I think we are all shimano mad since they came along and blew everyone else out of the water
Yes i have a bag full of them and i love them but the others were way behind a few years ago and that is why the shimanos came along and we all now love them
there are anglers out there who wouldnt have anything other than a shimano on there rods
but its the time for the others to bite back and this is whats happening the Mitchell brand used to be the best in fixed spool reels and any old pictures in fishing magazines that you look at most will be mitchells
i recently seen a picture of Ivan Marks using his persuder rod on the trent fishing the far bank and connected to a good fish he was using a mitchell and that shows as everyone used them
the new mitchells include a far greater array of knowledge of reels as the company is a large group of companys now which include penn shakespear abu and a list of others
i have seen one and wow i was impressed
i have also seen some fox reels which shocked me
the shakespear mach reels for the money are fab as well
and yes the shimanoe are still in the lead but is this just a culture
here is the mitchell page and look at the parent companies
http://www.mitchell-fishing.co.uk/catalogue/reels,767/spinning-reels,768/avorunner-v2,7138.html
Okuma who would have had one of them a few years ago
lots out there to choose from and it doesnt have to be shimano all the time
Hope this helps a little and i know its a mine field out there with so much to choose from !
Sean