its a pretty good reel. Give it excellent care, meaning regular teardown, cleaning, lubing, and it will last a long time.
Especially if you fish fresh water.
I fish mostly salt water, and my preference is the basic Penn/Ugly stick combo.
Rugged, smooth, and parts are readily available.
Finding a bail spring for a Shakespeare or a Diawa can be an excersize in futility.
An added benefity is that Penn reels are one of the few products still [mostly] made in the USA.
The salt water environment is hard on reels, especially the bail springs.
I guess the choice boils down to how much are you going to use the reel vs. how much you want to pay.

[This message has been edited by NEPTUNE (edited 05-21-2008).]

Like a kot of things, Shakespear was once top of the line here in the US. Along comes Diawa, and then Shimano. Instead of Shkespear increasing their quality to match Shimano, they just went downward imo. They're ok, but not a great reel. IMO

I have always like Shimano reels. I have a couple of Abu Garcia's as well but I don't like them as much as the Shimano's.
Shakespeare reels seem to be the middle-of-the-road style. I have a bait caster that came with a Catera rod and it is not bad at all. The only down-side is if I use too thin of a line it seems to rats-nest more. I like to use Fireline which is thinner than regular monofiliment, So I have had to go up to a higher lbs line to help the reel out.
I would buy a Shakespeare before buying a Diawa. I have had way too many problems with Diawa's over the years.

I just bought a new ultralight Ugly stick with a new Shimano Solstace reel at Cabela's last month. It's been working great at the local ponds.

One of our members here, Curlrup, designs and makes (I THINK), fishing reels.Look him up on the Members' list, and drop him a PM..I am sure he could give you some excellent info!
Darned caps lock
Nick

[This message has been edited by fierofetish (edited 05-21-2008).]

quote Originally posted by Racingman24: Apparently my brain shut off at the store,

AHHHHH haaaaaaa haaaaaa that happened LONG ago............................

quote Originally posted by PURPLE REIGN: AHHHHH haaaaaaa haaaaaa that happened LONG ago............................

Yea, but I'll tell ya what....my brain...and other parts of me get reaaaallly turned on when I'm with your mom!

O!