Sales On Us Reels

[bigbill]

I notice the sales going on right now on all the US Reel in all there super casters right now. In there baitcasters and there spinning reels. I ordered there 800 Hibdon model for $79 and it lists for $120. I also orderd a US reel 600 baitcaster too. I really like the see/saw line leveler. I think it's design is friction free over the captured line levelers I'm sold on it without trying it yet.

Seeing these reasonably priced too there hard to pass up. I've been buying different brands if baitcasters just to see how they evolved to how each one performs. I'm on the outside looking in than most of you end product users. I look at the designs from both sides of the fence. I'm looking right now at what we get for a $100. I think

We can get a decent bait caster for around $100. There not entry level reels like many may seem. While I'm impressed with the more money I spend for one and the quality I'm seeing as they evolve. I was always wondering why the line leveler on all the normal baitcasters keep the line captured. I asked this before if you centered the captured line leveler before you casted to keep an even flow off the spool friction wise. You have to be losing some distance in your casts do to the line leveler being off to one side during your cast do to increased friction. Just put your line leveler

off to one side and hit the cast button and watch how the line comes off the spool at that angle. Then put the line leveler in the middle and hit the cast button and watch the line come off the spool in that position. I'm not saying the super caster is perfect but the design of there line leveler seems better than most of the others I have seen so far. I look forward to using them all side by side as I go. I will work my way up price wise too in the future. I'm still new to bait casting reels. Are there any more brands that use this see/saw type of line leveler? I find these reels very interesting design wise.

[webertime]

To a point it's a good idea...  The point where it's a nightmare is when you jerk the bait as you reel in line (jerkabit/fluke/spook/popper/jigging spoon).  You are mommentarily throwing slack into your line and it's actually coming off the line leveler as you retrieve.  You are changing the tension in spots on the line/spool (IE you are asking for backlashes). 

Lots of reels have level winds (line leveler) that move with the casted line, heck there's the T-Wing from Daiwa that works amazingly and is another concept addressing line friction.

[bigbill]

I have a 800 hibdon, a 610 lh and a Jimmy Houston 700.

On the way the 800 is here and it feels ok. To me right now the reel seems to turn with a lot less friction. I jumped into these with both feet. I'm looking forward to taking a bunch of these baitcasters out soon.

Having a line leveler that moves with the casted line. That sounds like a mother way to design it. But wouldn't that put more of a load on the spool when casting. But without seeing it I would think I has two bearings on the spool rather than a bushing and a bearing. I think they would consolidate for adding more friction by driving the line leveler during the cast.

[aceman387]

I can't wait to hear your review Bill. I have seen posts pop up the last 2-3 years inquiring about their baitcasters and nobody on here would respond.I guess not many people have bought them.

[bigbill]

Well I have the 800 & 600 in my hands right now and I removed both brake housings to find ball bearings on both ends of the spool on both reels. This is why I noticed the reel had less friction when I cranked it. We're looking at a price of $120 & $79 dollar reels with ball bearings on both ends of the spool rather than the norm being in this price range of one ball bearing and one bushing bearing. I figured the 600 would be different bearing wise but both have two ball bearings on the spool. I know we need a tear down inspection next. But so far for the price there looking good. Think about it. When they have the friction knob pushing against the solid bushing bearing that's more friction added to it when it turns. As where the ball bearing gets the load yet turns smoother.

I'm just saying about what I'm seeing. I have nothing to gain weTher it's good or bad I will tell the truth. I seen reports on other products other than fishing that we're iffy and when I purchased the same product it's performance was flawless much better than there test report was. I'm to the point I'd rather test/try it myself then give an honest evaluation on it.

[Jrob78]

All modern reels (that I've owned or opened up) have bearings at both end of the spool.  That isn't a measure of quality, anymore at least.

[bigbill]

But my quantums that are priced at $99 had only one ball bearing on the spool. My US reels the 600x lists for just $79. They do compare the US reels quality wise to the more expensive $200 reels. They do have a machined alumimum housing. Like I said the 700 will be here soon and next month I'll order the US Reel super caster 1000 PRO Model. That's there top of the line. I notice on the 1000 pro the see/saw line leveler has an adjustable height. We can raise and lower it with a turn of a knob. I like the way they feel on the rod in the palm of my hand too. They don't seem too much different than the other baitcasters but they don't look like a new Nissan front end. There not ugly.

[bigbill]

All modern reels (that I've owned or opened up) have bearings at both end of the spool.  That isn't a measure of quality, anymore at least.

How much did they cost to have ball bearings at both ends of the spool? What brand and model?

I'm just wondering now at what price range do we actually get a jump in quality? To me having more ball bearings is a leap in quality and performance. They are replacing bushing bearings on the brake side.

[roadwarrior]

Before making a judgement or pseudo review, maybe you should actually fish the reels for awhile.

I'm still waiting on a report on that $1.90 Chinese reel. I'm not sure "King of Junk" is something to 

wear on your sleeve.

[Jrob78]

How much did they cost to have ball bearings at both ends of the spool? What brand and model?

I'm just wondering now at what price range do we actually get a jump in quality? To me having more ball bearings is a leap in quality and performance. They are replacing bushing bearings on the brake side.

Daiwa, Shimano, Pflueger, Abu Garcia, BPS....those are the brands I have owned or cleaned up for friends.  All  reels probably $90 and up.  I would assume that most of the cheaper graphite framed reels from these brands have 2 bearings on the spool too but I can't say for certain.

[bigbill]

The Chinese bait caster doesn't feel too bad. I still think it's a knock off of someone else's reel. It is similar to the Garcia max. It works. Now made in China doesn't mean it's junk. After all just about everything that's fishing related comes from China. There beating the manufacturing costs and the environmental problems we have here with the manufacturing waste. Now I'm not saying all the bait casters on the auction site are good ones but I can say the two I have works and functions ok so far. I still think this one is comparable to a more expensive reel. Like I said they either cloned someone's reel or were already manufacturing this reel for someone and went out on there own. The auction site seems to be flooded with Chinese baitcasters and spinning reels and most of them have bidders too. I can say that the spinning reel I have from China model 4000 is iffy but the ultra lite 500 model seems to function a lot better. There are different manufacturers too. The Chinese crankbaits are getting more expensive and there reels are too. My baitcasters are now $29+ $6 for shipping. I think these baitcasters are well worth $50+ in today's market. There just as good as any other baitcaster I have in that price range.

RW. Are you up for a challenge? Like to try out a Chinese baitcaster for a test drive?

Right hand or left hand? It's on me. Just shoot me your address by email/message.

[bigbill]

Daiwa, Shimano, Pflueger, Abu Garcia, BPS....those are the brands I have owned or cleaned up for friends.  All  reels probably $90 and up.  I would assume that most of the cheaper graphite framed reels from these brands have 2 bearings on the spool too but I can't say for certain.

My BPS bait caster has a bushing bearing on the mag brake side. This was a more expensive reel on sale for $59.

[Fishes in trees]

I think I mentioned this on an earlier post, but I'll mention it again.   Last winter, Cabelas had the Hibdon 800 SX Supercaster on sale for around $40.   I got one.  It is an interesting design.  I fished with it for half a season.  It got benched.

Too many back lashes.  It casts a stream lined practice plug much better than it does any reasonable bass lure.  It absolutely stunk for worm/jig fishing, where very often you would have slack/loose line.  Too much slack line fishing and you are begging for a back lash on the next cast.    It has earned a place in my cat fishing gear, that gets wet once a year or so.

[bigbill]

That's not good news. Did you try keeping the line tighter? The people at US Reel did say in there instruction sheet about using there reel in the wind can cause line slack but holding the line between your fingers like we were installing line on the reel will avoid having line slack. I think this is the only draw back to this design. Bigbill

[Fishwhittler]

That's not good news. Did you try keeping the line tighter? The people at US Reel did say in there instruction sheet about using there reel in the wind can cause line slack but holding the line between your fingers like we were installing line on the reel will avoid having line slack. I think this is the only draw back to this design. Bigbill

 

The issue suggests taut-line applications such as crankbaits and spinnerbaits would be best for these reels.

[ww2farmer]

I don't get it. With the amount of money you have spent on garbage, you could have had a couple decent reels from Abu, shimano, daiwa, etc.... It's one thing to be frugal and on a tight budget, lord knows I am, but IMHO, your being very foolish with your money, and your ramblings about the minutiae of disposable equipment make no sense to me.

[bigbill]

I'm having fun looking at and trying all the different brands of baitcasters. I'm frugal but with all you guys talking me into moving up into the better stuff I will in time. If I was going to stop I'd a stopped at the Chinese bait caster. But I liked the design of the US reel super casters. They feel good on the rod too. Since not that many people have them I kind of like the under dog too. I have a little extra mad money to play with. I found my nitch in spinning reels when I purchased the Finor and the Okuma reels. Now I'm looking for the perfect baitcasting reel. Right now I think the US reel is it but time on the water will tell. I need to take my last six baitcaster purchases and get them wet next. I retired and don't smoke, drink or get out that much unless it's to fish so I save gas money too. I'm addicted to fishing tackle. Is there an program

for this addiction too? Bait Monkey or Tackle Monkey?

[bigbill]

I must make a correction. First my baitcaster reel from China has spool ball bearings on both ends of the spool. My new quantum code red bait caster that lists for $99 has ball bearings on both sides of the spool. Please forgive for missing this I've looked at so many reels I need to make a check list on how there built. Im thinking as we get closer to $100 cost were seeing ball bearings on both ends of the

spools in some reels. To me it's a smoother running reel plus less friction on the casts.

[SirSnookalot]

Before making a judgement or pseudo review, maybe you should actually fish the reels for awhile.

I'm still waiting on a report on that $1.90 Chinese reel. I'm not sure "King of Junk" is something to 

wear on your sleeve.

With all due respect these reviews are worthless to me, appears more about spending time on line rather than really testing the equipment. 

As far as I'm concerned a brand new reel cannot be fairly reviewed (I don't care who the manufacturer is) until it has been fished with for several months under all types of conditions.  One component of a review is it's durability, how can that be determined from 1 outing.  I appreciate the inquisitive mind in wanting to know how a reel is constructed, my mind doesn't function that way.  All I want to know is how a reel is fairing in a year after lots and lots of fish are caught.  I'm eagerly awaiting a review dated 10/2/2014.

[bigbill]

SirSnook,

You are so right. I look forward to hammering on them all for a year like your saying and then some. I can squeeze in sometime in 2013 till the ice is on. I just put out six different brand new baitcaster setups to take out soon. Bill

[SirSnookalot]

Good luck. I'll say this to the day I die, only real thing that matters is the fish being caught. Where as I like nice gear I won't allow myself to get too hung up on it.