Beginner Looking For A Good Zebco Combo

[srd4484]

I'm looking at 2 rod and reel combos from Zebco to get. 

Bill Dance Select 33 or Zebco Platinum Spincast 33PLC

Looking to fish bass & crappie. Which do you suggest or which is better?

 

Thanks.

[Broke bass fisherman]

I personally don't recommend any spin cast reels. I would look at a open face spinning reel personally. There are several more options and these combia gave the ability to grow with your talent and expertise.

The fact that the face is closed makes it very difficult to do any preventive maintenance, is there a loose loop???? if you want to change the spool you need a wrench and the are generally not as smooth or cast as far as a spinning reel or bait caster. Not to mention the wear and tear on the line due to the guide at the top. I personally have had no luck and lots of birds nests.

That said; whatever floats your boat. The only wrong way to fish is not to fish.

[new2BC4bass]

I personally don't recommend any spin cast reels. I would look at a open face spinning reel personally. There are several more options and these combia gave the ability to grow with your talent and expertise.

The fact that the face is closed makes it very difficult to do any preventive maintenance, is there a loose loop???? if you want to change the spool you need a wrench and the are generally not as smooth or cast as far as a spinning reel or bait caster. Not to mention the wear and tear on the line due to the guide at the top. I personally have had no luck and lots of birds nests.

That said; whatever floats your boat. The only wrong way to fish is not to fish.

 

X2.  I know many people use Zebcos, but I have to agree with the above post.  If you think you will have any interest in fishing more than a couple times a year, then a spinning outfit is a much better option.  Heck fishing twice a year with a spinning reel is still a better option in my opinion.  My daughter's boyfriend fishes Zebcos only,  She fishes with spinning reels and a baitcaster.  Leaning to cast a spinning is easy.  Remember to close the bail by hand to minimize line twist.  A  spinning combo need not cost any more than the Zebco would cost.

[TrapperJ]

My wife totally shocked me, at first she was all, "let me just have a basic reel an ole zebco, i know how to throw it, i dont want any other kind." So ok i got her that, well last year were fishing and i usually bring at least 2 rods even when im bank fishing, so out of the blue "whats so hard about these baitcaster, let me see it" im like ok incoming major backlash, well i'll be danged if she didnt just repeatedly throw a solid cast with out any problems, cast after cast

 

Although she did have the wind at her back, and her real challenge will come when she has to cast that lighter lure into the wind, but i was still very proud of her for just picking it up and chunking it like it was no big deal. She was like this reel is so much smoother then my zebco, i like it alot better.

 

So for Christmas she got a brand new baitcaster reel, and we will trade in that old zebco during the reel trading program to get her another reel for the new rod she will be getting during the rod trade in program

 

She did use the Zebco Omega cause i promised at the time to get her a really good reel, which seems expensive for a spincast but it is a really nice spincast.

[Hanover_Yakker]

Agreed! A spinning reel on a decent medium action fast rod will serve you well and cover most of what you want to do (the Walmart Ugly Stik spinning combo for $30 is decent to get started with). If you absolutely were forced to get one though - the Zebco 33 casting is pretty solid and is functional though per your original request.

[J Francho]

If you must have a spincast, I recommend a Daiwa Goldcast.  It costs a little more, but it's not a toy, and it will serve you well.  As far as rods go, any medium to MH, fast action rod 6-6 to 7' will work fine.

[Darren.]

I wouldn't discount a spincast, especially an underspin style. I've used them, have 2 ABU 276U and they're pretty good reels.

 

They're easier to show a beginner. Kind of the click-n-cast thing, only have to pull the trigger, cast and you're good to go. They hang under the rod like an open face spinning reel, too, so balance is good.

 

But yeah, for the same (or a tad more) money you could score a better open face reel and with a little more instruction, they may enjoy it more.

[Christian M]

_{I agree with the posts above.}

_{My first combo was a $25, 2-piece Shimano rod & reel (7'MH XF) which I purchased on sale & used to learn the basics. Now I fish local tournaments & have a respectable collection of tackle, both spinning & casting. I still have that first combo. I keep it in my boat as a loaner when I bring friends along that are learning to fish. My point is you don't have to break the bank to get a decent combo, but IMHO, go with a spinning setup, it will serve you better in the long run.}

[Dyerbassman]

The new BPS Extreme Spincast reel looks interesting. Appears to be well made. All metal gears, star drag, etc. Was looking to get on for my son ( and for me to try out of curiosity). I usually fish with spinning gear, but a decent spincast reel can still get it done. Just get what your comfortable with. The fish don't know the difference!

[retiredbosn]

I'm looking at 2 rod and reel combos from Zebco to get. Bill Dance Select 33 or Zebco Platinum Spincast 33PLC

Looking to fish bass & crappie. Which do you suggest or which is better?

Thanks.

The Zebco 33 is a solid little reel all brass gears, growing up I thought it didn't get any better, Abu Garcia also makes a fine spincast. What the others have said is true, but if spincasting is your thing go for it. BTW I know a semi pro who keeps one in his rod locker because he can't skip with a baitcaster. He is good enough to won a Skeeter bass boat, and show a profit from fishing. It is funny watching him almost lay down and slingshot a plastic under a dock.

[srd4484]

wow. Thanks for all your replies. I will consider all your feedback. 

[J Francho]

This reel is still in my arsenal.  It's over 20 years old.

 

 

[Hyrule Bass]

I got a shakespeare tiger spincast combo from Wal-mart about 5 years ago or so that has served me well. Its my "lucky pole". Unfortunately the newer ones are made of more plastic than my older one is, which is metal. But it has handled bass, stripers, crappie, perch, bluegill, and plenty of catfish. The drag isnt the greatest with big fish, but it handles them, let them run and tire and then crank them in. ive sworn off zebco for the most part, meaning i got a couple old things by them but wont be buying anything new by them, unless one day i feel the need to replace my 33 reel. ill tell you what though, that 33 rod i have is tough, i had a 40+ lb flathead on there i thought was going to snap my rod, but the small line gave first, the rod was bowed over past a U shape lol...