Zebco Omega Z03 Versus Zebco Omega Z03Pro.

[new2BC4bass]

Okay before you flame me I am looking at one of these reels for my daughter's boyfriend.  He refuses to try spinning or baitcast reels.  I've given him the opportunity to try both.  No dice.  I'd like to give him a new outfit for Christmas.  He bass fishes, but not often.

 

TT has a review from '03 on the Omega Z03.  Can't find anything on the Z03Pro.  Is the Pro worth the extra money for an occasional fisherman?   A couple differences I'm aware of are a 20% lighter body for the Pro and a 3.4 versus a 2.9 gear ratio.  Also I believe the Pro has 2 more bearings and I think I read something about a bait thingamajig.  What are some other differences?

 

Personally I would prefer the lighter body and faster retrieve of the Pro, but the reel isn't for me.  Thoughts?  Thanks.

 

 

 

[Catt]

Zebco 33 Platinum

All metal construction

4.1:1 gear ratio

5 stainless steel bearings

Continuous anti reverse

$32.00 Wal/Mart

[Jaderose]

Daiwa Silvercast.  My last Spincast before seeing the light.  Good, rugged reel that I still use occasionally if I'm just going to catch some dinks at a local park pond for an hour or so.  My PB was actually caught on it  Cheaper than either of those and easy to use.

[Darren.]

i'd go with the Pro. Reasons you outlined, 

lighter, higher gear ratio, enough to go up.

 

Personally, I actually prefer an underspin 

reel like the Abu 276U

[BobP]

If the choice is the Omega, I go with the Pro model.  I have an early Omegas and the reason I never use it is the excessive weight - it's a real heavy metal boat anchor!

[greentrout]

I'm not going to flame on you or snicker and you should not feel embarrassed if you use a spin cast. I've been in the boat with some who use them a lot. I use them when I'm in tight quarters. For example: I have fished homes located close to the water with canals running through the subdivision with docks, piers, boats and other objects in these canals. Can be pretty tight at times. Ever fished and said good morning to a resident sitting on their back patio area?

 

The spin cast works for me in these quarters to skip and make very short casts. I have used Zebco, Johnson & Shakespeare spin cast and I'm not embarrassed in the least.  Any of these will get the job done.

 

Merry Christmas

 

Old school basser...

[new2BC4bass]

The Platinum sounds like a good reel for the money, but Walmart was sold out when I checked their website earlier today.  I had a Daiwa Minicast combo 30-40 years ago and was not impressed.  Six of my 9 spinning reels are Daiwas.  Slightly over half my baitcast reels are Daiwas.  However, I'm not sold on their spincast reels.  I'll do some more research, but as of right now I am definitely leaning towards one of the Zebcos.

 

I hadn't thought about an underspin, but I like the idea because as a general rule it seems you can get a good spinning rod for less than a good baitcast rod.  Haven't researched that, tho.  Also I think an underspin would be easier to hold since it would be held like a spinning reel versus balancing a heavy reel on top of the rod in front of your hand.

 

It may be a belated Christmas gift, but I don't want to rush into a purchase just to have a gift for him right now.  Neither of us will be doing any fishing for the next few months. 

 

I thank you all for your suggestions.

 

EDIT:  Well underspin is lout.  Daughter says it wouldn't use it.

[kingmotorboat]

Ive used a spincast zebco for a drop shot before. No shame in my fishing game.

[Bluebasser86]

I've fished with both and they're both very nice for spincasting gear. If I were buying one for me I'd want the higher gear ratio though.