Dear Abu Garcia Lovers...

[Maico1]

Anyone who actually uses Steez reels or any of the high dollar reels alike, care to chime in on why they're that much better for that dollar value?  This is a serious question.  We're fishing for bass, not Blue Fin Tuna. I can see where a $500 reel might be necessary salt water fishing or for really big freshwater fish, but not bass.  What puts these reels apart from your average market reels intended for bass or freshwater game fish? 

 

Part of me just wants to believe it's to show off.

I guess I would be in this catagory considering the reels that I own..Let me be clear the products I use are not purchased to show off, they are purchased to be fished,to be reliable, to last, to operate with precision and most important for my enjoyment. With that being said I have always been attracted to technology and openly welcomed the changes in fishing gear over the last 10 or so years. But at the same time realized a long time ago there is a penalty for enjoying technology and that is the price tag attached to it.

 

Now I watch a lot of you get your tails in a knot because this model or that model is not what it used to be so therefore it now stinks.. Well to some degree you get what you pay for. Just look at this post alone a lot of you have your minds made up that you will not spend over a certain dollar and anything above that is just not worth it or you are not fishing for whales.. I for one do not have a problem with that and will never slam you for what you fish with because that is what you enjoy to do.  

 

So many times these discussions turn into a nightmare and I want to be clear that not my intent . I only ask you to respect me the way I respect you after all we enjoy fishing don't we. So lets see how far this goes for I would certainly like to share more on this subject but not if it turns negative because then it is just not worth to me.

[J Francho]

Not surprised at all, given the fact there are more millionaires today than ever before in history.

 

Wait a minute, the same people that buy a $350K car buy $500 reels?

Its the same reason people here in the US buy Lambos and Ferrari. Only going to go from point A to point B in the same way. Now there could be an argument for $100 to $200 reels, but lets be realistic, $500? As far as I'm concerned they can keep it.

Millionaires? Wait a minute, the same people that buy a $350K car buy $500 reels? Sounds like hyperbole, to me. It doesn't take that much disposable income to come up with another $200 on top of what you pay for a reel, IF YOU WANT THE THING. Also, realize it's only a very unmotivated buyer that pays sticker on top end items. I bought Curado Es for $70. My Chronarchs were $118. My Zillions were around $200-225 new. Sols, $130. Alphas were $175 and $200. I could have bought a Steez for $300 when they came out. I HARDLY think that I'll need the type of income it takes to buy a Ferrari, for me to be able to afford a $500 reel.

Now a lot of you are young guys, and you complain that you cannot afford these top end items. Of course you can't - they aren't marketed to you. You have to work up the ranks, and save your scoots if you want something high end. How much have you guys spent on electronics in the past 5 years?

I'll give you a little clue, people with more wealth than you have to save up for it too. You think they got wealthy buying every next new flagship offering? I was looking at a new truck yesterday, while my truck was being serviced at the dealer. A custom Rocky Ridge Edition, with a 12" lift and 22" rims for $62K. It was pretty sweet. Would have only raised my payment by around $60. Seems like a slam dunk, huh? I'm not "wealthy," but I can easily absorb that. But, that's $60 that is no longer part of my fun stuff budget - not worth it.

Millionaires and Ferrari buyers is not why these companies build these reels. They build them because they will sell. They introduce the latest and greatest materials and engineering in them. Some of these features trickle down the product line later. Remember when an in dash color GPS was only found on the top end luxury cars? Try find a car without one now! How about 6 speed automatics? Geez, now my truck has this! It's the same in any industry.

As for you guys thinking Abu was some "blue collar" reel, keep in mind that back in the day, those Swiss cut gears cost you a pretty penny more than your push button Zebco.

[SirSnookalot]

I can see where a $500 reel might be necessary salt water fishing or for really big freshwater fish

It isn't necessary, as an everyday saltwater fisherman I can tell you that the average angler does not spend anywhere close to that.  If course there are some that do, those are the guys with 200k boats and money probably isn't much of an object.  There are some advantages to the more expensive reels, an 18000 stella for example has incredible drag of over 50# with an incredible price to go with it.  A Van Staal claims to be sandproof.  For a saltwater reel one would like to have a reel that's durable to the elements, have a good drag, and withstand some harder fighting fish on a constant basis. IMO that can be had for $125-$225, much more than I would spend for freshwater fishing.

 

 

Or is it just simply built with more expensive components and thats the added value? 

I have no doubt the components cost more, but how much more?  Large companies are always price beating their suppliers and they negotiation in large volume, the more they buy the cheaper the price.  I'd be willing to bet a stella does not cost 10 times more to make than a sahara. 

[J Francho]

Money is ALWAYS an object. How do you think they became wealthy? It wasn't by throwing their money away, that's for sure.

[J Francho]

And, back on topic.....

Can anyone explain, or provide links to what the "cutting-edge IVCB-4 centrifugal brake system" is all about?

[MarkH024]

They introduce the latest and greatest materials and engineering in them. 

So it's based strictly off of the materials? Well for me, my reel can be made of foam or some metal from Mars..matters not to me. What matters is the performance and life span. How do the high end market reels out perform a $100-$200 reel to justify the costs?  That isn't a snide remark either, I am dead serious. Do they cast/perform that much better?

[J Francho]

Do they cast/perform that much better?

 

Some do.  You'd have to try one to see it for yourself.  I recommend a Shimano model with DC.

[J Francho]

And since when did something that costs more have to perform better?  Maico's 'Sclade costs more than my Sierra, and I'm pretty sure my truck is faster and gets better fuel economy, but one ride in the Caddy, and, well....I'll just say I'm a bit envious.  The ride is so smooth.  Some things are just built to be nice.

[LgMouthGambler]

 Wait a minute, the same people that buy a $350K car buy $500 reels?Millionaires? Wait a minute, the same people that buy a $350K car buy $500 reels? Sounds like hyperbole, to me. It doesn't take that much disposable income to come up with another $200 on top of what you pay for a reel, IF YOU WANT THE THING. Also, realize it's only a very unmotivated buyer that pays sticker on top end items. I bought Curado Es for $70. My Chronarchs were $118. My Zillions were around $200-225 new. Sols, $130. Alphas were $175 and $200. I could have bought a Steez for $300 when they came out. I HARDLY think that I'll need the type of income it takes to buy a Ferrari, for me to be able to afford a $500 reel.Now a lot of you are young guys, and you complain that you cannot afford these top end items. Of course you can't - they aren't marketed to you. You have to work up the ranks, and save your scoots if you want something high end. How much have you guys spent on electronics in the past 5 years?I'll give you a little clue, people with more wealth than you have to save up for it too. You think they got wealthy buying every next new flagship offering? I was looking at a new truck yesterday, while my truck was being serviced at the dealer. A custom Rocky Ridge Edition, with a 12" lift and 22" rims for $62K. It was pretty sweet. Would have only raised my payment by around $60. Seems like a slam dunk, huh? I'm not "wealthy," but I can easily absorb that. But, that's $60 that is no longer part of my fun stuff budget - not worth it.Millionaires and Ferrari buyers is not why these companies build these reels. They build them because they will sell. They introduce the latest and greatest materials and engineering in them. Some of these features trickle down the product line later. Remember when an in dash color GPS was only found on the top end luxury cars? Try find a car without one now! How about 6 speed automatics? Geez, now my truck has this! It's the same in any industry.As for you guys thinking Abu was some "blue collar" reel, keep in mind that back in the day, those Swiss cut gears cost you a pretty penny more than your push button Zebco.

Money isn't a problem for me. I could easily spend $1000 on a rig, but I dont see a good reason to. I'm not a big electronics guy either. Same phone for 3 years, and laptop for 5 years. Heck even my 53" TV is 7 years old. I just know what limitations to spend my money on. Got my eye on a new boat, but it ain't no $30000 Nitro. I like to buy my stuff new so I know its well taking care of. Its just Bass fishing, not shark fishing.

[J Francho]

Thanks, you disproved your point. 

 

For you guys that don't think high end gear is worth it, you've made your point, ad nauseum.  Let's limit this to discussion about the reel.  Anyone have more info beyond the usual ad copy?

[Fishwhittler]

The product specs say the MGX has the IVCB-IV braking system, and the MGXtreme has the IVCB-4.  Looks to me as though they just decided to use arabic instead of roman numerals.  

[LgMouthGambler]

Thanks, you disproved your point.

For you guys that don't think high end gear is worth it, you've made your point, ad nauseum. Let's limit this to discussion about the reel. Anyone have more info beyond the usual ad copy?

I proved a good point in that you said you have to move your way up in ranks to get the expensive better gear. For what? So have a $500 reel your a big boy now? Just because you can afford it, doesnt mean that makes you a big grown pro basser. Its demeaning in the way you stated that. Ill catch just as much fish with a $30 setup as most can catch with a $800 setup. Its not the tool, its the craftsman.

[Fishwhittler]

J Francho, please do not shoot me for what I am about to say.    (I'm going off-topic…)

 

It's funny when you think about it:  The Shimano Calais DC has possibly the most advanced braking system on the market and retails for $650.  The Daiwa Steez costs $600 MSRP, and it's one of the best-known flagship reels for its lightness and refinement.  Now Abu Garcia rolls out the MGXtreme, which will be the lightest metal-frame baitcast reel in the world.  Why is Abu being bashed for trying to cut into the high-end reel market?  The MGXtreme is .5oz lighter than a Steez or Abu's own MGX, and being at least a half-ounce lighter than any other reel on the market seems to me to be a pretty impressive feat that's worthy of a flagship reel.

 

Whether or not the MGXtreme is worth $500 is up to each individual angler—nobody has to buy one.  I probably won't because I can't afford that much for a single reel, but if someone else has the money and wants one, I hope they really enjoy it.  Personally, I think the MGXtreme is a stunner in terms of cosmetics, though I wouldn't mind seeing a different color for the accents.  Black and red is a trifle blasé, but the execution on the MGXtreme is well done.  Maybe if they'd go with black and green, or black and purple, or something?  Hint, hint…

[Diggy]

When reels hit 500 dollars the bearings are made from real bears...so I've heard.

[RyneB]

Its the same reason people here in the US buy Lambos and Ferrari. Only going to go from point A to point B in the same way. Now there could be an argument for $100 to $200 reels, but lets be realistic, $500? As far as I'm concerned they can keep it.

 

I bet if it was a Shimano you would be talking about how its the greatest reel ever made and everything else is garbage.

[LgMouthGambler]

I bet if it was a Shimano you would be talking about how its the greatest reel ever made and everything else is garbage.

 

 

Nope because I wont spend more than $200, even for a Shimano. The Core I had I sold just because i dint think there was much of a difference for the $. Its just not justifyable to me. Now if I was gonna go Tarpon fishing or something like that, I might buy a Calcutta, but no way for Bass fishing. I did not say in anyway that the Steez or the new Abu was garbage, but they are just too much for a reel. But hey, they are targeting people who would actually fork up the cash for a reel like that.

[Jig Meister]

if i had a job and was not in school, I would drop the money for one of these as soon as it goes on some sale, its only money, plus this thing is awesome.

[RyneB]

Nope because I wont spend more than $200, even for a Shimano. The Core I had I sold just because i dint think there was much of a difference for the $. Its just not justifyable to me. Now if I was gonna go Tarpon fishing or something like that, I might buy a Calcutta, but no way for Bass fishing. I did not say in anyway that the Steez or the new Abu was garbage, but they are just too much for a reel. But hey, they are targeting people who would actually fork up the cash for a reel like that.

 

Well at least we agree on one thing.

[tylerwyp]

I about fainted when I saw the price! I haven't spent more than $300 on a combo let alone $500 for just a reel

[LgMouthGambler]

Well at least we agree on one thing.

 

LOL, I'll take it. Baby steps.