Brand New Us Reel Baitcaster

[bigbill]

I just ordered a brand new US Reel 800 SX Hibdon super cast model. It has a unique line leveler that's suppose to make longer casts. I'm thinking if it's a good reel I may go for the better model. I never hear it mentioned here? I figured for just $79 its worth a try.

I did read one post on the tackle tour. I guess it's made in the USA. And it may need an upgrade to super tune it.

 

 

[aceman387]

I have had three of their spinning reels for over five years now and i have never had to do a thing to them besides lube them. I bought one because it was something different and i liked it so much i bought a couple more later on. I use them everyday.

[bigbill]

The line leveler on the bait caster operates like a see/saw that's what caught my eye it's different. I looked at the spinning reels with there larger diameter spools. I guess the US Reel company is going in the direction of making longer casts.

Maybe there's something to these reels.

[georgeyew]

I also have the Hibdon left handed model. I've heard that some of the level wind bar could be warped from the factory. But mine is fine. And I haven't had any issue with it. Just make sure to put the line under the level wind bar and reel it under some tension.

 

And I thought that the Hibdon was the highest end model in their line.

[bigbill]

They do offer more expensive models of the supercharger I believe.

I'm not sure how many different brands of the baitcasters I purchased so far but it's going to be fun using them all.

[aceman387]

I think you will hear some negative feedback coming soon on here but i haven't had a problem at all.I fish mainly gin clear strip pits and quarries so i bought them for their longer casting distance. I bought one of the bass pro shop versions and i prefer the U S ones i have.

[doomtrpr_z71]

Us reel actually doesn't make a reel in the US.

[roadwarrior]

I bought the original rod & reel package from Ray Scott.

It was a POS, but a couple of our members swear by the

newer models. The original reels were built in St. Louis,

but I think they are now outsourced to China.

[aceman387]

When the spinning reels first came out they were made here,now they are made in china like everybody else.

[bigbill]

There's a US REEL PRO 1000 supercaster $250, a 600 supercaster $49, a 700 supercaster, a 800 supercaster $130 on sale for $79.

There on sale at, my fishing goods. com

Every piece of new fishing equipment says made in China. Go back a few years and some of it says made in Korea. I have older Garcia reels I'm not sure where they were made but my d.a.m. quick reels say made in Germany. Sleezebay has tons of different brands of spinning reels, baitcaster reels and tackle there. First it was a few items now we're being invaded. The chinese akuna lures were 5 lures for $4 & $5 with free ship. Now there 1 or 2 for $3.49+ I guess there learning the American enterprise system. My $1.40+ $23 ship baitcaster ( Chinese) is still only $29 + $6 ship. They do come in right and left hand. I may get one for parts.Funny they can't speak our language but they learn the color green of our dollar really quick. I guess my people from the old country learned quick too but no one was watching them.

Someday the Chinese fishing equipment will be the top of the line. I have to say the bait caster in there already for the price. The spinning reels aren't bad but some need help yet.

[aceman387]

I almost bought one during the winter cabin fever suicidal lull time...lol  I even had an alex rod picked out to go with it,but  since i fish so much clear water and i love finesse fishing with smaller weightless soft plastics i wasn't sure if i had a need for it. I cant wait to hear your review on it Bill. This winter lull is approaching quickly and this might be the winter i buy myself a baitcasting  combo for my jig fishing.

[bigbill]

After Christmas we'll talk about a better rod for it. Right now I'll put it on a rod here.

[bigbill]

Come on guys I figured I get more truth about this reel wether it's bad or good. I'm a big guy I can handle the truth.

I just beat to a different drum I like different stuff.

[bigbill]

Since I make very long casts with my topwater rod with the okuma spinning reel from shore I may try a US spinning reel maybe next season or sooner. Then we can compare both rod setups for distance. Does anyone have experience with the US spinning reels with the longer casts?

[.RM.]

I bought the original rod & reel package from Ray Scott.

It was a POS, but a couple of our members swear by the

newer models. The original reels were built in St. Louis,

but I think they are now outsourced to China.

X2

From the website:

SuperCaster reels are manufactured to comply with strict U.S. Reel specifications and quality control standards in China.

I would like to know what the U.S. Reel spec & QC standards are....All of the reels MFG's I see are from the asian countries so what US spec are they talking about...

 

Tight Lines! 

[georgeyew]

..All of the reels MFG's I see are from the asian countries so what US spec are they talking about...

 

 

I think that they are talking about their company specs (US Reel) not United States specs.

[bigbill]

The parent US Reel Company like corporate headquarters is here in the states and they dictate and set the quality control standards to there manufacturing plant in China. But there engineering group is here. One way to tell is do they still use a USA address. it's the American way now to stay competitive in the market and profit wise. When I worked for Otis Elevator World Headquarters Engineering they have a manufacturing plant in just about every country. They also have joint ventures too. It's the only way they can still oversee all the operations from the US and still cut the manufacturing costs and still survive.

[Fishes in trees]

Back to the subject of US reels.  I've got a few of their spinning reels.  They work ok.  The larger one, a Supercaster 240 with the braid arbor installed is my go to reel for fishing jerk baits.  Using 14 lb Fireline and a fluorocarbon leader, I can throw Pointers and similar sized jerk baits as far as I want, and I am mostly immune to wind.  That isn't the case with me throwing jerk baits on bait casting equipment.  I've got 2 of the smaller 180 size.  I've got braid on them and I use them to throw weightless soft plastic stick baits.  No complaints on the smaller sized 180 spinning reels.   I've got one of the Hibdon 800 SX bait casters.   Cabelas had it on sale last Christmas for $40.  I used it for half a season and now it is on the bench.  Throwing a stream lined practice plug in my back yard, it performed ok.   Throwing lures, mostly spinner baits at the lake, not so much.  I got a number of back lashes, mostly throwing spinnerbaits.  It just became more trouble than it was worth.  When it comes to throwing spinner baits, it just can't compare to a Shimano Curado B or D or E model.  And it doesn't even start to compare to a Calcutta 200 TEGT, which is my favorite spinner bait reel.

 

I just chalked it up to experience, secure in the knowledge that I have spent $40 on stupider stuff.  I wouldn't even lend it to a buddy.  I would feel bad, like I had set him up to screw up.  I found the reel very "touchy" and not easy to consistently feather with my thumb.  I don't have the most educated thumb in the world, but it isn't a tard either.

 

Having dumped all this stuff about the US reel bait caster, I hope yours works OK for you.